Thorns FC Forced to Battle Back Once Again
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Tuesday, May 12, 2015
J.R. Taylor, GoLocalPDX Contributor
Portland Thorns FC rallied from a two-goal deficit for a second-straight match as midfielder Allie Long scored the equalizer in a 2-2 draw against the Washington Spirit. Providence Park hosted 14,236 fans on Saturday evening. Thorns FC Head Coach Paul Riley showed optimism speaking out about Portland’s second consecutive draw.
“You’re home, so when you play at home you try and get three points,” Riley Said. “We keep giving teams 2-0 head starts, but fought back again.”
Following this weekend’s nail biter, Thorns FC move to 2-0-2 (8pts), marking the second consecutive season in which the team has opened the campaign with a four-game unbeaten streak. The women increased their home unbeaten streak at Providence Park to eight straight games.
Washington took a 2-0 lead after just 15 minutes of play. The second game in a row that Portland’s defensive line has allowed two early goals in the first half.
“I mean obviously Washington came in with a game plan and that was to put us under pressure and press high,” Said Thorns FC Defender Kat Williamson. “I think second half adjustments we corrected that but it was unfortunate turnovers and it happens in the game. I think this is the first team that we faced that put us under pressure, high, hard and I think it was something we needed to experience. Something we can hopefully learn from and move forward from.”
Portland battled back to pare the gap in half. The incursion was lead by the midfield as Long and forward Sarah Jackson connected through a number of passes.
Off of the nifty pass inside the square from Long, Jackson displayed her spin moves and fired, low shot to the left corner that was deflected by Washington goalkeeper Kelsey Wys. Immediately following, Midfielder Mana Shim collected the rebound and tallied Portland’s first goal in the 28th minute to make the score 2-1.
Thorns FC put together another run early in the second half of play. Allie Long provided the excellent goal in the 51st minute, making this her fourth score of the season. Following a turnover from Washington, Shim chased down the ball and delivered a through ball to Long. Long placed the shot directly above the goalkeeper to level the score.
Once again, the Thorns had multiple opportunities to take the lead after crawling back from an early two goal deficit. The missed opportunities added up as Long was unsuccessful on both a penalty kick, and a close-range attempt.
Still, Thorns FC remain undefeated against Washington (4-0-2). Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer tallied five saves against the Spirit, and had multiple important saves late in the match.
This Saturday Thorns FC hop back in the team minivan and set off for Boston to play the Breakers for the second time this season since the season opener. Portland took an easy 4:1 victory over the Breakers back in April.. Portland hasn’t performed excellent on the road, and the last time these two teams met Portland was accompanied by it’s U.S. National Team players.
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Alex Morgan, 25, is a forward for the Portland Thorns. She recently signed with the club in January of 2013 after playing for the Western New York Flash and the Seattle Sounders. She rose to prominence because of her success playing for the United States women’s national soccer team. Morgan was the youngest player to represent the U.S. during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She will once again represent team USA this summer as they prepare to head off to Canada for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Photo credit: Alex Morgan's Facebook page
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Photo credit: Meyers Leonard's Facebook page
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Kaylyn Kyle
Kaylyn Kyle, 26, is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for the Portland Thorns. She is also a member of the Canadian women’s national team. Kyle was part of the 2012 Canadian national team that defeated France in the bronze medal game. She is also an ambassador for, Right To Play, which is an organization dedicated to using soccer as a resource to educate and empower children from disadvantaged communities.
Photo credit: Kaylyn Kyle's Facebook page
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Gaston Fernandez
Gaston Fernandez, 31, is a striker for the Portland Timbers. The club signed the Argentinian striker back in January of 2014. During his MLS debut with the Timbers he scored an equalizer goal that extended the Timbers unbeaten home record to sixteen.
Photo credit: via forums.bigsoccer.com
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Marcus Mariota
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Photo credit: via Oregon Football's Facebook page
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Ellie Cribbins
Ellie Cribbins is a second year Blazer Dancer for the Portland Trailblazers. Cribbins is originally from Portland, Oregon but attended Oregon State University. This season proved to be a unique one for Cribbins since her sister also made the Blazer Dancers last August.
Photo credit: via Ellie Cribbin's Facebook page
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Jake Gleeson
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Photo credit: via solofutbol.cl
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Janie Takeda
Janie Takeda, 21, is a senior outfielder for the University of Oregon. The Dallas Charge of the National Pro Fastpitch League recently drafted her 26th overall. Takeda was also selected to play on the United States women’s national team during the 2015 summer season. She is set to graduate from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication this spring.
Photo credit: Janie Takeda's Facebook page
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Damian Lillard
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Maggie Rouse
Maggie Rouse, 20, is a junior cheerleader for the University of Oregon. She just completed her third year on the team. When she tried out as a freshman she never expected to make the squad. Yet, here she is two years later. She is currently majoring in Educational Foundations.
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LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge, 29, is widely considered to be one of the best power-forwards in the NBA. The Texas native is averaging 23.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game this season for the Portland Trailblazers. He is also a four-time NBA All-Star. On March 10th, 2015 Aldridge became the Trailblazers all-time leading rebounder.
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Kaytianna McMillan
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Devon Allen
Devon Allen, 20, just completed his freshman year as a wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks. Not only is he the starting wide receiver for the Ducks he also runs track for the Oregon Outdoor Track and Field team. He recently earned a Gold Medal in the 110 meter hurdles during the 2014 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Although he is recovering from a torn ACL we hope to see him back on the field during the 2015-2016 season.
Phot credit: University of Oregon Facebook page
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Chase De Leo
Chase De Leo, 19, currently plays center for the Portland Winterhawks. His quickness and overall creative offensive game earned him an invite to Team USA’s selection camp back in December of 2014. Of all 30 players who were invited, he was only one of 2 WHL players.
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Darron Thomas
Darron Thomas, 24, is a professional quarterback for the Portland Thunder of the Arena Football League. During his college days he played for the Oregon Ducks. While starting for the Ducks he led to the team to the 2011 BCS National Championship game, as well as the 2012 Rose Bowl. The Texas native recently partook in the NFL Veteran Combine with the hope of upstarting his NFL career.
Photo credit: Portland Thunder Facebook page
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