March 12, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Playing their first match of the Thorns FC Preseason Tournament, Portland Thorns FC earned a 1-0 win against Racing Louisville FC at Providence Park on Sunday night. Meaghan Nally registered the lone goal and the game winner for Portland in the final minutes of the match.
Tournament Format
Portland opened its preseason with the first of three matches as part of the Thorns FC Preseason Tournament. It marks the sixth time Thorns FC have hosted a preseason tournament. Portland will play three games in seven days in preparation for its 2023 NWSL season opener against Orlando Pride on March 26 at Providence Park.
Preseason Tournament Notes
All 11 starters in today’s match were returning players from the Thorns FC 2022 roster. Amongst the starters, Michele Vasconcelos played her first preseason match with Portland. As a second-half substitute, 2023 NWSL Draft first-round pick Izzy D’Aquila made her preseason debut for Thorns FC. Nally tallied her first preseason goal for Portland in the match. After going undefeated in the 2022 preseason tournament (2-0-1) and keeping three clean sheets, Thorns FC extended their shutout streak to 360 minutes.
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Meaghan Nally (Kelli Hubly), 86th minute: Janine Beckie sent an in-swinging corner kick to the far post. Kelli Hubly headed the ball across the face of the goal and Nally finished it with her head and into the back of the net.
Next Game
Next up, Thorns FC will square off against the U.S. U-23 Youth Women’s National Team on Wednesday, March 15; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) at Providence Park.
Portland Thorns FC vs. Racing Louisville FC (NWSL Preseason)
March 12, 2023 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 0 1 1
Racing Louisville FC 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
POR: Nally (Hubly), 86
Misconduct Summary:
LOU: Pickett (caution), 56
LOU: DeMelo (caution), 93
Lineups
POR: GK Bixby, D Klingenberg (Beckman, 72), D Hubly, D Menges (Provenzano, 46), D Kuikka (Nally, 62), M Rodriguez (Sinclair, 62), M Coffey (Porter, 72), M Moultrie, F Sugita (Betfort, 72), F Smith (D’Aquila, 62), F Vasconcelos (Beckie, 62)
Substitutes not used: GK Hogan, GK Kozal
LOU: GK Lund, D Pickett, D Erceg, D Pikkujämsä (Holloway, 56), D Milliet, M Howell, M DeMelo, M Borges (Fischer, 64), F Monaghan (McDonald, 64), F Davis (Goins, 85), F Shuang (Chidiac, 64)
Substitutes not used: GK Daugherty, D Murray, D…