PORTLAND, Oregon (Friday, October 11, 2024) – Portland Thorns (9-11-5, 31 points, 7th place) earned a shutout victory over the league leading and unbeaten Orlando Pride with goals from Morgan Weaver and Christine Sinclair, on either side of the halftime break, as well as a clean sheet from Shelby Hogan. The Club sits above the playoff line with two regular-season matches remaining, and with a win next weekend over Racing Louisville the Thorns could clinch its league-leading 10th postseason berth.
The Thorns took the early lead when a corner kick saw Reyna Reyes heading a ball towards an oncoming Morgan Weaver, who easily toe-poked the ball into the back of the net to jump out in front. The goal marked Weaver’s third of the year, while also serving as the first professional assist for Reyes.
Orlando’s first, and only, real opportunity at goal in the first half came in the 16th minute from Julie Doyle, but Shelby Hogan was easily able to make the save. The Thorns continued to maintain the lead for the next half hour, taking the 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
Exactly 10 minutes into the second half Christine Sinclair doubled the lead, connecting on a pass from Sam Coffey before skipping a shot into the bottom-right corner of the goal, marking her 80th goal, across all competitions, as a member of the Thorns. Sinclair holds the record for most goals in NWSL history scored with a single club, and is one away from tying Lynn Williams (79) for most goals across all league competitions.
The Thorns’ stalwart would go on to hold off Orlando’s attacking force, limiting them to just a few chances for the remainder of the half, with Hogan wrapping up nearly every opportunity on her way to recording her eighth clean sheet of the season (second-most in NWSL) and securing the 2-0 victory.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns are set to face Vancouver Whitecaps in the final game of the Concacaf W Champions Cup Group Stage in Canada on Tuesday, October 15 at 7:00 p.m. PT.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN:
POR: Morgan Weaver (Reyna Reyes) 13th minute: From a corner kick, Reyes headed the ball towards goal, where Weaver was able to stick her foot out and redirect her shot past the goalkeeper.
POR: Christine Sinclair (Sam Coffey) 54th minute: Coffey sent a short pass to Sinclair at the top of the box, who turned and hit a shot, across her body, skipping it into the back of the net.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn, Isabella Obaze, Nicole Payne, Jessie Fleming, Sam Coffey, Morgan Weaver (Izzy D’Aquila 63’), Olivia Moultrie (Alex Spaanstra 90+1’), Payton Linnehan (Marissa Sheva 80’), Christine Sinclair (Marie Müller 80’)
Subs not used: Kat Asman, Mallie McKenzie, Sophie Hirst, Kelli Hubly
Orlando Pride (4-3-3): Anna Moorhouse, Carson Pickett (Barbra Banda 65’), Kylie Strom, Cori Dyke, Carrie Lawrence (Emily Sams 65’), Evelina Duljan (Adriana 65’), Kerry Abello, Summer Yates (Ally Lemos 58’), Angelina, Julie Doyle, Ally Watt (Marta 76’)
Subs not used: McKinley Crone, Haley MCutcheon, Viviana Villacorta, Morgan Gautrat
PORTLAND, Oregon (Friday, October 11, 2024) – Portland Thorns (9-11-5, 31 points, 7th place) earned a shutout victory over the league leading and unbeaten Orlando Pride with goals from Morgan Weaver and Christine Sinclair, on either side of the halftime break, as well as a clean sheet from Shelby Hogan. The Club sits above the playoff line with two regular-season matches remaining, and with a win next weekend over Racing Louisville the Thorns could clinch its league-leading 10th postseason berth.
The Thorns took the early lead when a corner kick saw Reyna Reyes heading a ball towards an oncoming Morgan Weaver, who easily toe-poked the ball into the back of the net to jump out in front. The goal marked Weaver’s third of the year, while also serving as the first professional assist for Reyes.
Orlando’s first, and only, real opportunity at goal in the first half came in the 16th minute from Julie Doyle, but Shelby Hogan was easily able to make the save. The Thorns continued to maintain the lead for the next half hour, taking the 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
Exactly 10 minutes into the second half Christine Sinclair doubled the lead, connecting on a pass from Sam Coffey before skipping a shot into the bottom-right corner of the goal, marking her 80th goal, across all competitions, as a member of the Thorns. Sinclair holds the record for most goals in NWSL history scored with a single club, and is one away from tying Lynn Williams (79) for most goals across all league competitions.
The Thorns’ stalwart would go on to hold off Orlando’s attacking force, limiting them to just a few chances for the remainder of the half, with Hogan wrapping up nearly every opportunity on her way to recording her eighth clean sheet of the season (second-most in NWSL) and securing the 2-0 victory.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns are set to face Vancouver Whitecaps in the final game of the Concacaf W Champions Cup Group Stage in Canada on Tuesday, October 15 at 7:00 p.m. PT.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN:
POR: Morgan Weaver (Reyna Reyes) 13th minute: From a corner kick, Reyes headed the ball towards goal, where Weaver was able to stick her foot out and redirect her shot past the goalkeeper.
POR: Christine Sinclair (Sam Coffey) 54th minute: Coffey sent a short pass to Sinclair at the top of the box, who turned and hit a shot, across her body, skipping it into the back of the net.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn, Isabella Obaze, Nicole Payne, Jessie Fleming, Sam Coffey, Morgan Weaver (Izzy D’Aquila 63’), Olivia Moultrie (Alex Spaanstra 90+1’), Payton Linnehan (Marissa Sheva 80’), Christine Sinclair (Marie Müller 80’)
Subs not used: Kat Asman, Mallie McKenzie, Sophie Hirst, Kelli Hubly
Orlando Pride (4-3-3): Anna Moorhouse, Carson Pickett (Barbra Banda 65’), Kylie Strom, Cori Dyke, Carrie Lawrence (Emily Sams 65’), Evelina Duljan (Adriana 65’), Kerry Abello, Summer Yates (Ally Lemos 58’), Angelina, Julie Doyle, Ally Watt (Marta 76’)
Subs not used: McKinley Crone, Haley MCutcheon, Viviana Villacorta, Morgan Gautrat
