PORTLAND, Oregon (Wednesday, September 4, 2024) – Portland Thorns (0-0-0, 0 points) began Concacaf W Champions Cup with a 3-1 win thanks to a brace from Christine Sinclair and a third from Reilyn Turner.
The Thorns started the match on the front foot, with captain Christine Sinclair rocketing off a shot from distance in the 13th minute to give Portland the 1-0 lead. Sinclair doubled the lead in the 28th minute, connecting on an assist from Marie Müller, earning herself the brace with a cleanly struck shot from the top of the box. Club América looked to cut the lead in half in the 31st minute with a point-blank shot in front of goal, but Kelli Hubly was able to slide into the ball, pushing it out of danger.
The visiting side’s best chance at goal came in the 36th minute, but a full-stretched save from Mackenzie Arnold sent the ball out for a corner kick, which the Thorns’ defense was able to easily dispel. Shortly thereafter, the two sides headed into the halftime break with Portland leading 2-0.
Portland was quick to find its third goal of the night coming out of the halftime break, with Reilyn Turner heading in a corner-kick cross from Olivia Moultrie in the 52nd minute. Just a minute later Club América pulled one back, with Irene Guerrero scoring in the 53rd minute.
Despite consistent pressure from Club América, the Thorns were able to maintain the two-goal lead, taking the 3-1 win in the first game of the Concacaf W Champions Cup.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns return to regular season play against Washington Spirit on Saturday, September 7 with kickoff from Audi Field set for 9:30 a.m. PT.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN
POR: Christine Sinclair 13th minute: Sinclair received the ball several yards behind the 18-yard-box, recognizing the goalkeeper off her line, she launched a shot into the back of the net.
POR: Christine Sinclair (Marie Müller) 28th minute: Müller stripped the ball off a Club América defender, sprinting up field to find an open Sinclair who easily slipped her shot past the diving goalkeeper.
POR: Reilyn Turner (Olivia Moultrie) 52nd minute: From a corner kick, Moultrie sent a cross directly onto the head of Turner, who flicked the ball into the back of the net from the middle of the penalty area.
CA: Irene Guerrero 53rd minute: Outside the 18-yard-box Guerrero lifted the ball, tucking her shot inside the far post.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze (Mallie Mckenzie 88’), Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller, Olivia Wade-Katoa (Marissa Sheva 68’), Olivia Moultrie (Jessie Fleming 74’), Sam Coffey (Sophie Hirst 68’), Meghan Klingenberg, Reilyn Turner (Payton Linnehan 68’), Christine Sinclair, Izzy D’Aquila
Subs not used: Shelby Hogan, Kat Asman, Reyna Reyes, Hina Sugita, Sophia Smith, Nicole Payne, Alexa Spaanstra
Club América (4-4-2): Sandra Paños, Jocelyn Orejel, Karina Rodriguez, Irene Guerrero, Noemi Granados (Sarah Luebbert 46’), Kiana Palacos (Aylin Avilez 71’), Sabrina Enciso, Natalia Mauleon (Scarlett Camberos 46’), Nancy Antonio, Nicolette Hernandez, Karen Luna
Subs not used: Valentina Murrieta, Cassandra Cuevas, Alexa Soto, Kimberly Rodriguez, Miah Zuazua, Mariana Cadena
PORTLAND, Oregon (Wednesday, September 4, 2024) – Portland Thorns (0-0-0, 0 points) began Concacaf W Champions Cup with a 3-1 win thanks to a brace from Christine Sinclair and a third from Reilyn Turner.
The Thorns started the match on the front foot, with captain Christine Sinclair rocketing off a shot from distance in the 13th minute to give Portland the 1-0 lead. Sinclair doubled the lead in the 28th minute, connecting on an assist from Marie Müller, earning herself the brace with a cleanly struck shot from the top of the box. Club América looked to cut the lead in half in the 31st minute with a point-blank shot in front of goal, but Kelli Hubly was able to slide into the ball, pushing it out of danger.
The visiting side’s best chance at goal came in the 36th minute, but a full-stretched save from Mackenzie Arnold sent the ball out for a corner kick, which the Thorns’ defense was able to easily dispel. Shortly thereafter, the two sides headed into the halftime break with Portland leading 2-0.
Portland was quick to find its third goal of the night coming out of the halftime break, with Reilyn Turner heading in a corner-kick cross from Olivia Moultrie in the 52nd minute. Just a minute later Club América pulled one back, with Irene Guerrero scoring in the 53rd minute.
Despite consistent pressure from Club América, the Thorns were able to maintain the two-goal lead, taking the 3-1 win in the first game of the Concacaf W Champions Cup.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns return to regular season play against Washington Spirit on Saturday, September 7 with kickoff from Audi Field set for 9:30 a.m. PT.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN
POR: Christine Sinclair 13th minute: Sinclair received the ball several yards behind the 18-yard-box, recognizing the goalkeeper off her line, she launched a shot into the back of the net.
POR: Christine Sinclair (Marie Müller) 28th minute: Müller stripped the ball off a Club América defender, sprinting up field to find an open Sinclair who easily slipped her shot past the diving goalkeeper.
POR: Reilyn Turner (Olivia Moultrie) 52nd minute: From a corner kick, Moultrie sent a cross directly onto the head of Turner, who flicked the ball into the back of the net from the middle of the penalty area.
CA: Irene Guerrero 53rd minute: Outside the 18-yard-box Guerrero lifted the ball, tucking her shot inside the far post.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze (Mallie Mckenzie 88’), Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller, Olivia Wade-Katoa (Marissa Sheva 68’), Olivia Moultrie (Jessie Fleming 74’), Sam Coffey (Sophie Hirst 68’), Meghan Klingenberg, Reilyn Turner (Payton Linnehan 68’), Christine Sinclair, Izzy D’Aquila
Subs not used: Shelby Hogan, Kat Asman, Reyna Reyes, Hina Sugita, Sophia Smith, Nicole Payne, Alexa Spaanstra
Club América (4-4-2): Sandra Paños, Jocelyn Orejel, Karina Rodriguez, Irene Guerrero, Noemi Granados (Sarah Luebbert 46’), Kiana Palacos (Aylin Avilez 71’), Sabrina Enciso, Natalia Mauleon (Scarlett Camberos 46’), Nancy Antonio, Nicolette Hernandez, Karen Luna
Subs not used: Valentina Murrieta, Cassandra Cuevas, Alexa Soto, Kimberly Rodriguez, Miah Zuazua, Mariana Cadena
