PORTLAND THORNS END 2024 SEASON WITH 2-1 LOSS IN QUARTERFINAL OF NWSL PLAYOFFS
HARRISON, New Jersey (Sunday, November 10, 2024) – Portland Thorns ended its 2024 season with a 2-1 loss at Gotham FC in the Quarterfinal of the NWSL Playoffs.
Gotham came out as the aggressors, establishing control of the possession in the early moments of the match while forcing the Thorns to make several defensive stops. In the 42nd minute it looked as if Sophia Smith had given Portland the lead, but the goal was called back due to her being in an offside position.
The first half ended moments later, with both sides still fighting for the opening goal, heading into the halftime break scoreless.
At the start of the second half it seemed as if Gotham would have a chance to take the lead with a penalty kick opportunity for a possible handball inside the box, but after Video Assisted Review the referee ruled it a corner kick. Moments later Gotham finally broke through when Tierna Davidson chipped in a free-kick cross from Lynn Williams to give the home team the 1-0 lead.
The Thorns equalized in the 75th minute after a free kick saw Olivia Moultrie lift a cross directly onto the head of rookie Reilyn Turner who flicked the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Portland nearly had to go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute when Morgan Weaver’s shot bounced off the crossbar, mere inches from the back of the net.
Gotham retook the lead with the eventual game winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time, with Rose Lavelle slotting a shot into the back of the net to secure the 2-1 win.
UP NEXT: Portland Thorns will return in the new year for the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN:
GFC: Tierna Davidson (Lynn Williams) 67th minute: After earning a free kick opportunity, Williams lofted the ball into the 18-yard-box where Davidson was able to volley her shot into the back of the net.
POR: Reilyn Turner (Olivia Moultrie) 76th minute: Hina Sugita won a free kick just outside of the 18-yard-box, prompting Moultrie to cross the ball, placing it directly onto the head of Turner who flicked her shot into the back of the net.
GFC: Rose Lavelle (Delanie Sheehan) 90+7th minute: Sheehan drove towards the endline before cutting back to send a low cross to Lavelle who slipped a shot past the goalkeeper.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller, Jessie Fleming (Olivia Moultrie 65’), Sam Coffey, Hina Sugita, Morgan Weaver (Payton Linnehan 90+2’), Christine Sinclair (Reilyn Turner 65’), Sophia Smith
Subs not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze, Nicole Payne, Marissa Sheva, Izzy D’Aquila, Alexa Spaanstra
Gotham FC (4-3-3): Ann-Katrin Berger, Mandy Freeman (Bruninha 90’), Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, Jess Carter (Jenna Nighswonger 81’), Nealy Martin, Ella Stevens, Lynn Williams (Delanie Sheehan 90’), Rose Lavelle (McCall Zerboni 90+11), Yazmeen Ryan, Esther González
Subs not used: Michelle Betos, Jessica Silva, Sam Hia
PORTLAND THORNS END 2024 SEASON WITH 2-1 LOSS IN QUARTERFINAL OF NWSL PLAYOFFS
HARRISON, New Jersey (Sunday, November 10, 2024) – Portland Thorns ended its 2024 season with a 2-1 loss at Gotham FC in the Quarterfinal of the NWSL Playoffs.
Gotham came out as the aggressors, establishing control of the possession in the early moments of the match while forcing the Thorns to make several defensive stops. In the 42nd minute it looked as if Sophia Smith had given Portland the lead, but the goal was called back due to her being in an offside position.
The first half ended moments later, with both sides still fighting for the opening goal, heading into the halftime break scoreless.
At the start of the second half it seemed as if Gotham would have a chance to take the lead with a penalty kick opportunity for a possible handball inside the box, but after Video Assisted Review the referee ruled it a corner kick. Moments later Gotham finally broke through when Tierna Davidson chipped in a free-kick cross from Lynn Williams to give the home team the 1-0 lead.
The Thorns equalized in the 75th minute after a free kick saw Olivia Moultrie lift a cross directly onto the head of rookie Reilyn Turner who flicked the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Portland nearly had to go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute when Morgan Weaver’s shot bounced off the crossbar, mere inches from the back of the net.
Gotham retook the lead with the eventual game winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time, with Rose Lavelle slotting a shot into the back of the net to secure the 2-1 win.
UP NEXT: Portland Thorns will return in the new year for the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN:
GFC: Tierna Davidson (Lynn Williams) 67th minute: After earning a free kick opportunity, Williams lofted the ball into the 18-yard-box where Davidson was able to volley her shot into the back of the net.
POR: Reilyn Turner (Olivia Moultrie) 76th minute: Hina Sugita won a free kick just outside of the 18-yard-box, prompting Moultrie to cross the ball, placing it directly onto the head of Turner who flicked her shot into the back of the net.
GFC: Rose Lavelle (Delanie Sheehan) 90+7th minute: Sheehan drove towards the endline before cutting back to send a low cross to Lavelle who slipped a shot past the goalkeeper.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller, Jessie Fleming (Olivia Moultrie 65’), Sam Coffey, Hina Sugita, Morgan Weaver (Payton Linnehan 90+2’), Christine Sinclair (Reilyn Turner 65’), Sophia Smith
Subs not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze, Nicole Payne, Marissa Sheva, Izzy D’Aquila, Alexa Spaanstra
Gotham FC (4-3-3): Ann-Katrin Berger, Mandy Freeman (Bruninha 90’), Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, Jess Carter (Jenna Nighswonger 81’), Nealy Martin, Ella Stevens, Lynn Williams (Delanie Sheehan 90’), Rose Lavelle (McCall Zerboni 90+11), Yazmeen Ryan, Esther González
Subs not used: Michelle Betos, Jessica Silva, Sam Hia
