On Saturday night, the Portland Thorns traveled to New Jersey to take on Sky Blue FC. There was plenty on the line as the two squads came into the game tied for first place in the National Women’s Soccer League standings. Portland and Sky Blue FC have spent stretches of this season battling it out for that top spot, and each team was looking to break the deadlock at Yurcak Field. They’ll have to wait a bit longer, however, after a scoreless draw left the rivals exactly where they started.
Thorns battle to a draw on the road
On Saturday night, the Portland Thorns traveled to New Jersey to take on Sky Blue FC. There was plenty on the line as the two squads came into the game tied for first place in the National Women’s Soccer League standings. Portland and Sky Blue FC have spent stretches of this season battling it out for that top spot, and each team was looking to break the deadlock at Yurcak Field. They’ll have to wait a bit longer, however, after a scoreless draw left the rivals exactly where they started.
Although the Thorns couldn’t put together a win on the road, they came away from the game feeling as though they stole one from Sky Blue FC. Portland’s defense worked hard to stamp down numerous scoring chances for the home team, but the Thorns were unable to take advantage of their own opportunities.
“I think we were lucky to get out of the game with a point,” head coach Cindy Parlow Cone said. “Sky Blue is an outstanding team and showed it tonight.”
Portland would not have gotten that point without an inspired performance from goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, who had a season-high seven saves, including several big stops down the stretch. She faced a frenzied attack by Sky Blue FC in the closing minutes.
“I just wanted that [final] whistle to come a little quicker,” LeBlanc said after the game. “Obviously, they’re at home and want to push for the win. Once we got in that overtime when they had a lot of pressure I realized ‘Just hold up the ball and get a point.’ I don’t think we’ve played our best game against Sky Blue, but you have to give them credit.
“They’re a good team,” she continued. “They’re so organized defensively it’s hard to break them down…But we have one more game against them this season. That’s the time we have to try to figure it out.”
That last matchup with Sky Blue FC will come just over a month from now as the Thorns are scheduled to host their toughest competitor on July 31 in a game that could prove to be crucial in the final push toward first place.
In the meantime, Portland will try to extend their unbeaten streak to four games as they take on FC Kansas City at Shawnee Mission District Stadium on Sunday. They’ll get some help from the home crowd after that, with five of their next six games scheduled at Jeld-Wen Field.
