March 18, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC conceded an early goal to OL Reign and were unable to find an equalizer, falling 1-0 in their third and final match of the Thorns FC preseason tournament. Portland will open the 2023 NWSL season at home on Sunday, March 26, against the Orlando Pride.
Preseason Progression
A total of 24 players featured for Thorns FC during their preseason tournament, including 2023 NWSL Draft picks Reyna Reyes and Izzy D’Aquila. Reyes made substitute appearances against the U.S. U-23s (March 15) and OL Reign. D’Aquila appeared in all three games, earning her first start of the preseason against OL Reign. Becky Sauerbrunn played her first minutes of the preseason in the match against OL Reign, starting and logging 45 minutes.
Thorns FC Preseason Tournament Review
Thorns FC played a total of three games in seven days as part of the tournament, including matches against Racing Louisville FC (March 12) and the U.S. U-23 Women’s Youth National Team (March 15). Across the three games, Portland outscored its opponents 5-2, including a 1-0 shutout win in the opening match against Louisville. Meaghan Nally, Izzy D’Aquila, Sophia Smith, Morgan Weaver and Hina Sugita all scored goals for Thorns FC in the tournament.
Goal-Scoring Plays
OLR – Jessica Fishlock, 18th minute: Jessica Fishlock received the ball just outside the box, dribbled forward and unleashed a long-range strike into the top left corner of the goal.
Next Game
Next up, Thorns FC open the 2023 NWSL regular season at Providence Park on Sunday, March 26; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific). The match features a local television broadcast on FOX 12 PLUS with a streaming option available on Paramount+.
Portland Thorns FC vs. OL Reign (NWSL Preseason)
March 18, 2023 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 0 0 0
OL Reign 1 0 1
Scoring Summary:
OLR: Fishlock, 18
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Sugita (caution), 33
OLR: Fishlock (caution), 53
POR: Coffey (caution), 58
Lineups
POR: GK Bixby, D Kuikka, D Hubly, D Sauerbrunn (Menges, 46), D Klingenberg (Reyes, 83), M Coffey, M Moultrie (Rodríguez, 74), M Sinclair ©, F Sugita, F D’Aquila (Dunn, 62), F Weaver (Vasconcelos, 46)
OLR: GK Tullis-Joyce, D Huerta, D Cook, D Hiatt, D Barnes ©, M Sonnett, M Lavelle, M Fishlock (Stanton, 90+), F Balcer (Van der Jagt, 64), F Huitema (Latsko, 87), F Bennett (King, 46)
All statistics contained in this box…