Ladies First: NWSL Challenge Cup 2022 Portland Thorns North Carolina Courage

6 aout 2022

Providence Park

ENG

NWSL.2022.Portland.North.Carolina.twb22.ENG.mp4

6.7 Go

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The Portland Thorns battled the North Carolina Courage to a wild 3-3 draw art Providence Park on Wednesday night. Sophia Smith and Diana Ordóñez traded braces, Morgan Weaver added one for the Thorns, and Jaelene Daniels had the final equalizer for the visitors.

The Thorns trotted out a very strong and offensive-minded lineup, featuring Sophia Smith, Morgan Weaver, and Christian Sinclair in the eleven. That offensive set up paid off early for the home side as Sophia Smith opened the scoring in the eighth minute, burning all of North Carolina’s backline in vintage Sophia Smith fashion to score Portland’s first goal. The first half was defined by Portland’s suffocating pressure, forcing North Carolina into turnover after turnover. The Thorns’ midfielders and attackers feasted on those second balls, turning them into scoring chances. One of those chances ended in Portland’s second goal, as Sugita pounced on a misplayed ball to create an opportunity that fell to the feet of Morgan Weaver right in front of the goal. She made no mistake and scored to stretch Portland’s lead to two goals in the 24th minute.

The first half ended with Portland holding a 2-0 advantage, and very much being the dominant team on the field. North Carolina however came out with a renewed energy in the second half, showing an increased urgency and intensity. The visitors were eventually able to capitalize on that renewed push, behind the scoring prowess of Diana Ordóñez. The rookie forward scored on two headers in the second half, leveling the game as affairs entered the final handful of minutes. The final 13 minutes and change were a wild back and forth affair. Sophia Smith tallied for the Thorns yet again, as she cooly slotted home Portland’s third goal in the 77th minute after collecting an excellent entry ball from Olivia Moultrie. But Jaelene Daniels struck back for the Courage to level affairs for the second time late in the 85th minute. And level was how affairs would end, as Portland let two separate leads slip late and were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw with the Courage.