Match Recap: Portland Thorns at Orlando Pride

The Portland Thorns took a long trip to the East Coast to face defending NWSL Shield and Champion, Orlando Pride.

The two teams were separated by one point and both were desperate for three points.

Portland and Orlando both came in with troubling trends in defense - Thorns have given up 1+ goals in 10 straight matches and Pride in seven straight matches.

Which team would come out on top?

The one surprise in the lineup? Daiane with her first start. She would line-up next to Isa Obaze. On the season, Daiane had four appearances and 19 minutes of playing time.

Marta (back) would return for the home side, but on the bench.

First Half

Early on, it was an even affair with both teams trading jabs at one another. Portland found their success through Reilyn Turner who's ability to dribble and speed gave Abello early nightmares. Meanwhile, Orlando found their formula through the counter and on turnovers.

Unfortunately as the half continued, it was mostly the Pride who created the better chances. The Thorns had trouble with their shots all half long and likely felt they should have been ahead.

However, for the visitors to hold the home side to a shutout in the first half, was massive. Were they fortunate with the offside flag on several occasions? Yes.

This game was clear on how it would be played; one team held the possession and one team wanted to pounce on the counter or with direct play.

Even though both teams had their fair share of shots, neither of them were able to put the ball in the back of the net. Well, actually, Orlando did it twice, but both were offside.

For Portland, two players were key: Reilyn Turner and Reyna Reyes. The first one because she had the best opportunity for the Thorns in the 17 when the wood denied her. And the second because she came up big in the 33' to block a shot and helped Macca Arnold to keep things scoreless.

Highlights

6' Jacquie "The Magician" Ovalle with the first shot of the game from outside the box and the shot is well-over the bar.

13' Reilyn Turner speeds past Kerry Abello and the cross somehow finds Jessie Fleming at the top of the box. Her shot is deflected - that needed to be taken immediately.

17' Turner's "shross" hits off the post and the rebound finds Coffey at the top of the box but it's sails over the post.

21' Liv Moultrie plays a beautiful pass out-wide to Turner who finds her at the top of the box and nearly the opener.

25' Orlando Pride have multiple looks on goal, but Arnold and the backline deny them both times.

30' Tordin seems to be tripped in the box and VAR checks Rafaelle's challenge on her, but deems no PK

35' Reyna Reyes manages to get a foot in before Haley McCutcheon is able to tap it in, Arnold collects right after.

38' Pietra Tordin picks up the yellow card

40' Arnold plays a terrible pass from the back to Vignola, and Ovalle tries to get around, but is denied by the new Thorns LB.

41' Chance for Tordin but can't beat Moorhouse

45+2' Orlando scores but it's ruled out due to offside

HALFTIME: Portland Thorns 0-0 Orlando Pride

50' M.A. Vignola showed how aggressive she can be in the final third. Sadly, that look was blocked.

60' Sam Coffey is shown a yellow.

63' Substitutions: Mimi Alidou and Deyna Castellanos coming for Tordin and Spaanstra.

78' Substitution: Mallie McKenzie comes for M.A. Vignola.

83' Arnold makes a save!

85' McKenzie gets a yellow card.

86' Good look for the Thorns. Turner, with some footwork on the left, serves the ball to the right but is unable to connect with her teammates.

87' Substitution: Laila Harbert comes for Turner.

90+1' Orlando scores. McKenzie heads that ball and unfortunately, its an own goal.

FULL TIME: Portland Thorns 0-1 Orlando Pride.

Final thoughts

The way Portland lost was brutal. Both teams were pretty even in the stats and a draw would've left them with a poor taste in their mouths, but at least it wouldn't have been so cruel.

Kudos to Orlando, which, although it is not going through its best season, has two magicians on the team. Portland's defense was able to keep one at bay, Ovalle, but couldn't contain the perennial Marta when she came as a sub. She came hungry and smelled blood after McKenzie fouled her.

After missing some games due to injury, La Rainha returned with the sole intention of making a difference on the field, and unfortunately, it had to be against Portland.

Turner did pretty well on the left wing, proving she's a very versatile player, but the Thorns are still missing that final touch. Valerin Loboa didn't see any minutes and Laila Harbert came in the 88' for Turner. Although the game went on until the 90+9', it wasn't enough time for the young player to make a difference. And Tordin, who got the start once again, didn't register a single shot (on or off target) in the entire match.

As a result of the final score, the Thorns lost the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth last night but they'll keep pushing for it against Angel City when they visit them next Sunday. There, they'll face ACFC's Hina Sugita for the first time on the opposite side.