In the battle of the league’s top two teams, Portland came out the winner. Chicago could not recover from early defensive mistakes and fell 2-0. This is only the second time this season Chicago has conceded more than one goal in a game.
Portland capitalized on a Chicago mistake in the 6th minute. Red Star Julie Johnston mis-trapped the ball and ended up chasing it back toward her own goal. Portland’s Tobin Heath and Christine Sinclair pressured Johnston. Her second touch to turn away from goal was too long. Sinclair pounced on the ball, firing it into the Chicago’s net from about five yards out.
Despite several forays into Portland’s final third over the next ten minutes, Chicago could not find the equalizer. Sofia Huerta had the best chance in the eighth minute when Alyssa Mautz played the ball in behind the Thorn’s backline. Huerta had only Portland’s goalkeeper to beat, but her shot ricocheted off the far post and Portland easily cleared the ball. In the 14th minute, Christen Press tried her luck from twenty yards out only to have her shot easily saved by Portland goalkeeper Michelle Betos. The Thorns gave up a free kick in the 16th minute about 30 yards from their goal. Red Star Danielle Colaprico floated the free kick to Mautz at the far left post. Unfortunately, her touch flew harmlessly over Portland’s goal.
Amandine Henry got her first start for Portland and made her presence known with several chances and the assist on the Thorn’s second goal. Henry out-leapt her defender to head Tobin Heath’s corner toward the Red Stars’ goal. The ball caromed off Nadia Nadim’s head and into Chicago’s goal to put the Thorns up 2-0.
During the rest of the match, Chicago had more of the ball, but could not find the killer pass. The Thorns’ defense stood strong against many Red Stars attacks in the second half. Michelle Betos had several brave saves for Portland.
All in all, Chicago has really improved their possession over the course of the season. Unfortunately, they could not continue the good finishing from last week. Portland’s defense was too good. Arin Gilliland did an excellent job keeping Tobin Heath under wraps for the duration of the game. Gilliland and Casey Short continue to get into the Red Stars attack. However, Chicago aren’t doing enough to pull their opponent’s defense out of shape and create quality chances.
Next Match:
Chicago (5-2-3, 18 pts) travels to Rochester, NY to face the rising Western New York Flash (6-4-0, 18 pts) on Friday, 1 July. Kick off is at 6pm CDT.
Portland (5-0-5, 20 pts) visit the Orlando Pride (5-5-0, 15pts) on Sunday, 26 June. Kick off is at 5pm EDT.
Lineups:
Chicago Red Stars 4-4-2 (Flat back with diamond midfield)
Naeher; Gilliland, Johnston, Johnson, Short; Colaprico, DiBernardo, Da Costa, Mautz; Press (C), Huerta
Substitutes:
61’ Comeau for Da Costa
70’ Hoy for Mautz
81’ Naughton for Short
Portland Thorns
Betos; Klingenberg, Menges, Sonnet, Reynolds; Heath, Henry, Horan, Long, Nadim; Sinclair (C)
Substitutes:
79’ Weber for Nadim
85’ Raso for Sinclair
Goals:
6’ POR – Sinclair
25’ POR – Nadim (Henry)
Misconduct:
None
