Morgan Weaver and Sam Coffey bring the heroics to rescue draw against Racing Louisville FC.
PORTLAND, Oregon (Saturday, March 30, 2024) – Portland Thorns FC (0-2-1, 1 point) completed a come-from-behind draw with second-half goals from Morgan Weaver and Sam Coffey to earn the 2-2 result.
Louisville quickly put Portland on their back heels with two goals in the first six minutes from Uchenna Kanu, leaving the Thorns chasing the match. With the two-goal lead in hand, Louisville was content to sit back and preserve the lead for the remainder of the half, not allowing Portland any clear chances to try and cut the deficit.
Coming out of the halftime break, second-half substitute Meghan Klingenberg nearly pulled one back in the 51st minute, but Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund was able to get a finger to the ball and push it out for a corner kick. In the ensuing corner kick, a poor clearance from Racing led to chaos inside the penalty box. The ball fell to the feet of Sophia Smith, who played a short pass to Morgan Weaver, allowing the forward to slot a curling ball into the far post to cut the scoreline in half.
Portland continued to fight for the equalizer, pestering Louisville’s backline, but the Thorns were unable to find the elusive second goal in regulation.
In the ninth minute of stoppage time, defender Kelli Hubly slotted a short pass forward to Sam Coffey who drove towards goal and through several defenders, before launching a shot past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. With the score level 2-2, Portland continued to press for the game winner, but were unable to find it before the final whistle blew.
UP NEXT: Portland Thorns FC, along with the rest of the NWSL, will enter a week-long international break, before returning to league play on April 13 against North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park – kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. PT.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
LOU: Uchenna Kanu, 3rd minute: Kanu received the ball inside the 18-yard-box where she took a couple touches to her outside before cutting across her body and tucking her shot into the lower-right corner of the goal.
LOU: Uchenna Kanu (Reilyn Turner) 6th minute: Turner crossed a deep ball towards the penalty area where Kanu was able to rise up above two defenders and flick the ball into the back of the net.
POR: Morgan Weaver (Sophia Smith) 52nd minute: After a poor clearance inside the box, Smith found herself with the ball at her feet, where she played a short pass to Weaver on her left. Upon receiving the ball, Weaver hit a curling shot into the far-side netting.
POR: Sam Coffey (Kelli Hubly) 99th minute: Hubly slotted a short pass to Coffey outside the top of the 18-yard-box who then drove towards goal before ripping a shot into the top of the goal.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Marie Müller, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Reyna Reyes (Meghan Klingenberg 46’), Olivia Moultrie (Hina Sugita 46’), Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming, Morgan Weaver, Sophia Smith, Janine Beckie (Izzy D’Aquila 64’)
Subs not used: Lauren Kozal, Isabella Obaze, Marissa Sheva, Christine Sinclair, Olivia Wade-Katoa
Racing Louisville (4-4-2): Katie Lund, Carson Pickett, Abby Erceg, Elli Pikkujämsä (Ellie Jean 72’), Lauren Milliet, Jaelin Howell, Taylor Flint, Uchenna Kanu, Kayla Fischer (Marisa DiGrande 72’), Elexa Bahr (Emma Sears 56’), Reilyn Turner (Parker Goins 72’)
Subs not used: Jordyn Bloomer, Linda Motlhalo, Maddie Pokorny, Jordan Paggett
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:POR: Jessie Fleming (caution) 24’
