**Portland, Oregon** – Portland Thorns FC put on a total and complete performance as they defeated Angel City FC, 3-0, at Providence Park on Wednesday night. The result means the Thorns are now unbeaten in their last eight Challenge Cup games, including the 2021 PK shootout in the final. The streak is now the league record after Houston (7 games) saw their own run ended in their loss to Chicago earlier this year.
Into the first-half action, Angel City, who played their first match away from home on Wednseday, were the more aggressive of the two sides in the opening period of play as it took the visitors just five minutes to test the Portland goal. Receiving a pass in the penalty area and taking a touch on goal, forward Christen Press struck a powerful effort toward Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby’s goal only for it to rise over the crossbar.
In the 27 ^th minute, after they had already managed to test Portland a few more times, Angel City again found itself in impressive space through midfielder Jasmyne Spencer. In possession on the right flank, Spencer started and stopped before starting again to shake a defender as she rushed down her side and into the penalty area. However, her deflected cross-cum-shot was easily collected by Bixby.
However, Portland responded with a pair of opportunities of their own right at the half-hour mark. First, Angel City goalkeeper DiDi Haracic was required to make a brilliant save on midfielder Raquel Rodriguez’s effort. Though Rodriguez’s follow-up header rose over the crossbar, the hosts were able to capitalize on a moment of brilliance from Sophia Smith just one minute later.
Defender Natalie Beckman flew up the left side and found Smith on the run just outside the penalty area. Streaking inside to her right and shaking past a defender, Smith then produced a well-placed curling effort past Haracic to open the scoring and add her second goal in as many games.
As the rest of the half wore on, neither side was able to create another quality chance on goal and Portland carried its narrow lead into the halftime interval.
A pair of chances for Christen Press is how the second half opened, but the American could not land either attempt on goal as Angel City’s search for an equalizer continued. Instead, Portland found a second goal in the 53 ^rd minute through midfielder Yazmeen Ryan.
Just outside the penalty area, after a failed clearance by the Angel City defense following a corner, defender Natalia Kuikka settled the ball and turned inside to fire off a shot at Haracic’s goal. However, the Angel City goalkeeper fumbled the effort and allowed Ryan to get a second look on goal for her side. Pouncing on the chance just in front of net, she roofed her shot to double Portland’s advantage in the second half.
Still repelling Angel City’s opportunities on the attacking end, Portland then managed to tally a third goal on the night in the 78 ^th minute through forward Morgan Weaver. Just one minute after substitute Marissa Everett nearly found her side’s third goal from a Weaver pass, the forward found herself in possession at the top of the box after a layoff from Madison Pogarch. Putting her boot through it, Weaver absolutely slashed a right-footed effort to the far side of goal that pelted the net for her first and Portland’s third of the night.
Seeing out the match, the hosts Portland earned their second straight win and clean sheet as they beat Angel City, 3-0. With OL Reign out of action on Wednesday, the result sees Portland jump into first in the West Division while Angel City remained in fourth place through four games played.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights