Turning Point?

(in which the Thorns pull off a huge win against long odds) The Thorns hosted the league-leading North Carolina Courage on Saturday in a rematch of last year’s semi-final playoff match. On the back of an outstanding defensive effort and a Hayley Raso headed goal, they won 1-0. The win moved the team back into […]

Golazo!

(in which the Thorns are fortunate to earn a point, but unhappy not to have three) The Houston Dash hosted the Thorns in a weather-delayed match and snatched a draw from the jaws of victory. A stoppage time golazo by Lindsey Horan saved the Thorns from an ignominious defeat. The final score of 1-1 reflects […]

Not Again!

(In which the Curse of Memorial Stadium continues) This is a short match report for this last of three games in eight days. The Thorns visited the Seattle Reign and once again came home with nothing, losing 2-0. All-time, Portland has taken one point from a possible fifteen there and been outscored 14-2 in the […]

Bouncing

(in which the Thorns bounce back and the house bounces with them) This is a short match report for this busy week of three games in eight days. FC Kansas City came to town in a matchup of the two best defenses in the league. The game was not the grinding affair everyone expected as […]

Where Did We Leave Our Keys?

(In which the Thorns cannot find the key, so Washington locks up three points) This is the first brief match report in this busy period of three games in eight days. For only the second time ever, the Washington Spirit defeated the Portland Thorns. The final score was 1-0 on a Francisca Ordega goal in […]

Not Two Shabby

The ancients said that good things come in threes. For the Thorns recently, average things have come in twos. Two weeks, two roads games, two sunny warm days, two draws, two points, two zeroes, two goals by two teams. Part 1 of 2 FC Kansas City hosted the Thorns on a lovely spring day with […]

The Battle of Morrison Roads

In the opening days of the Civil War, the Confederate ironclad Merrimac steamed into the Hampton Roads naval yards and, without a viable opponent, promptly sank a defenseless relic. Eventually, the Union’s Monitor arrived on the scene. The two exchanged shots from point-blank range for an entire day and ultimately retreated without a victor. Twenty-second […]

It’s Three Points!

(In which the Thorns play a pretty average game but come away with the win) The Thorns hosted the Chicago Red Stars over lunchtime on Saturday but proceeded to eat the entire buffet leaving nary a crumb for their guests. Portland dominated the match from the opening whistle, completing as many passes as the Red […]

Close

(in which the Thorns go cross-country and lose a tight one) The Thorns visited the North Carolina Courage for their inaugural home match on the lovely pitch at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC. The game was a chippy affair with 21 fouls called, two yellow cards issued, a saved penalty kick and several angry […]

And Away We Go

(In which the 2017 season gets an auspicious start) The Thorns started the new season with an attractive win over the Orlando Pride, the league started the new season with new media partners, and the Riveters started the new season with a display worthy of the team’s ambitions. The opening statement The Thorns won 2-0, […]