PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC wrapped up their 2022 Preseason Tournament on Friday night, defeating the Chicago Red Stars, 1-0, on a game-winning goal from rookie midfielder Sam Coffey, at Providence Park.
Forward Sophia Smith – the Thorns leading goal-scorer during the Preseason Tournament – hit the goal frame twice in a two-minute span in the 71st and 73rd minutes. It was Smith’s second attempt off the left post that deflected back onto the path of Coffey, and Coffey smashed in the game’s lone goal in the 73rd minute from outside the area.
The Thorns wrapped up their Preseason Tournament with back-to-back wins to finish with a 2-0-1 record across their three games, as the club prepares for the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup and upcoming regular season.
In total, 22 different players saw action for the Thorns during the preseason tournament. Defenders Emily Menges and Natalia Kuikka each started all three matches for the club, as Portland shut out all three of its opponents. Goalkeeper Abby Smith and Portland Thorns FC Academy midfielder Haley Miller both made their preseason debuts in Friday’s win.
Portland begins group play in the NWSL Challenge Cup on Friday, March 18, on the road against OL Reign at Lumen Field; kickoff is 7 p.m. (Pacific). Joining the Thorns and OL Reign in the group are NWSL expansion clubs Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC.
All six of the Thorns group stage matches of the NWSL Challenge Cup will air live on Paramount+.
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Sam Coffee, 73rd minute: Sophia Smith attempted a shot that deflected off the base of the left post. The ball bounced into space at the top of the box, and Coffee ran onto the ball and hit a curling shot inside the right post for the game-winning goal.
Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars (NWSL Preseason)
March 11, 2022 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Scoring Summary:
POR: Coffey, 73
Misconduct Summary:
None
Lineups:
POR: GK A. Smith, D Nally (Provenzano, 64), D Menges, D Hubly, D Klingenberg, M Kuikka (Beckman, 64), M Sugita (Porter, 64), M Everett (Ryan, 46), M Coffey (Miller, 91), F S. Smith (Betfort, 77), F Sinclair © (Weaver, 64)
Attendance: 7,397
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
