Portland Thorns Edge Past San Diego Wave by One Goal at Providence Park

The Portland Thorns edged Sand Diego Wave by a solitary goal scored by Izzy D’Aquila in minute 85, assisted by Janine Beckie. A near photo finish finale in this NWSL regular season match with an attendance of  over 18,000 spectators.

The Thorns were able to offer a victory to their fans after that massive 4-1 defeat hosting Kansas City Current, and a nil-nil draw away in Salt Lake City against the Utah Royals.

San Diego on the other hand, sank in the table below the playoff line, having able to just draw two of its last five matches with the other three resulting in defeats. The Wave’s last win dates back to early May.

They are not experiencing a good moment, with just 15 points, and a negative -5 goal difference, on top of the controversy over allegations of abusive work culture brought up by former employee Brittany Alvarado. Allegations against that president Jill Ellis that the club denies categorically.

The Wave’s sound defensive order was able to hold in front of the Thorns’ talented attack, the problem for the Californians seems to be that the poor goal production they have suffered this season is failing to take advantage of their solid defense work.

Portland played their usual aggressive game, pressing high trying to keep the game in their opponents’ half, sending deep passes to winger Janine Beckie and forward Sophia Smith, forcing San Diego to keep numbers in the back. Beckie worked tirelessly and played her best game since she came back from her knee injury.

Midfielders Hina Sugita, Jesie Fleming, and Sam Coffee, made more with less possession, hampering the opposition’s ability to play fluidly and imposing their quality bringing the ball forward. Specially, the Japan international, Sugita exhibited her skillful footwork working between lines under the heavy pressure of San Diego’s defensive half.

In front of the Thorns midfield, there were the spark of magic by Sophia Smith, and touches of quality from Christine Sinclair. Sophia was always dangerous but a bit unlucky in the finish.

Portland looked sharper, but the hard work of the San Diego defense, and ultimately, goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan kept them in the game.

San Diego however, enjoyed a majority of the possession, but they seemed to have a bit of a harder time getting pass the two thirds line to their forwards, specially their star Alex Morgan.

Thorns defense held with good work Isabella Obaze and Beckie Sauerbrunn, with wing backs Reyna Reyes and Marie Müller both helping back and serving as an outlet bringing the game forward.

The run of the play was tilting on the side of the Thorns, but it was San Diego who got closer to take the advantage when a goal by Alex Morgan was ruled offside in minute 37. A clear offside after a wide strike or pass by left winger Maria Sánchez after a cross by Makenzy Doniak from all the way from right side, near the corner flag, of the goal defended by Shelby Hogan.

The disallowed goal had come when San Diego was exhibiting their best minutes threatening the Portland defense in numbers. The balanced game looked like it was almost settled for a 0-0 stalemate, still offered an entreating contest with plenty of back and forth, but lacking that extra oomph essential for goals.

That extra something had to wait till minute 85. It came when Thorns midfielder Jesie Fleming skillfully trapped a ball outside the box cleared under pressure by San Diego’s defense. She quickly turned short passed it in the path of Janine Beckie’s full speed run. The Canadian international broke through the defensive line left of the goal, to serve a precise pass to the center of goal area, where D’Aquila’s first touched it to the net.  D’Aquila, had subbed in for Christine Sinclair ten minutes earlier.

D’Aquila short sprint took by surprise both Wave defenders Abby Dahlkemper, Hanna Lundkvist, and Keeper Kailen Sheridan, acting doubtful about who was to anticipate the play, and may have presumed a non existent off side. The play was reviewed in the VAR by the referee but ultimately counted for Portland’s victory.