Match Recap & Highlights: Portland Thorns vs San Diego Wave

It was a party in Portland last night as the Thorns topped the San Diego Wave 2-0.

With goals from Marie Müller (the first of her Thorns career) and Sophia Wilson (her second in back-to-back matches), the Portland defense came up clutch to shut out the Wave.

By outright earning 3-points tonight in Portland, the Thorns have now reached the spot atop the NWSL's leaderboard for the first time since 2023.

Lineups & Prematch

With a fast turnaround from Los Angeles to Portland, and matches on Sunday and now Wednesday, there were some fresh legs in the lineup for the Thorns defensively tonight.

Three new defenders took their places on the backline – Marie Müller, Jayden Perry, and Isa Obaze, replacing Carolyn Calzada, Sam Hiatt, and MA Vignola.

With Hiatt on the bench, it was Jessie Fleming who sported the captain's armband tonight for the Thorns.

Highlights

10' Marie Müller GOALLLLL

10 minutes into this one and Marie Müller records her first career NWSL goal – a huge upper hand for the Thorns as they grab the lead early in this heavily anticipated matchup.

Müller is assisted from Olivia Moultrie, in the 20-year-old's 100th career appearance for the Thorns.

With the addition of Müller, the Thorns have now added two new names to the scorebook in the last two games – Sophia Wilson and Marie Müller – both helping to lighten the load for this young team offensively.

30' Portland problems with the press

While it isn't reflected on the scoreboard for the Wave, a turnover near the box from Jayden Perry was emblematic of chances created by the visitors, and the San Diego press continues to create problems for Portland.

Despite an early goal from Portland, it was the Wave who mostly dominated possession in the first 10 minutes largely as a result of the high press – which continues to present problems for the Thorns late into the first half.

41' Welcome back Soph Wilson

After earning her first yellow card since her return from maternity leave, I can now officially say, Sophia Wilson is back.

It's an ordinary foul that gets her booked, after a flurry of them from her in the first half – consider it a warning for Wilson, although I'm sure no Thorns fan is too mad to see her playing in her truest form tonight.

+1 minute of stoppage time added

Halftime: Thorns 1, Wave 0

55' opportunities aplenty for the Wave

Chaos creates opportunities for San Diego early in the second half, but it is the Thorns defense that holds strong (with a few missed chances from the Wave working in Portland's favor as well).

59' SUB PORTLAND

Mimi Alidou comes onto the pitch replacing Reilyn Turner. An exact sub made by Portland in their match against Angel City on Sunday, down to the exact minute.

60' big moment MACCA

Mackenzie Arnold's first save of the match comes in a clutch moment. After San Diego breaks Portland's backline, Macca is met in a 1 versus 1 with Wave attacker Gabi Portilho – and Macca wins this one.

64' okay now she's back.

Sophia Wilson scores her first goal back at Providence Park since her return from maternity leave, and her second goal in just four days.

Credit to Jessie Fleming here as well, who turns defense into offense and turns San Diego over in their backfield, before getting the ball to Wilson.

70' Macca 2 - Porthilo 0

Moments later Porthilo finds herself another opportunity in the box for San Diego, but nothing gets past Arnold who wins another round versus the Wave's attack.

76' Renee Lyles Providence Park debut

Lyles fresh off her NWSL debut on Sunday, replaces Pietra Tordin in the 76th minute for Portland.

85' Vignola for Reyes

Reyna Reyes makes her exit from the pitch, with a substitution made by Portland bringing MA Vignola on to finish out the match.

+2 minutes of stoppage time added

Final: Portland 2, San Diego 0

Final Thoughts

Despite another goal from Soph, a first-career NWSL goal from Müller, and a shutout from Macca, Jessie Fleming is my player of the match.

Fleming's presence and impact was felt in every moment of this match, and not just through the midfield. Fleming created goal-scoring opportunities for her teammates, and was the last line of defense for the Thorns tonight more times than one.

However, defensively it wasn't just Fleming's ability to recover, but the team as a whole time after time tonight when the Wave had their opportunities. To shut out San Diego this season is no small feat, and in my opinion could very well be the most impressive part of this win.

This was a perfectly well-rounded match for Portland, that showcased why they will find themselves alone atop the NWSL leaderboard after tonight's victory.