PORTLAND THORNS CELEBRATE SINCLAIR WITH 3-0 WIN OVER ANGEL CITY
Sinclair celebrates 200 NWSL regular-season appearance
with a goal to send Portland into the playoffs.
PORTLAND, Oregon (Friday, November 1, 2024) – The Portland Thorns (10-12-4, 34 points, 6th place) clinched a place in the NWSL postseason with a 3-0 win over Angel City FC to close out the regular season. First half goals from Christine Sinclair, Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver secured the points on a night honoring Sinclair’s final regular-season match of her storied career.
The Thorns dominated possession and the offensive chances in the first half, outshooting Angel City 7-2, going into halftime with a 3-0 lead. Celebrating her 200th NWSL regular season appearance, Sinclair opened the scoring in the 16th minute, scooping up a blocked shot to calmy chip it into the back of the net.
Smith doubled the Thorns’ lead in the 26th minute from a strong counter attack after Sam Coffey had won the ball back in midfield. Coffey fed Smith into space on the left, who took three touches into the box before finishing with a low shot across goal into the lower right corner.
Weaver sent Portland into halftime and ultimately full-time with a 3-0 lead from a Hina Sugita cross. Patient play from Smith shifted the ball from right to left through Jessie Fleming and Sinclair until Hina lofted a cross for Weaver to head home at the far post.
Despite the visiting team coming out with three half-chances to start the second half, none challenged goalkeeper Shelby Hogan, who kept her ninth clean sheet of the season, second-most in the NWSL. Sinclair received a standing ovation as she was subbed out in the 83rd minute, replaced by Meghan Klingenberg.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns head into the NWSL playoffs, but will have to wait on other results to know their final seeding placement.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN:
POR: Christine Sinclair, 16th minute: From a Sophia Smith shot initially saved by Didi Haracic, Sinclair collected the rebound to lift a left-footed shot over the stranded goalkeeper.
POR: Sophia Smith, 26th minute: After Sam Coffey won the ball back at the halfway line, she played Smith into space on the left to dribble into the box and slot a low shot into the lower right corner.
POR: Morgan Weaver, 45+4 minute: From a Hina Sugita cross from the left, Weaver came in to head the ball home at the far post.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Nicole Payne, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller, Jessie Fleming, Sam Coffey (Sophie Hurst, 90+3), Hina Sugita (Olivia Moultrie, 72’), Morgan Weaver (Alexa Spaanstra, 72’), Sophia Smith (Payton Linnehan 46’), Christine Sinclair © (Meghan Klingenberg, 83’)
Subs not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze, Izzy D’Aquila, Reilyn Turner
Angel City FC (4-3-3): Didi Haracic, Gisele Thompson, Megan Reid, Sarah Gorden (c), Jasmyne Spencer (Elizabeth Eddy, 74’), Katie Zelem, Meggie Dougherty Howard (Lily Nabet, 77’), Madison Hammond, M.A. Vignola (Alyssa Thompson, 64’), Sydney Leroux (Messiah Bright, 64’), Christen Press (Claire Emslie, 64’)
Subs not used: Angelina Anderson, Rocky Rodriguez, Casey Phair, Katie Johnson
PORTLAND THORNS CELEBRATE SINCLAIR WITH 3-0 WIN OVER ANGEL CITY
Sinclair celebrates 200 NWSL regular-season appearance
with a goal to send Portland into the playoffs.
PORTLAND, Oregon (Friday, November 1, 2024) – The Portland Thorns (10-12-4, 34 points, 6th place) clinched a place in the NWSL postseason with a 3-0 win over Angel City FC to close out the regular season. First half goals from Christine Sinclair, Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver secured the points on a night honoring Sinclair’s final regular-season match of her storied career.
The Thorns dominated possession and the offensive chances in the first half, outshooting Angel City 7-2, going into halftime with a 3-0 lead. Celebrating her 200th NWSL regular season appearance, Sinclair opened the scoring in the 16th minute, scooping up a blocked shot to calmy chip it into the back of the net.
Smith doubled the Thorns’ lead in the 26th minute from a strong counter attack after Sam Coffey had won the ball back in midfield. Coffey fed Smith into space on the left, who took three touches into the box before finishing with a low shot across goal into the lower right corner.
Weaver sent Portland into halftime and ultimately full-time with a 3-0 lead from a Hina Sugita cross. Patient play from Smith shifted the ball from right to left through Jessie Fleming and Sinclair until Hina lofted a cross for Weaver to head home at the far post.
Despite the visiting team coming out with three half-chances to start the second half, none challenged goalkeeper Shelby Hogan, who kept her ninth clean sheet of the season, second-most in the NWSL. Sinclair received a standing ovation as she was subbed out in the 83rd minute, replaced by Meghan Klingenberg.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns head into the NWSL playoffs, but will have to wait on other results to know their final seeding placement.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN:
POR: Christine Sinclair, 16th minute: From a Sophia Smith shot initially saved by Didi Haracic, Sinclair collected the rebound to lift a left-footed shot over the stranded goalkeeper.
POR: Sophia Smith, 26th minute: After Sam Coffey won the ball back at the halfway line, she played Smith into space on the left to dribble into the box and slot a low shot into the lower right corner.
POR: Morgan Weaver, 45+4 minute: From a Hina Sugita cross from the left, Weaver came in to head the ball home at the far post.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Nicole Payne, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller, Jessie Fleming, Sam Coffey (Sophie Hurst, 90+3), Hina Sugita (Olivia Moultrie, 72’), Morgan Weaver (Alexa Spaanstra, 72’), Sophia Smith (Payton Linnehan 46’), Christine Sinclair © (Meghan Klingenberg, 83’)
Subs not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze, Izzy D’Aquila, Reilyn Turner
Angel City FC (4-3-3): Didi Haracic, Gisele Thompson, Megan Reid, Sarah Gorden (c), Jasmyne Spencer (Elizabeth Eddy, 74’), Katie Zelem, Meggie Dougherty Howard (Lily Nabet, 77’), Madison Hammond, M.A. Vignola (Alyssa Thompson, 64’), Sydney Leroux (Messiah Bright, 64’), Christen Press (Claire Emslie, 64’)
Subs not used: Angelina Anderson, Rocky Rodriguez, Casey Phair, Katie Johnson
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