Sinclair scores as Thorns takes down Red Stars in a high-scoring affair
The Chicago Red Stars attempted a comeback with late goals from Ella Stevens and Allison Schlegel, but the Portland Thorns held on for the win at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois.
Portland had 17 shots at halftime, but was held scoreless until the 43rd minute. That’s when Sophia Smith spun around her defender and dribbled to the top of the box, firing into the left corner for her third consecutive goal and seventh this season.
Immediately after, Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby crashed into Arin Wright in the penalty area. After Wright was stretched with her knee wrapped, Stevens buried the penalty kick to make it 2–1.
Burnaby, B.C.’s Christine Sinclair gave the Thorns a kiss just three minutes later, clearing Crystal Dunn’s cross and calmly sliding her shot into the right corner, but rookie Schlegel countered again for Chicago, heading in a corner in the 82nd.
LOOK | Sinclair scores classic winner for Portland:
Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair’s 75th-minute goal proved to be the winning goal as Portland Thorns defeated Chicago Red Stars 3-2 in NWSL action Sunday.
Chicago (3-8-1) continued to push for an equalizer, including a shot from St-Charles-Borommée, QC, resident, Bianca St. Georges that bounced off the post, but the game would end 3-2.
Portland (6-2-4) has now scored in 19 straight games.
Cooper’s record-breaking strike isn’t enough for Current
Michelle Cooper scored the fastest goal in league history for the Kansas City Current, but the Washington Spirit won 3-2 on the road in the National Women’s Soccer League on Sunday.
RECORD BREAKER!!!
Michelle Cooper scores the fastest goal in NWSL history, just 23 seconds after the opening whistle. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iEVZWosZdG
Debinha doubled the lead in the 23rd minute, sliding a penalty into the bottom left corner after the Spirit were called for a handball in the box.
Rookie Paige Metayer tied the score in the 82nd minute by heading in a corner kick.
The game winner came in the 88th minute. Converted from striker to centre-back this year, Tara McKeown ran onto Dorian Bailey’s cross into the penalty area and scored with her first touch from close range.
Kansas City (3-9-0) had eight shots on target, but goaltender Aubrey Kingsbury made six saves to keep the Spirit in the game.
Racing Louisville shutout Gotham
Savannah DeMelo scored her fifth goal of the season as Racing Louisville shutout Gotham at Lynn Family Stadium in Kentucky. Thembi Kgatlana scored the second goal, her first for Louisville.
DeMelo has been involved in eight goals across all NWSL competitions since the beginning of May, two more than any other player in the league during this span.
At the start of the second half, Kgatlana sprinted forward to open up for a Kirsten Davis pass into the penalty area. Her shot was partially blocked by goalkeeper Abby Smith, but momentum pushed it into the goal.
Kelley O’Hara got a header off the post for Gotham in the 60th minute, and Racing Louisville (3-3-6) goalkeeper Katie Lund made seven saves to earn a shutout.
Gotham (5-4-3) midfielder McCall Zerboni became the second player to appear in 200 games. OL Reign defender Lauren Barnes reached the milestone a week early.
