Lineup:
the XI in Cary š¤
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) April 4, 2026
šŗ ION pic.twitter.com/6E0VwiFNDB
This lineup was pretty similar to the match at home against KC, with only two changes. Pietra Tordin starting over Mimi Alidou, and Reyna Reyes returning from red card suspension over Marie Muller. Soph Wilson earned her second start of the season.
Highlights:
With four goals in the first half, the game was gearing up to be a goal-to-goal match. Turner put her body on the line to earn Portland's first goal before having to leave the match minutes after.
15 minutes later, NC scored an equalizer on a lovely shot through traffic across the Thorn's box.
Moultrie didn't let the game stay level for long when she put away her own rebound.
Ashley Sanchez leveled again with a shot in the 18 through the Thorn's defenders.
The second half was more settled, with both teams still tallying chances but neither putting anything away.
Both sides stayed level with a player a piece picking up yellows, first Ijeh for NC, then 2 minutes later, Castellanos got one as well.
12' Reilyn Turner earns the first goal with a diving header.
queen of a header goal š
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) April 4, 2026
(Reilyn is up and back in the game, after scoring the first goal of the match) pic.twitter.com/pj54RFyUKt
JP with a dime of a cross into Turner's run. This seems to be becoming a JP-Turner connection as the goal reflected Turner's against KC.
While on her landing, though Turner went down and received treatment, but was able to continue playing.
25' Turner went down again after her earlier injury and was replaced by Mimi Alidou.
28' NC equalize.
A goal by Manaka levels the match. She sent a long shot (or maybe it was meant to be a pass?) across the 18 that pinged off the far post and in. All I know is it passed 3 Thorns and 2 NC players before going in.
33' Liv Moultrie nets the second Portland goal, bringing them back into the lead.
goals in back-to-back matches for Liv ā¼ļø pic.twitter.com/s8JEH7X93n
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) April 4, 2026
She neatly slotted away her own rebound. Sheridan had a great first save, but there's no stopping Moultrie.
37' Ashley Sanchez leveled the match again for NC.
She collected the ball in the 18, dribbled around a few Thorns and sent the ball into the back of the net.
39' Tordin found herself with time to shoot at the top of the box, but it was sent over the net.
5 minutes of stoppage added.
46' Macca came up big with a diving save to deny Shinomi's attempt on goal. It could have easily been the go-ahead goal for NC.
HALFTIME
45' Muller replaces Vignola at the half
50' Wilson with a shot that went just over the NC net. Every time she dribbles, it's a joy to watch.
55' Portland with an onslaught of shots in the 55th minute, Soph was really looking to get one here.
59' Macca with another save against Manaka, Portland was caught a few times this match, getting lost around their 18. Both previous goals were in a similar fashion. Luckily, this one didn't become no. 3.
61' Sheridan punched away a cross that Moultrie then skied.
63' Macca with another huge save for Portland. A diving save to deny Sanchez, the following rebound was sent wide. It was an offside call, regardless, but still good work from Macca.
66' Alidou nearly got one going up against her Canadian teammate Sheridan, but ultimately Sheridan was able to collect the ball. Fleming had the cross on that play too... it was all Canada in the 66th minute.
69' Tordin makes way for Padelski, and Castellanos replaces Bogere. NC also makes a change- former Thorns Linnehan replaces Wickenheiser.
76' Haitt with a double clearance, one with her head, the other with her chest to deny NC. Macca went down after a ball to the head following Hiatt's saves but she is able to return to play.
80' NC changes: Weatherholt->Shalgel Betford-Ijeh, and Shinomi-Schlegel.
81' Liv went down, and Ijeh earned a yellow for NC.
84' Castellanos picks up a yellow for a grab on Manaka. Both teams really are level on all counts so far...
87' Sanchez with another opportunity, but her shot is sent wide of the Portland net.
89' Wilson with a rocket on target, but Sheridan denied it.
4 minutes of stoppage added
94' Linnehan had an empty net after a 1v1 against Macca, but she missed the net. Would have been the game-winning goal against her former club, luckily it was not the case tonight.
FINAL WHISTLE: Portland 2-2 NC
Final thoughts:
Overall, a well-matched game; each side had good opportunities and good goals.
Portland got lost a few times in their 18, which cost them this match. It's still early season, and the defence has rotated a little so far, so it's fair to say they'll be figuring that out as the season progresses.
Good goals in the run of play today, which is always a good sign this early in the season.
Soph has to be close to netting her first since returning to play.
Turner going out injured is never something you want to see, but hopefully it was just a tweak that needed some rest and not anything more serious.
Tordin had some more moments showing her potential as well.
The Thorns next play Angel City on the road on April 26th, following the upcoming international break.
