Thorns FC remain in first
A win on the road agains the Washington Sprit has allowed the Thorns to retain their grip on first place in the NWSL. 3 wins and 1 tie from their first 4 games has the Thorns looking down at the rest of the table. Both Boston and Kansas city remain close with less points but having played one less game each.
The Thorns pulled ahead of washington with a penalty kick in the first 12 minutes. Alex Morgan worked her way into the box with no where to go. When she turned to go away from goal, the Sprit defender lunged in and committed what may have been a soft foul. The referee saw enough to award a kick from the spot and Morgan stepped up to cleanly convert the penalty low to the keepers right side.
53rd minute:
NIkki Washington, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite player’s picked off a bad pass from a Sprit defender, just outside our attacking box. Washington cut inside onto her right foot, and curled a ball, around a defender, and cleanly into the bottom corner of the goal. The goalkeeper stretched, and nearly got there, but the placement of the shot was perfect. 2-0
IN the final minutes of the second half, Washington earned penalty of their own after a foul by portland defender Jazmyne Avant. Diana Matheson stepped up and put the ball past Thorns GK Karina LeBlanc. 2-1 for the final 5 minutes + injury time, but the points were safe.
3 points on the road and another big win for Cindy Parlow’s young team.
Joseph Fleming
Supporter of the Thorns, Timbers and Manchester City. I've been playing soccer for 30 years and coaching for 12. Coach for Washington Timbers, was a girls coach for a decade and now coach U-12 Boys. Played at Evergreen High school and Clark College. Hoping to turn this into more of a tactical discussion this year.