May 4, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release
Portland, Ore. – The Spirit fell short to Portland Thorns FC tonight, 1-2. Notably, Aubrey Kingsbury made her 400th regular season save with the Spirit, joining Jane Campbell (HOU) as the only two players to reach this mark with a single club.
Unfortunately for the Spirit, the opponent struck early once again. Four minutes in, Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey struck a ball just inside the top of the box that lasered its way into the Spirit goal. Coming into the match, Portland was 3-0-0 when scoring first.
Less than 20 minutes later, the Thorns doubled their lead when Christine Sinclair tapped in an airborne ball only feet away from the goal. Sinclair slipped past the cluster to find the ball and kick it home, marking the fourth straight multi-goal game for the Thorns.
Despite possession favoring the Spirit to the tune of 57% and outshooting the Thorns eight to seven, the story of the first half was the Spirit possessing the ball on its own side of the pitch, not able to penetrate the Thorns final third. The score line would hold at 0-2 heading into the half.
The Spirit looked its best at the outset of the second half, highlighted by a laser from Croix Bethune who shot a ball off a volley at goal, stopped only by the outstretched fingers of Thorns keeper Shelby Hogan. Bethune followed soon after with a shot that skipped just wide of the far post.
The Spirit made several attempts at goal but couldn’t find an answer until the 86th minute when Trinity Rodman crossed a ball into the box that Lena Silano headed into the goal. The goal marked Silano’s first career regular season score and helped extend Rodman’s club record to 14 career regular season assists.
Substitutes have accounted for six Spirit goals this season, the most in the NWSL. Additionally, the Spirit leads the NWSL with six goals scored in the final 15 minutes of action.
The Spirit could not find an equalizer and fell 1-2 to the Thorns, due to the two early Portland goals. The result came despite the Spirit’s resurgence in the second half, outshooting Portland 11-3 and possessing the ball 67% of the time in the final 45 minutes.
Next up, the Washington Spirit travels to Kentucky to conclude its three-leg road trip against Racing Louisville FC on Friday, May 10 at 8 p.m. EDT. The match will air on Prime.
-NWSL Match Report-
Match: Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Venue: Providence Park…