Match Recap, Highlights, and Reaction: Portland Thorns vs Racing Louisville

For the first time since May 5, the Portland Thorns returned to NWSL action.

Racing Louisville would come into Providence Park looking to complete the regular season sweep after their shocking upset 3-1 over the Thorns earlier in the season.

After awarding Jennie Immethun the start in last week's friendly against San Diego Wave, head coach Robert Vilahamn would award the rookie her first professional start today.

Marie Müller would move from winger back to her usual spot in the backline. Reyna Reyes would start the game on the bench, which is to be expected as Portland Thorns rotates and keeps all their fullbacks fresh the remainder of the season. Jayden "JP" Perry also earned a rare start next to captain Sam Hiatt.

Reilyn Turner, Pietra Tordin, and Soph Wilson started in the frontline.

Match Recap:

After seeing Racing Louisville hit the woodwork twice early on, it was all Portland Thorns after that.

The home side continued to grow into the match – their pressing triggers and counterpress in particular gifted them chances over and over the rest of the half.

Once Jayden "JP" Perry scored the early goal, it provided the jolt the Thorns needed to takeover the match.

After that, the front four responded time and time again. Soph Wilson and Olivia Moultrie provided the services to second-year forwards Reilyn Turner and Pietra Tordin.

In front of 16,638 supporters at Providence Park, Portland continued to take care of business down the stretch.

With the match in hand, the Portland Thorns were able to bring on five subs in the second half.

In the 82nd minute, Sophia Wilson would score her 50th career NWSL goal. The assist? Pietra Tordin, with her second assist of the game.

The Portland Thorns came out of the break with purpose and enacted their revenge on Racing Louisville, to the tune of a 4-0 rout.

Instant Reaction

Highlights:

5' Racing Louisville earns first corner of the match

7' Emma Sears takes the first shot of the match, Mackenzie Arnold takes no chances and puts it over the bar.

8' Corner for Racing Louisville, but Portland successfully defends.

8' Jayden "JP" Perry booked with yellow card

9' Ensuing free kick from Katie O'Kane hits the post.

13' 1-0 Portland Thorns | Jayden Perry heads home the opener after the assist from Pietra Tordin - strong play from captain Sam Hiatt for getting a touch on the initial service.

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An early breakthrough and a first goal of the season for Jayden Perry!

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18' Yellow card to Racing Louisville's Ellie Jean

20' Tordin's blast from outside of the box goes wide

21' Kayla Fischer's long-range effort hits the post.

24' Perry fouls Sarah Weber barely outside the box.

26' Free kick from Courtney Petersen just sails over the bar.

29' Portland's best passing sequence of the afternoon leads to a Moultrie shot, but right to Bloomer.

36' 2-0 Portland Thorns | Olivia Moultrie finds Pietra Tordin who calmly finishes to double the lead.

41' 3-0 Portland Thorns | Sophia Wilson's low-driven cross into the box finds Reilyn Turner.

45' Three minutes of stoppage time

Second Half:

46' SUB | Rachel Hill on for Mckenna Morris for Louisville

57' M.A. Vignola's last-ditch tackle prevents a clean look from Rachel Hill

62' Macey Hodge prevents a counter and picks up the yellow card

63' SUB | Taylor Flint in for Sarah Weber

64' SUBS | Maddie Padelski on for Olivia Moultrie and Mallie McKenzie on for Reilyn Turner

66' Portland Thorns earn their first corner of the match after Soph Wilson's shot is deflected out of bounds

72' SUB | Reyna Reyes on for M.A. Vignola

73' SUBS |Racing Louisville triple change

75' Yellow card for Jennie Immethun

82' 4-0 Portland Thorns | Pietra Tordin to Soph Wilson.

83' SUBS | Shae Harvey on for Pietra Tordin, Cassandra Ella Bogere on for Jennie Immethun

86' Maddie Padelski tries to go far-post and nearly gets her first goal of career

90' Four minutes of stoppage time

FT 4-0 Portland Thorns