Portland Thorns vs. Orlando Pride

Portland, Oregon – In a fixture that featured two teams who were tied atop of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) standings heading into the weekend, it was ****the Portland Thorns (6-3-1, 19 points) who came away with the 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride (4-3-4, 16 points).

Portland has now scored two or more goals in 10 of its meetings against Orlando which breaks the record for most times scoring multiple goals in a match for any club against a single opponent since Orlando joined the NWSL in 2016. The Thorns had a few early chances and was finally able to capitalize on one to score the games opening goal in the 26' when Sophia Smith received a pass from Rocky Rodriguez and dribbled it up the right side and sent in a beautiful shot from just outside the box to give Portland the 1-0 lead. This now marks the eighth goal for Portland that was scored within the first 30' of play this season. Net minder, Ashlyn Harris once again stepped up in a major way for the Pride as Rodriguez took to take a penalty kick in the 39' but Harris knew where the ball was going and dove to her left to record the save. Orlando tried to capitalize on the momentum gained as a few minutes later, Courtney Petersen sent a cross that Sydney Leroux just headed over the cross bar. Portland kept their pressure up in the second half and was able to score again in the 58' from a stellar service by Meghan Klingenberg into the box where Marissa Everett finished it off with a header that beat the diving Harris in the top right corner. The Pride kept pushing until the final minutes as they broke their club record for a latest goal (previously broke the record last game, 94') when Marisa Viggiano settled the pass from Abi Kim in the box and found the back of the net, in the 95' of action. The goal was also the sixth goal scored this season in the 76' or later for Orlando.

Bella Bixby of the Thorns, broke the NWSL record for most consecutive minutes without allowing a goal. Portland and Orlando have now met 13 times in the regular season and playoffs with Portland having beaten Orlando in 10 of those games (10-2-1).

Orlando will now head back home for a match up against the OL Reign with kickoff set for Saturday, July 24 at 7:00 PM ET. The Thorns will now shift their attention to the Dash as they will travel to Houston on July 24 for a 8:30 PM ET kickoff.