Following last week’s loss to Racing Louisville FC, the second place Portland Thorns looked to bounce back at home against 12th place Angel City FC.
Portland was shut out for the first time all season, but so too was Angel City, as both teams walked away with a point.
The Thorns had been perfect at home to start the year, recording three 2-0 shutout wins against Seattle Reign FC, Kansas City Current, and San Diego Wave FC. It is the best start for matches played at home for Portland in club history. Portland kept that shutout streak but didn't tally a win this go round.
Olivia Moultrie was honored for 100 regular-season NWSL appearances, which she tallied last weekend in Louisville. She's the youngest player to achieve this honor in the NWSL.
With the lovely weather and an afternoon game 20,652 fans filled the stadium for this match.
The first half felt very Portland-heavy. They just weren't able to put anything into the back of the net. There were some good runs from the likes of Wilson and Turner, Macca was very strong in her box, and the midfield held it down with some good stretches of passing.
The second half started out very Portland as well, but yet again nothing was going in then the vibes shifted a little and LA started to get some looks.
Today's lineup:
Highlights-
1' Early corner for Portland earned by Wilson, who was pressing the Angel City backline, resulted in a shot from Bogere that went over the crossbar
11' Instant yellow was given to LA's Nealy Martin after laying out Fleming
13' Huge collision in the box, Macca collected the ball but was hit, luckily, both players got back up and continued playing.
20' Portland's first real look at a goal denied by LA's defence
21' Turner found a lovely cross in front of a mostly open net, but no one got on it.
45' 1 minute of extra time
HALFTIME: 0-0
48' Turner was putting the burners on early in the half, she sped past a few defenders earning a corner kick.
49' Turner had the best attempt of the game thus far, wide open in the 6 her shot went just wide
50' Huge save from LA's gk Seabert to deny Portland the go-ahead goal
55' Macca with a diving save to keep the game level
57' Wilson took the ball up almost the entire pitch, and was looking to pass to Tordin, who was taken out by an Angel City player, no foul was called.
65' First subs of the match came from LA- #9 Phair on for #33 Tiernan and #17 Fuller for #18 Endo
66' Angel City got close to goal with a cross that went past 3 of their players in the box
68' Portland's first subs: Calzada for Obaze, who went down without contact, and Alidou for Muller
70' The ball was ping ponging around the Portland 18 before it was finally cleared away by Reyes
74' More Portland subs: Mallie McKenzie replaces MA Vignola
80' LA subs- #10 Emslie for #16 Lageyre
82' Yellow given to LA's Emily Sams and LA's assistant coach
90'+4 Thorns hit the post off a corner kick
A frustrating but overall relatively positive afternoon for Portland, as they couldn't find the back of the net but still picked up a point. The match showed how important Olivia Moultrie is for this team's offense, and how that offense needs to be more clinical if Portland is to be in the fight for silverware this season.
The Thorns next play at home against Bay FC on Wednesday May 20th at 7pm PST.
