April 17, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC came out on top against San Diego Wave FC with a 3-2 victory at Providence Park on Saturday afternoon. Sophia Smith opened the scoring in the fourth minute, and was followed up by a first-half brace from Hina Sugita.
Challenge Cup Form
With the win, Portland is 3-1-1 (10 pts) and in second place in the West Division. Thorns FC wrap up group play with a road match against Angel City FC on April 24. The top team from each group, along with the second-place finisher with the most points out of the three groups, will advance to the semifinals on Wednesday, May 4, with the championship match set for Saturday, May 7. Portland is currently the highest-ranked second place team out of the three groups.
Goal Scorers and Playmakers
Sophia Smith scored her team-leading third goal of the 2022 Challenge Cup, and in a second consecutive match against San Diego. In her last six appearances for club and country, Smith has a combined six goals. Hina Sugita scored her first career Thorns FC goal today, followed shortly by her second to register a brace. Sugita became Portland’s fifth player to score a goal in this year’s Challenge Cup. Across all competitions, Sugita is the 10th player to register a multi-goal game for Portland in club history. Morgan Weaver tallied her first Challenge Cup assist, and fourth in all competitions for Portland.
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Sophia Smith (Morgan Weaver), 4th minute: Morgan Weaver dribbled across the middle of the field and dished the ball wide for Sophia Smith on the left side of the 18-yard box. Smith took a touch outside of her defender and curled a left-footed shot inside the far post.
POR – Hina Sugita, 21st minute: Christine Sinclair chipped a shot toward goal, hitting the crossbar. Hina Sugita followed it in with a diving header into the lower right-hand corner of the goal.
POR – Hina Sugita, 41st minute: Sinclair…