It’s not often that the Portland Thorns’ offense comes up empty in National Women’s Soccer League play. But in a matchup on Sunday afternoon against FC Kansas City, the Thorns failed to put one in the back of the net and found themselves on the wrong side of a 2-0 scoreline.
Thorns take 1st road loss of the season
It’s not often that the Portland Thorns’ offense comes up empty in National Women’s Soccer League play. But in a matchup on Sunday afternoon against FC Kansas City, the Thorns failed to put one in the back of the net and found themselves on the wrong side of a 2-0 scoreline.
Led by Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair, the Thorns attack has been one of the main reasons for the team’s success this year. The forward tandem has also been the principle target of opposing defenses, a tactic that worked out well for FC Kansas City. The Blues’ defense held its own and took advantage of Portland’s inability to hold possession consistently.
“We kept giving them the ball, literally passing it right to them, which is a bit uncharacteristic for us,” head coach Cindy Parlow Cone said after the game. “You have to give them credit. They put a tremendous performance together, had a great defensive shape and put away their chances when they needed to.”
FC Kansas City struck early, scoring on a deep shot by NWSL goals leader Lauren Cheney from outside the box in the 10th minute. Portland’s defense was able to keep the Blues from adding to that total for the remainder of the first half and into the second, but the Timbers failed to find the equalizer. With the game nearing its conclusion in the 71st minute, the Blues cashed in on another opportunity when Merritt Matthias put the game out of reach with her first goal of 2013. It was the first road loss for the Timbers this season.
“We didn’t have a lot of chances,” Morgan said. “We were a little conservative. I felt like it was maybe two or three attackers in the 18-yard box, and other than that everyone was back in our own half. I think we need to come out more aggressive and with more energy.”
Portland could certainly use a boost of energy from their frontline as the team moves into the final portion of their schedule. The race for the top spot in the NWSL standings is a close one—FC Kansas City is now only three points behind the Thorns for second place, with Sky Blue FC in first place by a point.
The Thorns have nine games left to play this year, five of which will take place at Jeld-Wen Field. Next up is a meeting with the Boston Breakers at home on Saturday, where Portland will try to break a two-game scoreless streak and remain in the running for first place. The game is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.
