April 20, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC opened their UKG Challenge Cup account with a 1-0 loss on the road against San Diego Wave FC on Wednesday night. Unbeaten in the 2023 NWSL regular season, Thorns FC will play host to Racing Louisville FC on Saturday, April 22, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) on Paramount+.
Portland in Challenge Cup Competition
Portland (0-1-0, 0pts) opened its UKG Challenge Cup slate tonight, playing their first match in the West Division. Thorns FC are set to face all three teams in the West Division (San Diego, OL Reign, Angel City FC) twice – once home and once away. Tonight’s match was the third match between Portland and San Diego in Challenge Cup play. Thorns FC won both the previous meetings in the 2022 Challenge Cup. Portland will next face Angel City FC on May 21 at Providence Park in the tournament.
Firsts and Debuts
Adriana Leon made her Thorns FC debut in the match, starting and playing 68 minutes. Shelby Hogan made her first appearance of the year and third across all competitions for Portland. Rookie Reyna Reyes made her second start in three appearances for Portland this year. It was Reyes’ Challenge Cup debut, while rookie Izzy D’Aquila also made her Challenge Cup debut, logging 15 minutes in the second half. Taylor Porter made their season debut, starting and playing 75 minutes. Morgan Weaver made her 18th appearance in the Challenge Cup, which is the most of any Thorns FC player, while Kelli Hubly logged 90 minutes and has now played 1,506 minutes – the most of any Portland player in the tournament.
Goal-Scoring Plays
SD – Meaghan Nally (own goal), 65th minute: Standing on the right wing, Jakobsson passed the ball back to Jaedyn Shaw, who at the top right corner of the 18-yard box fired a right-footed ball toward the Thorns FC goal. Meaghan Nally attempted to clear the ball but redirected it into the back of Portland’s goal.
Notes:
Portland (0-1-0, 0pts) opened its UKG Challenge Cup slate tonight, playing the first match in the West Division.
Thorns FC will face all three teams in the West Division (San Diego Wave FC, OL Reign and Angel City FC) twice – once home and once away in the tournament.
Tonight’s match was the third match between Portland and San Diego in Challenge Cup play. Thorns FC won both the previous meetings in the 2022 Challenge Cup.
The match was also the sixth meeting across all…