All the postgame videos and quotes from the 3-0 home victory over the Chicago Red Stars
Portland Thorns head coach Rhian Wilkinson
General thoughts on the match…
“Really, really proud coach. We talked about for the last couple games about it being in our control and just the way [the Thorns] show up and play and how they find a way, it's pretty spectacular and I'm very proud.”
On Sophia Smith’s status and if she was checked for a concussion…
“It looked like it to be honest. I went over just to check that she was okay. I don't know what that means. She's going to be checked out thoroughly, but we don't know anything right now.
On the team’s performance in an important match…
“I don't think we can underestimate the importance of the first half in a few of our games because we just wear teams down. The second half fatigue, we've actually really made them work, so spaces open up and we took advantage of them. Fantastic goal by Taylor Porter, but the runs getting in by Morgan [Weaver], [Sophia Smith] kept going. It was just an all-around fantastic performance. And I do have to highlight again the fantastic defensive work from Bella [Bixby] all the way forward. I thought we've gotten better and better through the season and we're very hard to beat when we’re organized.
On Morgan Weaver’s two-goal performance…
“Her teammates who created those opportunities were huge as well. But she's been working on that with Mike Norris, my assistant. I think they did it yesterday and so she ran over and give him a big hug afterwards. But she works so hard. She creates so many opportunities for her teammates, so it's nice to see her score a few times.”
On Sam Coffey’s performance and development…
“I'll never get tired of answering questions about my players because they really are fabulous. And then [Taylor Porter] comes on and scores a worldie. You know, it's just a privilege to work with them. Sam, I think you can see her development throughout the year and just her confidence on the ball and what she can do in the spaces as she likes to explore. Again, I think it's a testament to my staff that have worked really closely with her because she's nowhere near the final product. It's been great to watch her just continue to push and develop and she's got even more in her, but she really does keep this team ticking over and keeping the ball moving. Then Taylor came in and did the same thing.
On Sam Coffey’s status…
“No, I actually have not met with the medical staff yet so I don't want to speak out of turn but I wouldn't be surprised if she was cramping but she worked pretty hard.”
On the team wearing “We Are BG” t-shirts…
“Yeah, I think our last home game of the regular season, it's a nod — of course — to an incredible athlete who needs support and encouragement, needs to be kept in the public eye. I also think the NWSL is and always has been a very strong voice for those that are unseen, unheard or been forgotten. I don't usually wear much other than black, but I do think this is one that needed to be worn and just make sure the conversation is still happening because one of our own is in a bad situation and we've got work to do.”
On watching teams move up and down the NWSL table this season…
“I think I've annoyed a lot of people because I give this answer and I truly believe that watching the table is a waste of time. We can only control what we do. For the fans and for the observers I think it's fantastic for the league. Just so many top teams and how close it is. There's no sort of teams that have taken off and are unreachable. It's going to come down to the wire. But we take it one game at a time and we talk about it a lot because it really is easy to get distracted or put more pressure. Pressure is perceived. It's what you're deciding to look at when in fact we can only control what we do. The table takes care of itself if we take care of what we do as the Thorns — and we've been doing that and it won't be any different for the next game.”
Portland Thorns forward Morgan Weaver
General thoughts on today’s game…
“A lot of emotions. I guess I'm really excited, really happy. We have worked so hard this year, and I think it just keeps showing every day on the field. You know, there's times where we haven't won games. Our supporters were here for us, and we knew we had their backs and we wanted to do it for us as well. So today, we went out there and we just wanted to play fine soccer and I think that was the biggest thing for us.”
On the team having a shot at back-to-back NWSL shields…
“Yeah, I think it's awesome. But you know, honestly, we're not looking at that, we're looking at we have one more game and we need to go out there and win our next game, and then we'll think about it.”
On scoring two goals…
“I feel like the whole game [Chicago was] kind of giving me the outside. So this time, I just took it and hit the ball. The second goal was all because of Sophia [Smith] I was just there, right place, right time. She laid it back perfectly and I was there so that was really cool and really special. Sophia and I've been working a lot better each time we play together. So we're finding each other more and more and so it's been a really fun time.”
On if she was going for the hat-trick…
“If it happened it happened. If it didn't, I was not worried about it. I wanted honestly everyone on my team to score. The thing that was our goal is who can score it. There's so many opportunities, so we could have had a few. We've all worked so hard for it, and I think we're continuing to get better. And it's not just one person scoring, it's multiple people, which is super exciting. And Taylor’s [Porter] goal — oh my gosh — I got chills. I was sitting there and I was like, Oh my gosh, did anyone see my legs? They're
like, prickly. Such a good goal.”
On taking advantage of other teams focusing on defending Sophia Smith…
“I think everyone's big focus is Sophia, she’s phenomenal. She can get behind players. She can work her way and do whatever she really wants. And I think it's awesome. And I think if they're focused on that, we have 10 other people on the field that can be there and do the things that need to be done. So I think it's really special. It's something cool because we have a big depth”
On having fun celebrating goals…
“I think it's super fun. The men get to celebrate why can't we, so I think we take advantage of it. You know, Labonta, her celebrations have been phenomenal. Love them. And so I think it's fun. It's something that we get to do and you know, some players don't want to celebrate like that. And that's completely their choice, but some players do and I think Kelly and I just kind of make it fun for each other, we think of random things. So now we gotta wait for next game and see what happens.”
Portland Thorns defender Natalia Kuikka
General thoughts on today’s game…
“I thought it was a good game. We worked really hard as a team and made sure we didn’t give Chicago any chances on goal. The fans showed up today which is nice. It was nice, maybe a little too hot, but we suck it up and performed well and got those three points.”
On dealing with the physicality of the game…
“I think we did really well. When someone went to battle and an opponent beat us, we had another right there helping so we were never isolated one on one. We worked well as a team, and did well in the physical game.”
On Morgan Weaver’s performance…
“I think it was outstanding. It’s awesome that we have more goal scorers than just Sophia (Smith), everyone’s contributing. It’s like Taylor [Porter] scoring as well, we have strong players coming in from the bench. It’s nice to have depth on the team.”
On signing an extension to stay with the Thorns…
“I have really enjoyed my time here. The training environment and my teammates are really good. I think I’m learning more every time I go out there and I think there is still much to learn. I think it’s a good environment for me to stay and settle down for a bit. I fell in love with Portland so it’s nice staying here and making it feel more like home.”
