Match Recap & Highlights: Portland Thorns at Denver Summit

The headlines lived up to the hype in the first ever matchup between the Portland Thorns and Denver Summit, but it's the Thorns who fell short on the road this afternoon in a 2-1 loss.

Despite an action packed first half, with goals from Portland's Sophia Wilson and Denver's Janine Sonis, it wasn't until the 84th minute that the Summit would take the lead.

And it would be by way of Natalie Means, in what would hold as the 2-1 final score in favor of the Summit.

Lineups & Prematch

The inaugural meeting between these two clubs was highlighted by the return of former Thorn Lindsey Heaps to the NWSL.

Heaps was not the only one to be facing off against her former team this afternoon. The Denver Summit's roster is comprised of six former Thorns, making it a Portland reunion in the Colorado heat this afternoon.

And on the Thorns side, rising star Reilyn Turner was unavailable this afternoon as she continues to deal with that knee injury – one that Thorns staff say could keep Turner sidelined for at least another month of NWSL action.

Reyna Reyes saw her return to the starting XI this afternoon after her absence from the Cascadia Rivalry earlier this week, as the coaching staff opted to leave Reyes on the bench in Seattle on Sunday.

Highlights

8' Summit opportunity early

Yazmeen Ryan and Lindsey Heaps team up in the box and nearly get a score off early against their former team.

Ryan cleanly finds Heeps who takes a quick shot, which is deflected by Hiatt and cleared by the Thorns.

16' damned if you do, damned if you don't

After a lengthy trip to the VAR, referee Jaclyn Metz determines MA Vignola completed a clean action in the box, and Portland evades an early penalty opportunity from the Summit.

A decision that will leave a sour taste in the mouth for Summit fans, but one that could have gone either way and just so happened to be in favor of the visitors.

25' SOPH WILSON homecoming

“Anything you can do I can do better”, says Wilson. One of the most lethal attackers in space, Wilson has the ball in the box and on a recovery attempt Summit's Janine Sonis commits a penalty.

And after drawing the foul, it is Wilson who steps up and nails the penalty kick.

42' Portland defense hallelujah

Back to back opportunities for Lindsey Heaps, and deflections galore in the goal by Mackenzie Arnold, keep the USWNT captain off the scoreboard for the Summit.

+9 minutes of stoppage time added

45'+8 Denver equalizer

The first half work from Janine Sonis finally pays off, as the ball Sonis lofts towards goal finds the back of the net after sneaking past Moultrie and Arnold – and it is another former Thorn who delivers the equalizer.

One of the only times this afternoon where the Thorns have found themselves on the wrong side of luck, alongside a little miscommunication. Which means that in the first half, it is the Coloradans from Windsor and Highlands Ranch who find their names written on the scoresheet.

Halftime: Thorns 1, Summit 1

50' MACCA cool, calm, collected

The Summit find opportunity first in the second half, with Olivia Thomas taking the strike. But it is Mackenzie Arnold who comes up with another save, showcasing her multidimensional talent in goal today.

53' YELLOW CARD Müller

Marie Müller with the incidental trip on Janine Sonis from behind, books herself with a yellow card here early in the first half.

67' Moultrie ... misses ???

Soph Wilson tees up Olivia Moultrie in the box, who misses her shot wide. A rare miss from Moultrie, and one that could've been the difference maker for Portland this afternoon.

68' subs Portland

The Portland Thorns opt to make a couple changes at this point in the match, replacing Pietra Tordin with Renee Lyles and Marie Müller replaced by Deyna Castellanos.

77' more subs for Portland

Valerin Laboa takes the pitch in exchange for Bogere in the 77th minute.

84' McKenzie replaces Reyes

After the training staff takes the pitch for a closer look at Reyna Reyes, Mallie McKenzie comes onto the pitch to replace the defender.

86' Uh oh, Summit score

Natalie Means, who subbed into the game for the Summit in the 77th minute, notches her first NWSL goal for the go ahead score as we near the end of regular time.

With a strikingly similar look to Sonis' equalizer late in the first half.

+6 minutes of stoppage time added

Final: Portland 1, Denver 2

Final Thoughts

My instant reaction from the first 45 minutes of action ever between these two teams – if this game is any indication of what this matchup will look like between them for the years to come, boy are we in for a treat.

With world class talent and an elite level of competitiveness showing from both clubs, this first half was a testament of what's to come.

The second half, however, was indicative of the struggles Portland has had on the road as of late. It was May the last time the Thorns brought home 3 points from a road game, and the drought continues leaving Denver today.

However, as Robert Vilahamn alluded to it in his prematch availability – the impending return of Morgan Weaver and Caiya Hanks could be exactly what this roster needs as it endures the second half of action this NWSL season.

Two players we will not see quite yet when the Thorns return home next Friday night as they take on Gotham FC with hopes to bounce back from a 2-loss week.