**PORTLAND, Ore.** – Portland Thorns FC defeated Racing Louisville FC, 2-0, at Providence Park after an early goal by forward Christine Sinclair was padded by forward Morgan Weaver’s last first half tally as Portland registered 20 shots (six on target) to earn another clean sheet and win to start the season. The result sees Portland remain unbeaten with three wins and a draw—the best record in the league through four matches played.
It took just two minutes for Portland to find the back of the net as forward Sophia Smith, who still leads the league’s early Golden Boot charge with four goals, caused a bit of chaos for the Louisville defense down the left side of the field. Smith then saw teammate Crystal Dunn at the top of the penalty area and played a pass her way, but Dunn was clever enough to dummy the ball and leave it for the onrushing Christine Sinclair. Sinclair then struck a low, powerful drive with her right foot that clipped the inside of the left post and rolled in for the opening goal. The strike was Sinclair’s 60 ^th in league play, joining Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams as the two players to score their 60 ^th NWSL goal on the same day.
In the 12 ^th minute, Portland’s attack continued to roll on as fluid attacking play by the hosts allowed for a quick move forward. The ball ended up being worked all the way to the left side for Weaver, who fired on goal with her right foot after cutting in only for Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund to produce a fine stop. Lund would go on to produce another impressive save in the 36 ^th minute when she got in front of a double stop on Smith and Sinclair—both from inside the penalty area—to solidify once more her identity as one of the best shot stoppers in the league.
However, Lund could not keep the hosts at bay forever as the hosts capitalized on a recovery inside their attacking half and sealed the result with a first-half stoppage time goal by Weaver. Smith was on the ball in the left side of the penalty area and attempted to play in teammate Hina Sugita near the penalty spot. Like Dunn earlier, Sugita left the ball for Weaver who was just behind her, and Weaver would not be denied from just a few yards out as Portland doubled its lead before the break.
Into the second half, Louisville’s Ary Borges tested Portland goalkeeper Bella Bixby with a powerful drive in the 53 ^rd minute that Bixby was able to tip over the bar. Then, in the 59 ^th minute, Louisville’s Jaelin Howell had a header from the right side of the six-yard box saved by Bixby following a corner kick by Borges. Despite their momentum, Louisville could not find the goal they needed and instead nearly faced a three-goal deficit when Weaver put the ball in the back of the net for Portland, only for it to be chocked off after a handball incident pulled play back via VAR review.
Looking to spark a late comeback, Louisville created a flurry in front of the Portland goal in the 83 ^rd minute as midfielder Paige Monaghan broke in behind the Thorns defense and won a corner for her side. That corner resulted in defender Abby Erceg getting a head on the delivery only for the Portland defense to clear near the line, and the follow up effort from Howell outside the 18-yard box was nothing more than hopeful.
Portland would end up seeing out eight minutes of added time to close out the match and earn their third win in four games to date. The win also saw goalkeeper Bella Bixby pick up her 20 ^th career clean sheet, the fastest to such a milestone in league history. Meanwhile, Racing’s unbeaten start to the season is snapped after their three opening draws to start the year were followed by Saturday night’s loss in Portland.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights