September 22, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Racing Louisville FC News Release
Portland Thorns FC vs. Racing Louisville FC
(Racing Louisville FC)
Portland Thorns FC scored three goals in nine minutes Wednesday night to defeat the visiting Racing Louisville FC at Providence Park.
Racing withstood an early first-half barrage from Portland and grew into the game 30 minutes in, with Emina Ekic hitting the crossbar in the 35th minute. But Portland’s fast start to the second half, with goals in the 47th, 48th and 56th minutes, gave the Thorns firm control of the game and pushed them back into first place in the NWSL.
“They were the better team today,” Racing coach Kim Björkegren said. “… The girls worked hard over 90 minutes. Of course there are things we can do better, but from where we are right now, we’re missing a couple players and, in an away game in Portland, it’s very tough.”
Under pressure from the opening whistle, Racing (3-9-8, 17 points) cleared two Portland shots off the goal line in the first 15 minutes. Lund made a handful of diving parries, including back-to-back reaction saves in the 12th minute.
Louisville started possessing the ball more and threatening down both flanks as halftime neared. It was around that time in the game, the 26th minute, that star forward Nadia Nadim fell hard along the attacking end line and had to be subbed off.
Despite Portland outshooting Racing 16-3 in the first 45 minutes, the game was scoreless at the halftime break.
Sophia Smith’s 47th-minute finish broke the deadlock loose. One minute and 22 seconds later, Portland midfielder Sam Coffey added a second with a low shot through traffic from the edge of the area.
Olivia Moultrie scored Portland’s third goal in the 56th minute.
Still, defender Satara Murray came away from Wednesday’s game encouraged by her team’s fighting spirit in a challenging game environment and against a quality opponent.
“One thing you can fault us on is our fight,” Murray said. “I’m super proud of the girls – we’re a resilient bunch. I know for the fans and the organization, especially the performance we had against Orlando last week, you’d think and hope that we would build off of that momentum and confidence. But you have to give credit to Portland where it’s due.”
Midfielder Savannah DeMelo hit the near post with a 21-yard free kick in the 65th minute, and forward Jess McDonald cut inside to her left foot on the edge of the box in the 70th minute to get a shot away, but it…