October 1, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release
HARRISON, N.J. – Portland Thorns FC concluded the 2022 NWSL regular season with a 3-3 draw on the road against NJ/NY Gotham FC to earn a top-two seed in the NWSL Playoffs and a home semifinal match on Oct. 23 at Providence Park. Sophia Smith scored a first-half brace, while Morgan Weaver added a goal and Hina Sugita tallied a pair of assists.
With the draw, Thorns FC have secured either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the 2022 NWSL Playoffs. It marks the fifth time in the last six seasons Portland has finished in the top two. Thorns FC will win the NWSL Shield if OL Reign loses or draws against the Orlando Pride tonight.
Smith File
Smith scored her fifth career NWSL brace, and her fourth of the 2022 NWSL season. Her four braces this season tied an NWSL record for braces in a season. With the two goals, she set a new Thorns FC single-season record with 14 goals. It broke the previous record of 13 goals set by midfielder Lindsey Horan during the 2018 season. Her 14 goals rank as the second-most in the league this season. Notably, Smith now has 21 career goals for Portland, making her the fourth player in club history to reach the 20-goal mark.
2022 Regular Season Review
Thorns FC finished the campaign with 49 goals, setting a new club record for goals in a single season. The team’s 49 goals rank as the third-most in a single season in NWSL history only behind the North Carolina Courage’s 54 goals in 2019 and 53 goals during the 2018 season. The team also had a league-best +25 goal differential to finish the campaign. Portland recorded double-digit wins for a sixth straight season, and the eighth time in nine NWSL regular seasons. As a team, 14 different players scored at least one goal, while 10 players finished with at least one assist.
Goal-Scoring Plays
NJNY – Naho Kawasumi, 39th minute: After the ball was crossed into the center of the box, Portland was unable to clear the ball and Naho Kawasumi converted from close range inside the left post.
POR – Sophia Smith (penalty kick), 44th minute: Hina Sugita was fouled inside the box and Sophia Smith stepped to the penalty spot and converted.
POR – Sophia Smith (Hina Sugita), 45+1: Sugita dribbled down the right wing and played a cross to the near post for Smith, who redirected the ball with a slight touch past Gotham FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos and over the goal line.
POR – Morgan Weaver (Hina Sugita), 53th minute: After…