August 6, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC played to a thrilling 3-3 draw against the North Carolina Courage at Providence Park on Friday night. Sophia Smith registered a brace while Morgan Weaver scored her third of the season to secure a point for Portland and extend its unbeaten run to 10 straight games.
Thorns’ Form
Portland is now unbeaten in its last 10 games overall with a record of 5-0-5, and unbeaten at Providence Park in its last four games (3-0-1). The team’s unbeaten run is the second longest in club history and the second streak of 10 or more games. Thorns FC went 12 games unbeaten from April 12-July 2 during the 2016 season. In the current unbeaten stretch, Portland has tallied multiple goals in nine of the 10 matches. In addition, Thorns FC have scored three or more goals in five of their eight home matches this season and have outscored their opponents 17-3 in their last four matches at Providence Park.
Golden Boot Race
Smith notched her third brace of the season bringing her season total to 11 goals, which is tied with San Diego Wave FC’s Alex Morgan for the league lead. After tonight’s result, Smith has scored or tallied an assist in each of the last seven games (9g, 2a) she has appeared in for Thorns FC. Notably, Smith has registered a goal in each of her last five matches with Portland, totaling eight. The 21-year-old attacker is the youngest player in league history to score 10 or more goals in a single season and is now tied with Jessica McDonald for the second-most goals scored in a season (11 – 2014) in club history, trailing only Lindsey Horan who scored 13 goals during the 2018 season.
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Sophia Smith, 8th minute: Sophia Smith won the ball in Portland’s offensive half and dribbled toward the top of the box. Taking on three Courage defenders, Smith cut through them onto her right foot and fired a shot into the lower left corner of the goal.
POR – Morgan Weaver, 24th minute: From the right wing, Hina Sugita curled a cross toward the penalty spot. Christine Sinclair ran onto it, sending a shot toward the far post. North Carolina goalkeeper Casey Murphy made a diving save but Morgan Weaver pounced on the loose ball and poked it into the goal.
NCC – Diana Ordoñez (Carson Pickett), 61st minute: Carson Pickett sent in a corner kick for the Courage and Diana Ordoñez headed it just inside of the far post.
NCC – Diana Ordoñez (Ryan…