Match Recap & Highlights: Portland Thorns vs. Utah Royals

A one versus two matchup resulted in a 2-2 draw at Providence Park on Saturday afternoon, with the Portland Thorns earning a point alongside the Utah Royals in their final match before the summer break.

Portland's firepower struck first, with none other than Olivia Moultrie finding the goal in the 21st and putting Portland in control with an early 1-0 lead.

Control that did not last long, however, as Utah tallied back-to-back goals on either side of halftime, leaving the Thorns on the hunt for the equalizer until the final moments – and delivering in dramatic fashion.

In the 89th minute it was Jayden Perry who, fresh off subbing into the game, drew a foul in the box and allowed Sophia Wilson to deliver the 2-2 equalizer off the penalty kick.

With this result the Thorns extend their unbeaten streak at home to nine, and maintain their 2nd place position atop the NWSL leaderboard.

Lineups & Prematch

The Thorns faithful found Olivia Moultrie back in the Starting XI this afternoon. Moultrie, who came off the bench against Kansas City on Sunday, missed the two prior games with a lingering calf injury.

Back on the bench, but available, is Reilyn Turner who we know has also been battling a lingering leg injury.

Highlights

8' Utah with control early

The pace set by Utah pays off with two quick chances for the Royals. One shot is deflected by Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, and one shot goes wide to keep the score even at 0-0.

21' Olivia Moultrie. Greatness.

Pregame Olivia Moultrie said this game was going to be decided in the little moments, and her ferocious approach to this goal tells the whole story.

Moultrie sees an opening, and flies in to create an opportunity, poaching the ball from Utah's defense in the box – and the Thorns jump out to a 1-0 lead on the back of Liv Moultrie.

44' Utah snaps the streak :(

Just minutes before halftime the Utah Royals puts an end to NWSL history, by scoring the first goal at Providence Park by an opponent in over 600 minutes of soccer.

Nuria Rábano lofts a ball to Kiana Palacios in the box, who headers the ball into the back of the net for the Royals – evening the score at one a piece heading into the half, off the picture perfect ball from Utah.

+1 minute of stoppage time added

Halftime: Thorns 1, Royals 1

50' Royals take the lead

The heady press for Utah finally pays off, and allows them to take the lead early in the second half over the Thorns. A result Portland had been able to evade for the first 45 minutes, but not for much longer.

55' Portland escapes unscathed

Utah earns themselves a few more opportunities to lengthen their lead, but Portland perseveres.

Mina Tanaka skates past Mackenzie Arnold in the box before being halted by Reyna Reyes on the recovery, which allows Arnold time to regroup and deflect the shot from Tanaka.

But moments later Utah is able to find the back the net, which would be brought back in an offside call on the Royals.

61' subs for Portland

Reilyn Turner replaces Olivia Moultrie in the 61st minute. Turner, who despite battling an injury made the start in Kansas City on Sunday, comes off the bench this afternoon.

Jennie Immethum makes her second NWSL appearance as she comes onto the pitch for Cassandra Bogere.

64' Hi Alexa 👋

On loan to the Royals from Portland, Alexa Spaanstra makes her return to the pitch at Providence Park as one of three subs to take the field for Utah in the 64th minute.

81' Portland has opportunities

In one of the only opportunities of the 2nd half (so far) for the Thorns, a free kick finds Reyna Reyes in the box. Her shot, however, finds the face of Utah's keeper Mandy McGlynn and is deflected out of bounds.

This results in back-to-back corner kicks for the Thorns, and despite coming close, Portland still comes up empty handed.

85' more subs Portland

Jayden Perry comes on for Sam Hiatt and Shae Harvey replaces Marie Müller, as the Thorns continue to search for the equalizer.

89' PK PORTLAND

Jayden (clutch) Perry draws the foul in the box before the greatest in the game, Sophia Wilson, steps up to drill the penalty kick for the Thorns in the final seconds of regular time.

An elbow in the back by Spaanstra would send Perry to the ground, before being ruled a penalty in the box.

A moment well-deserved by Wilson, who has been physically hounded by the Royals defense this afternoon, gets a chance to step up uncontested and makes the most of it.

+6 minutes of stoppage time added

Final: Portland 2, Utah 2

Final Thoughts

You could have watched this game having not looked at the NWSL standings one time this season, and you would have known there was something on the line for both of these teams.

The intensity, the physicality, pace, and energy – all things that made for an electric matchup between the two best teams in the league. And truthfully, I thought the Thorns lucky to have walked away from this one with a point.

The storyline of the afternoon was the press of the Utah Royals.

Utah provided the Thorns with relentless pressure for all 90+ minutes of this match, and despite finding some rhythm following Moultrie's early goal, by the second half the Royal's press had prevented Portland from finding any offensive consistency.

I will admit, the Thorns ability to grit out this result at home is admirable, but Utah had something to prove coming into Providence Park today, and prove it they did.