September 18, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release
Kansas City, Kan. – Portland Thorns FC and the Kansas City Current played to a 1-1 draw at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday evening. After 87 scoreless minutes, Rocky Rodríguez broke through to put Portland ahead in the match. Just seven minutes later, the Current responded with a stoppage-time equalizer to level the score. Thorns FC return home for their final two regular-season matches at Providence Park this season on Sept. 21 against Racing Louisville FC and Sept. 25 against the Chicago Red Stars.
Playoff Pressure
With the result, Thorns FC (8-3-8, 32pts) closed out week 18 action in fourth place in the NWSL standings with a game in hand. Just four points separate first place and sixth place in the standings with only two points between first and fourth place in the table. Notably, Portland has the tiebreaker with every team in the league as a result of its +19 goal differential. Thorns FC have three games remaining on their schedule with home games against Racing Louisville FC (Sept. 21) and the Chicago Red Stars (Sept. 25), as well as their regular season finale on the road at NJ/NY Gotham FC (Oct. 1).
Noteworthy
Portland tallied its 40th goal of the season in the match, tying the club’s single season record (2019, 2018). Thorns FC are tied with the North Carolina Courage for most goals scored in the 2022 campaign (40). Rocky Rodríguez registered her second goal of the season, and second in Portland’s last three matches (KC, North Carolina). Rodríguez became Portland’s eighth player to tally two or more goals this season, which is tied with the Chicago Red Stars for most players with two or more goals in the league this season (8). Christine Sinclair earned her 150th start in the match and is just the seventh player to start 150 regular-season games, and the third to do so with same club (Lauren Barnes & Jess Fishlock – OL Reign).
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Rocky Rodríguez, 87th minute: Rocky Rodríguez won possession of the ball on top of the 18-yard box and fired a shot that ricocheted off the post. Rodríguez followed up the rebound and put away a right-footed shot past KC goalkeeper AD Franch.
KC – Hailie Mace (Kristen Edmonds), 90+4 minute: The Current won a free kick just outside of the box. Kristen Edmonds stepped up and played a short square ball for Hailie Mace, who drilled a shot into the upper-left hand corner of the goal.
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