The primary night time of summer time felt extra like early spring at Windfall Park, and it was mirrored within the Portland Thorns’ dreary first-half play Saturday night time.
However then the Thorns did what they’ve executed all season at residence: discover a manner. Portland wakened within the second half and beat the struggling Chicago Stars 1-0 to stay unbeaten in 2025 at Windfall Park.
The Thorns broke via within the 59th minute with a sequence of pinpoint passes that led to rookie Pietra Tordin’s third purpose of the NWSL season. That held up as Portland (6-3-4, 22 factors) moved into fourth place within the league desk heading right into a six-week midseason break for worldwide play.
The end result was Portland’s ninth consecutive win or tie at residence this season. The Thorns have received consecutive matches for the primary time since successful six in a row from April 20 to Might 17, 2024.
“I’m actually pleased with this group, we’re three factors out of second place,” Portland coach Rob Gale mentioned. “We’ve the youngest workforce within the league and 6 gamers not out there for the remainder of the season. It’s a outstanding achievement, I don’t care what anybody says.
“You inform me the individuals who believed in that exterior of this room. I didn’t see them at the beginning of the season, that wasn’t the narrative round our workforce. And I’m so happy and pleased with the gamers as a result of they deserve it.”
The Thorns have outscored Chicago (1-9-3, 6 factors) 19-1 of their final eight regular-season conferences.
Portland goalkeeper Bella Bixby recorded her twenty seventh shutout for the workforce, passing AD Franch for essentially the most in membership historical past. Simply earlier than Saturday’s recreation, the workforce introduced a contract extension for Bixby via the 2026 season.
“I like this membership a lot and I really feel like I used to be in some methods raised on this stadium,” mentioned Bixby, a Rex Putnam Excessive graduate. “I’ve seen so many iterations of this workforce and the wonderful goalkeepers who’ve come via this membership. They’ve all touched my profession in significant methods and I’m proud to have my identify amongst them.”
Stated Gale: “The membership means a lot to her. After we’re doing excessive fives as we depart to exit to the sphere, she’s the final one I see and we simply have somewhat hug. She’s a frontrunner, and she or he deserves that report.”
With the temperature within the mid-50s and rain falling intermittently all through the match, the Thorns got here out trying extra just like the workforce that was looking for its manner in March than the one which has risen up the NWSL standings over the past two months.
Regardless of the perceived mismatch on paper, Portland did not register a shot on course within the opening half. Jessie Fleming put the primary shot on purpose within the 52nd minute, however failed to noticeably check Chicago goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz.
Seven minutes later, the house aspect jolted the gang of 17,799 to life with a superb workforce purpose. Hina Sugita led Sam Coffey into the penalty space with well-weighted ball, then Coffey pounded a low cross throughout the face of the purpose within the path of a streaking Tordin, who rocketed a shot over a helpless Mackiewicz and into the roof of the online.
Coffey admitted she was trying to join with Reilyn Turner, who was well-marked in entrance of the purpose, however the ball went via to Tordin.
“Thank God I missed (Turner) as a result of she was much less open than Pietra was, so it labored out,” mentioned Coffey, who principally performs a defensive midfield position however often pushes ahead. “I believe an enormous factor for me is making an attempt to affix the assault extra, and never be so dedicated to that ‘six’ position of mine.”
Tordin has scored in every of her first three profession begins, together with two NWSL matches and the third-place recreation within the Concacaf W Champions Cup.
“She’s such a baller,” Coffey mentioned of Tordin. “Her ft are insane, she truthfully jogs my memory of Christine Sinclair in so some ways. She’s a scientific finisher within the field, and simply so difficult and savvy.”
Payton Linnehan had two prime scoring possibilities shortly after changing Tordin within the second half. Mackiewicz fended off a tough strike by Linnehan from shut vary within the sixty fifth minute, then Linnehan hit the crossbar with an try from 15 yards out within the 71st minute.
The NWSL will now go on an prolonged break as some gamers will be part of worldwide groups for pleasant matches and others will journey to month-long tournaments.
The Thorns are scheduled to host friendlies at Windfall Park on July 23 and 26, however the particulars of these video games are nonetheless being finalized. Their subsequent league recreation can be August 3 on the Washington Spirit.
The Thorns could have a number of gamers away for worldwide obligation, and people who stay will get a while away from the workforce to recharge and go to their properties.
“They get to get some relaxation and be human beings for the primary time since January,” mentioned Gale. “However then we’re again right here per week later and proper via till November. They get on very well as a gaggle, but it surely’s additionally essential to exit and see the people who find themselves behind them.”
The Thorns introduced Friday that rookie winger Caiya Hanks will miss the rest of the season with an damage to her left knee. Hanks tore her ACL in final Sunday’s residence win over Washington. The 20-year-old began the season in a reserve position however earned elevated taking part in time resulting from her pace and dynamic presence on the assault, scoring two objectives and main the workforce with 9 pictures on course this season.
Hanks is the fourth Thorns participant to be positioned on the season-ending damage record, becoming a member of Marie Muller, Nicole Payne and Morgan Weaver. Olivia Wade-Katoa and Sophia Wilson are out for the yr on maternity depart.
