September 18, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release
Kansas City, Kan. – Portland Thorns FC and the Kansas City Current played to a 1-1 draw at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday evening. After 87 scoreless minutes, Rocky Rodríguez broke through to put Portland ahead in the match. Just seven minutes later, the Current responded with a stoppage-time equalizer to level the score. Thorns FC return home for their final two regular-season matches at Providence Park this season on Sept. 21 against Racing Louisville FC and Sept. 25 against the Chicago Red Stars.
Playoff Pressure
With the result, Thorns FC (8-3-8, 32pts) closed out week 18 action in fourth place in the NWSL standings with a game in hand. Just four points separate first place and sixth place in the standings with only two points between first and fourth place in the table. Notably, Portland has the tiebreaker with every team in the league as a result of its +19 goal differential. Thorns FC have three games remaining on their schedule with home games against Racing Louisville FC (Sept. 21) and the Chicago Red Stars (Sept. 25), as well as their regular season finale on the road at NJ/NY Gotham FC (Oct. 1).
Noteworthy
Portland tallied its 40th goal of the season in the match, tying the club’s single season record (2019, 2018). Thorns FC are tied with the North Carolina Courage for most goals scored in the 2022 campaign (40). Rocky Rodríguez registered her second goal of the season, and second in Portland’s last three matches (KC, North Carolina). Rodríguez became Portland’s eighth player to tally two or more goals this season, which is tied with the Chicago Red Stars for most players with two or more goals in the league this season (8). Christine Sinclair earned her 150th start in the match and is just the seventh player to start 150 regular-season games, and the third to do so with same club (Lauren Barnes & Jess Fishlock – OL Reign).
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Rocky Rodríguez, 87th minute: Rocky Rodríguez won possession of the ball on top of the 18-yard box and fired a shot that ricocheted off the post. Rodríguez followed up the rebound and put away a right-footed shot past KC goalkeeper AD Franch.
KC – Hailie Mace (Kristen Edmonds), 90+4 minute: The Current won a free kick just outside of the box. Kristen Edmonds stepped up and played a short square ball for Hailie Mace, who drilled a shot into the upper-left hand corner of the goal.
Notes:
Thorns FC recorded their 40th goal of the season in the match, tying the club’s single season record (2019, 2018).
In five matchups all time, Portland is unbeaten against the Current (3-0-2).
Thorns FC has the fewest road losses in the league this season (4-1-5).
Portland has scored 19 goals on the road in 2022 – the most of any team in the league.
Thorns FC have scored in all 10 of their road matches, recording multiple goals in seven of those games.
Portland had a season best 29 shots in the match.
Rocky Rodríguez registered her second goal of the season, and second in Portland’s last three matches.
Rodríguez is Portland’s eighth player to tally two or more goals this season.
Portland is tied with the Chicago Red Stars for most players with two or more goals this season (8).
Sam Coffey finished the match with a game-high 12 possessions won.
Christine Sinclair started her 150th NWSL match with Thorns FC.
Sinclair is just the seventh player to start 150 regular-season games, and the third to do so with same club (Lauren Barnes & Jess Fishlock RGN).
Kelli Hubly and Sugita are the only two players to appear in every match this season.
Hubly has played every minute of every match during the regular season.
Next Game
Thorns FC will face a quick turnaround to host Racing Louisville at Providence Park on Wed., Sept 21, with a kickoff at 7 p.m. (Pacific) on Paramount+.
Portland Thorns FC (8-3-8, 32pts) vs. KC Current (9-5-6, 33pts)
Sept. 18, 2022 – Children’s Mercy Park (Kansas City, Kan.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 0 1 1
KC Current 0 1 1
Scoring Summary:
POR: Rodríguez, 87
KC: Mace (Edmonds), 90+4
Misconduct Summary:
KC: Bennett (caution), 73
POR: Sauerbrunn (caution), 90+3
Lineups:
POR: GK Bixby, D Kuikka, D Hubly, D Sauerbrunn, D Klingenberg, M Coffey, M Sugita, M Sinclair © (Rodriguez, 69), F Ryan (Beckie, 69), F Smith, F Weaver (Everett, 90)
Substitutes Not Used: GK A. Smith, D Nally, D McGrady, M Porter, M Moultrie, M Dunn
TOTAL SHOTS: 29 (Weaver, Smith, 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 9 (Smith, 4); FOULS: 12 (Weaver, 3); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 8
KC: GK Franch, D Loera (Leach, 90), D Edmonds, D Merrick, M Scott, M Mace, M Del Fava, M LaBonta (Bennett, 64), M Lavogez (Winebrenner, 90), F Kizer (Rodriguez, 64), F Hamilton (Curran, 80)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Schneider, GK Miller, M Logarzo, M McCain
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Lavogez, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (four players tied, 1); FOULS: 10 (Mace, Curran, 2); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 3
Referee: Calin Radosav
Assistant Referees: Jennifer Garner, Matthew Seem
Fourth Official: Patricia McCracken
Weather: Sunny, 87 degrees
Attendance: n/a
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
• Discuss this story on the National Women’s Soccer League message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
