The Portland Thorns played the North Carolina Courage on Friday in a critical match for the ongoing NWSL playoff race. North Carolina came into the game on a slide, having lost four of their last five. Portland has also had some concerns recently, mainly centering around the middle of their defensive unit.
However, Portland’s place in the top eight was guaranteed if they won this match, making it imperative that their high-powered attack get goals past Kailen Sheridan. Sophia Wilson was out for this game, serving her suspension for a hair-pulling foul that occurred before the international break, as was Morgan Weaver with a thigh issue.
North Carolina’s injury report was slightly longer, with key defender Maycee Bell on SEI along with two others, and another defender, left back Feli Rauch, out with a foot injury. Ally Schlegel, one of their options behind Evelyn Ijeh at striker, had just returned and was available for selection after an injury had placed her on the D-45 list recently. The Courage needed a win if they wanted to keep their playoff hopes alive, so getting Schlegel back on the bench was a balm for the NC attack.
The game started off quickly, with two early chances from Portland, the biggest a shot by Reilyn Turner that Kailen Sheridan got big to deflect before it was cleared out of the box by Uno. The Courage responded by launching some early long balls and trying to make Portland’s slower backline run, and in the sixth minute this resulted in a chip of the keeper for Ashley Sanchez’s 21st goal of the season — or so she thought. Instead, she was called for a clear offsides on the play, the league leading 70th of the year by the Courage.
The first half was also very foul-heavy, with more fouls than total shots, but only one yellow card, against Marie Muller in the 27th minute. The action died down somewhat until the waning moments of the first half when a corner won by an Ashley Sanchez run-and-cross resulted in Ryan Williams crushing a shot off the crossbar from the top of the box, her second shot from the second phase of a corner of the half, adding to her exceptional performance.
The second half was difficult for the Courage, with sustained possession to begin the half until a Bia Gomes yellow card in the 55th minute yielded nothing, and then in the 58th minute, giving up the only goal of the game on a laser by Marie Muller. Reilyn Turner set up the goal with a run and a blocked shot, before Muller followed all the way through on the rebound, the ball being hit with malice and all the power the German could muster.
Carolina had more possession and a couple of chances post-goal, with Ashley Sanchez’s cut-in and shot, a hallmark of her game this season, being the highlight in the 62nd minute.
The significance of this win spread far outside Portland as the NWSL playoff picture finally begins coming into focus ahead of Decision Day with Angel City, Kansas City and Utah securing positions within the top eight. They join Gotham, Washington and San Diego, who occupy the top of the table.
It also leaves North Carolina with a must-win final match against Denver, and Seattle looking for a final win against Orlando to stay in contention, as just three points separate the three squads.
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