**Orlando, Florida** – Portland Thorns FC defeated the Orlando Pride by two goals while maintain a clean sheet in a dominant performance that saw the visitors lead in the shots and shots on target categories while maintaining the majority of the possession throughout.
The best chance for either side came in the 18 ^th minute when Portland Thorns attacker Hina Sugita tested Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, who was new to the starting XI. Collecting a pass and driving toward the left side, Sugita pulled up from a central position just outside the penalty area and curled a left-footed effort to her right. However, Moorhouse was able to make a good save despite nearly spilling the initial effort.
Then, six minutes later, Portland again tested Moorhouse as forward Sophia Smith struck from close range after a well-worked move. Distributing the ball throughout midfield and into attack, a pass was played through from attacker Morgan Weaver to Smith who was cutting in toward the box. Smith then took a couple of touches forward and fired a powerful effort toward the near post that Moorhouse pushed up high with the chance eventually clearing. Two minutes later, it was Weaver who was played in down the left flank but had a shot at the near post held well by Moorhouse.
However, the Thorns attack would not be stopped much longer as they combined for forward Yazmeen Ryan to put her side ahead in the 31 ^st minute. Another great move by Portland saw the ball pushed to the left side again for Weaver again. Her ball played into the box found Ryan in the middle of the penalty area after she rushed inside to meet the pass, and she flicked the high pass into the back of the net to beat Moorhouse and go one up.
Orlando did create an opportunity of their own in the 41 ^st minute, beginning with a free kick effort from defender Toni Pressley. Having earned a set piece just outside the box on the right side, the left-footed Pressley rocketed a shot into the wall that scurried out for a corner. There, midfielder Erika Tymrak clipped a ball in to the near post that midfielder Mikayla Cluff headed on toward the back post, though it ultimately was redirected too far wide.
At the halftime interval, the visiting Thorns did well to go ahead by a goal, though the Pride defense would be equally pleased by their performance in the first half. However, it would bard to agree that Portland did not to deserve to lead given the 10-4 shots advantage, a 5-0 shots on target advantage and 56 percent of the possession.
Into the second half, Portland nearly double their lead again through Ryan with the attacker getting a chance in front of goal in the 49 ^th minute. A triangle move on the left saw defender Meghan Klingenberg break down toward the endline where she cut the ball back into the box. Striving into the center of the area to meet the pass, Ryan was ultimately unable to keep her effort down as the shot sailed over the crossbar.
As the visitors continued to dominate possession and create the lion’s share of chances, though, they would end up finding their second goal in the 65 ^th minute in impressive fashion. Another ball to the left side for Weaver saw the ball crossed in where it eventually landed at the feet of midfielder Olivia Moultrie. Taking the ball to the top of the box, Moultrie then laid the ball off for teammate Hina Sugita, who cut a laser effort with her left foot back toward the bottom right corner and in.
The icing on the cake for Portland then came in the 85 ^th minute when the return of midfielder Crystal Dunn capped off a well-earned team win. Dunn, who became a mother back in May of this year, came in off the bench in a celebrated return to the league.
At the full time whistle, the Thorns had their 2-0 win solidified with goals coming from Yazmeen Ryan and Hina Sugita. Portland was able to bounce back from consecutive losses with the result, while Orlando suffered their second consecutive loss for the first time since June.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights