**Portland, Oregon** – San Diego Wave FC defeated Portland Thorns FC, 2-0, thanks to goals from defender Kristen McNabb and forward Alex Morgan as the visitors kept a clean sheet against the league’s highest scoring side. In doing so, they also jumped back into first place in the league standings.
The Thorns actually produced a chance inside the first minute as a turnover right from the initial kick off resulted in a chance for forward Morgan Weaver. Pouncing on the San Diego midfield right from the whistle, Weaver stole the ball just inside the opposing midfield and headed forward into space. As she approached the 18-yard box, Weaver wound up a right-footed effort that went low and left toward goal, but San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was there to make the save.
The sides settled into the match, and after the opening quarter of an hour, the game produced its first goal via San Diego defender Kristen McNabb. A giveaway inside Portland’s own box saw forward Alex Morgan claim possession and lay a pass off for McNabb just outside the 18-yard box. McNabb then produced a thunderous right-footed effort that sailed over the defense and Portland goalkeeper Bella Bixby to put the visitors in front.
As the hosts battled back, they created an opportunity for forward Sophia Smith in the 34 ^th minute that sailed just inches over the crossbar and out as one of their lone quality chances in the first half. Following a throw-in on the right side, attacker Hina Sugita laid off a pass for Smith who was carrying the ball into the penalty area. Lining up a shot, Smith curled a left-footed effort toward the top left corner but the ball was no more than a few inches higher than required as it went over the crossbar and out of play.
Looking to capitalize on Portland’s lack of conversion, San Diego’s counterattack proved lethal as it helped the Wave go two-up on the Thorns in the 42 ^nd minute. In possession in midfield was San Diego’s Taylor Kornieck. Picking her head up, Kornieck spotted the run of Morgan in behind the defense to her left. Kornieck then played Morgan in on goal, and the forward produced a classy clip toward the back post that nestled into the far side netting as the Wave went up a pair.
Into the second half, Portland continued to knock on the door as forwards Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver tested the Wave FC back line. Just before the hour mark, Smith held possession in the attacking third and, as she spun toward goal, fired a ball across that the goalkeeper Sheridan had to claim to end the move.
Then, in the 71 ^st minute, forward Morgan Weaver was denied by Sheridan again as a ball back in from a corner kick saw Weaver dive toward it, only for it to bounce off the top of her head and into the air where Sheridan was ablet to collect. Ten minutes later, it was Smith again with an opportunity as she was fed in toward goal on the right side of the field, but she was unable to keep a right-footed blast on target as it landed in the side netting on the outside of the goal.
In the end, though, Portland would be unable to stage a comeback as San Diego again claimed the top spot in the league standings with a big win. For Portland, it’s an unfortunate set of back-to-back losses in league play for the first time in 2022, while for Wave FC bounces back from back-to-back losses of their own with two straight wins after last weekend’s victory over Houston.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights