HARRISON, New Jersey (Saturday, August 24, 2024) – Portland Thorns (8-7-1, 27 points) suffered a 2-0 loss in the team’s first game back from the Olympic break.
The defending NWSL Champions took the early lead when Ella Stevens flicked her header past goalkeeper Shelby Hogan in the seventh minute. Gotham looked to double their lead in the 26th minute, but a defensive save from Becky Sauebrunn and a save from Hogan kept the ball out of the back of the net.
The Thorns struggled to find offensive momentum throughout the first half, unable to threaten Gotham’s backline, entering the halftime break with a one-goal deficit.
Minutes into the second half, midfielder Olivia Moultire nearly found the equalizer, her shot forcing Gotham goalkeeper to make a finger-tip save, preventing what appeared to be a sure goal. In the 61st minute the Thorns were mere inches away from finding the back of the net, when the ball bounced over Gotham’s goalkeeper, but the crossbar deflected the ball forward and a defender was able to clear it out of danger.
Gotham doubled the lead in the 70th minute with Yazmeen Ryan slotting her shot into the bottom-right corner of the goal, giving the home team the 2-0 lead. The Thorns would be unable to erase the deficit, suffering the 2-0 road loss.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns return to Providence Park on Saturday, Saturday, August 30 to host Bay FC at 7:00 p.m. PT. Tickets are available at www.thorns.com.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN
GFC: Ella Stevens (Bruninha) 7th minute: From near the sideline, Bruninha sent a long cross towards the penalty box, where Stevens was able to hea the ball into the back of the net.
GFC: Yazmeen Ryan (Rose Lavelle) 70th minute: Lavelle sent a short pass to Ryan who launched a shot into the bottom-right corner of the goal.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes (Nicole Payne 67’), Kelli Hubly, Becky Sauerbrunn, Marie Müller, Hina Sugita, Olivia Moultrie, Jessie Fleming (Meghan Klingenberg 78’), Alexa Spaanstra (Mallie McKenzie 78’), Christine Sinclair (Reilyn Turner 56’), Izzy D’Aquila (Payton Linnehan 56’)
Subs not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze, Olivia Wade-Katoa, Marissa Sheba
Gotham FC (4-4-2): Ann-Katrin Berger, Bruninha, Emily Sonnet (Tierna Davidson 54’), Jess Carter, Nealy Martin, Delanie Sheehan, Yazmeen Ryan, Jenna Nighswonger (Mandy Freeman 46’), Esther Gonzalez, Ella Stevens (Rose Lavelle 54’), Katie Stengel (McCall Zerboni 83’()
Subs not used: Michelle Betos, Cassie Miller, Kelly O’Hara, Taryn Torrres, Maitana Lopez
HARRISON, New Jersey (Saturday, August 24, 2024) – Portland Thorns (8-7-1, 27 points) suffered a 2-0 loss in the team’s first game back from the Olympic break.
The defending NWSL Champions took the early lead when Ella Stevens flicked her header past goalkeeper Shelby Hogan in the seventh minute. Gotham looked to double their lead in the 26th minute, but a defensive save from Becky Sauebrunn and a save from Hogan kept the ball out of the back of the net.
The Thorns struggled to find offensive momentum throughout the first half, unable to threaten Gotham’s backline, entering the halftime break with a one-goal deficit.
Minutes into the second half, midfielder Olivia Moultire nearly found the equalizer, her shot forcing Gotham goalkeeper to make a finger-tip save, preventing what appeared to be a sure goal. In the 61st minute the Thorns were mere inches away from finding the back of the net, when the ball bounced over Gotham’s goalkeeper, but the crossbar deflected the ball forward and a defender was able to clear it out of danger.
Gotham doubled the lead in the 70th minute with Yazmeen Ryan slotting her shot into the bottom-right corner of the goal, giving the home team the 2-0 lead. The Thorns would be unable to erase the deficit, suffering the 2-0 road loss.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns return to Providence Park on Saturday, Saturday, August 30 to host Bay FC at 7:00 p.m. PT. Tickets are available at www.thorns.com.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN
GFC: Ella Stevens (Bruninha) 7th minute: From near the sideline, Bruninha sent a long cross towards the penalty box, where Stevens was able to hea the ball into the back of the net.
GFC: Yazmeen Ryan (Rose Lavelle) 70th minute: Lavelle sent a short pass to Ryan who launched a shot into the bottom-right corner of the goal.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes (Nicole Payne 67’), Kelli Hubly, Becky Sauerbrunn, Marie Müller, Hina Sugita, Olivia Moultrie, Jessie Fleming (Meghan Klingenberg 78’), Alexa Spaanstra (Mallie McKenzie 78’), Christine Sinclair (Reilyn Turner 56’), Izzy D’Aquila (Payton Linnehan 56’)
Subs not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze, Olivia Wade-Katoa, Marissa Sheba
Gotham FC (4-4-2): Ann-Katrin Berger, Bruninha, Emily Sonnet (Tierna Davidson 54’), Jess Carter, Nealy Martin, Delanie Sheehan, Yazmeen Ryan, Jenna Nighswonger (Mandy Freeman 46’), Esther Gonzalez, Ella Stevens (Rose Lavelle 54’), Katie Stengel (McCall Zerboni 83’()
Subs not used: Michelle Betos, Cassie Miller, Kelly O’Hara, Taryn Torrres, Maitana Lopez
