**PORTLAND, Ore.** – Portland Thorns FC kicked off their 2023 campaign with a resounding 4-0 win over the Orlando Pride with four different goalscorers shining in front of over 15,000 fans at Providence Park. The 2022 NWSL Champions have now won their last three regular season opening games by a combined 12-0 (5-0 vs. Chicago – 2021, 3-0 vs. Kansas City – 2022) as the club also became the first team in NWSL to rack up 100 regular season wins.
The action came early as Portland’s corner in the third minute nearly resulted in the game’s opening goal. As defender Meghan Klingenberg took corner kick duties, she whipped in a curling in-swinger that landed directly on the head of forward Christine Sinclair. Sinclair directed her header to the far post and came narrowly close to scoring herself, but so did forward Sophia Smith who was inches away from getting on the end of the ball and beating Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse with a point-blank effort. Seven minutes later, attacker Morgan Weaver received an aerial ball out on the right side and tested Moorhouse with a right-footed effort after she cut inside. This time, though, Moorhouse was able to collect with both hands to end the move.
However, Portland’s pressure proved too much as the side opened the scoring in the 16 ^th minute through Weaver’s tap-in from just a few yards out. Crystal Dunn was able to sprint forward down the right side to collect a pass that was barely still in play by the endline. Playing the ball back to teammate Hina Sugita on the right side, Sugita then played a low ball into the box that the forward Sinclair latched onto. Sinclair collected and then managed to get a right-footed snapshot off that Moorhouse kept out, but she was unable to parry the ball far enough away from the Portland attack and Weaver pounced on the chance and rolled the ball home from close range.
Orlando’s night then went from bad to worse in the 22 ^nd minute when a failed clearance by rookie Pride defender Emily Madril ricocheted off Sinclair and fell right in the attacker’s path. Breaking toward the endline, Sinclair then slid a pass back to the center of the 18-yard box where an onrushing Sophia Smith came to meet it by the penalty spot. Not even taking a touch, Smith rifled a right-footed effort that sailed past Moorhouse and the Pride defense to double the hosts’ lead. A landmark goal for Smith, the occasion marked the first time in league history that a player scored in three straight home openers.
Portland’s onslaught continued in the 30 ^th minute with Smith having another opportunity in front of goal. A through ball played ahead allowed Smith time in behind the defense, and after she created enough space to get a shot away, she could only watch in agony as her effort rebounded off the post and eventually into the arms of Moorhouse, who was no doubt relieved to have not conceded a third goal inside the game’s opening half-hour. Orlando was not entirely without chances though as rookie Messiah Bright managed to get on the end of teammate Adriana’s corner in the 38 ^th minute. The two fresh faces for the Pride combined as the Brazilian swung in a deep corner kick, and Bright leapt over the Thorns defense to meet the delivery. However, Bright was unable to keep her header down and the ensuing effort landed high over the crossbar as the visitors attempted to build any sort of momentum.
At the break, Portland held onto their two-goal advantage and would only further the visitors’ misery just minutes into the second half.
In the 48 ^th minute, Smith again created space in the box and, after a set of stepovers, cut inside onto her lethal right foot where she fired on Moorhouse’s goal. In a similar vein to the first goal, the Pride goalkeeper did all she could to keep out the initial effort, but the rebound spilled into the path of Sugita who had little to do but punch it home and add a third goal for her side’s tally.
Finally, in the 76 ^th minute, Providence Park erupted for the final time of the evening as substitute Michele Vasconcelos tapped home a Sophia Smith cross for her team’s fourth and final goal of the evening. The ever-present Smith was in position on the right side of the field where she opted to sprint down toward the byline and deliver a low cross in front of goal. Vasconcelos then well to cut in front of a Pride defender and bundle the ball over the line as Portland’s stamp on the match became permanent.
In the end, it was another fantastic showing from one of the league’s deepest teams as the Thorns began the year with an emphatic 4-0 win over Orlando. Portland has terrorized the Pride as of late, winning the last two regular season home matches by a combined 10-0 scoreline after Sunday’s triumph.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights