Thorns FC Fall 3-1 on the Road to North Carolina Courage

August 24, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release

CARY, N.C. – Portland Thorns FC were unable to recover from an early deficit, falling 3-1 on the road to the North Carolina Courage at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday evening. The loss was Portland’s first since May 21, 2022, seeing an 11-game unbeaten streak come to an end. Thorns FC return home to play host to San Diego Wave FC on Aug. 27 at Providence Park.

Unbeaten Streak Ends

Portland suffered its first loss since May 21, 2022, snapping the team’s 11-game unbeaten streak that spanned from May 28-Aug. 10, 2022. It was the second-longest unbeaten streak in club history only bested by a stretch of 12 games unbeaten during the 2016 season. The loss was also Thorns FC’s first on the road in 2022 and their first loss on the road in NWSL regular season play since Sept. 25, 2021.

Goals + Assists

Rocky Rodríguez scored her first goal of the season in the match. She is the 13th different player to score a goal for Portland in 2022, which is the most players in a single season to score a goal in club history. Yazmeen Ryan notched her fifth assist on the year. Her five assists are the most in the NWSL this season. Notably, Ryan is the fifth different player in club history to record five or more assists in a single season.

Goal-Scoring Plays

NCC – Diana Ordoñez (Carson Pickett), 24th minute: Carson Pickett dribbled down the left side to the endline before playing a cross to the back post for Diana Ordoñez, who finished with a header from close range.

NCC – Debinha, 50th minute: Ryan Williams dribbled to the right edge of the box and played a cross into the center of the box for Debinha, who converted from the edge of the six-yard box near the left post.

POR – Rocky Rodríguez (Yazmeen Ryan), 63rd minute: Off a corner kick, Yazmeen Ryan served a ball into the center of the box and Rocky Rodríguez rose above multiple players and sent a header from close range into the back of the net.

NCC – Meredith Speck (Jaelene Daniels), 83rd minute: Carson Pickett’s corner kick was cleared, but the ball was played back into the box off the clearance by Jaelene Daniels, and Meredith Speck sent a glancing header just under the crossbar.

Notes:

Portland suffered its first loss since May 21, 2022, at home against the Houston Dash.

Thorns FC had an 11-game unbeaten run that spanned from May 28-Aug. 10, 2022 – the second-longest unbeaten run in club history.

The loss was…