On Wednesday night, six weeks after playing their first Challenge Cup match in San Diego, the Portland Thorns FC hosted Angel City FC at Providence Park.
The Thorns' initial persistent pressure was rewarded in the twenty-fourth minute. Michele Vasconcelos scored Portland's first goal of the 2023 Challenge Cup. As a result of a play initiated by novice forward Izzy D'Aquila on the right flank, she sent a soaring cross into the penalty area, where Vasconcelos beat Isenhour to the ball and put it in the back of the net. The 1-0 lead was given to Portland by a swift header from Vasconcelos that struck the back of the net.
The Thorns capitalized on their first opportunity of the second half and doubled their lead within a minute of the resumption. Their second goal of the evening was scored via a corner kick from the left wing. The positioning of Moultrie's dime in the six-yard box left the ball up for grabs as it came in. Izzy D'Aquila seized her moment on the ball before anyone else and nudged it ever-so-slightly past Isenhour. As such, Portland was two goals ahead.
Clarisse Le Bihan brought the visitors to within one goal in the 61st minute with a well-placed strike from the top of the box that Shelby Hogan was unable to reach. Five minutes later, Los Angeles would tie the game from the penalty spot. VAR evaluated a subsequent challenge on Alyssa Thompson, which appeared to be an effective defensive clearance at first inspection. However, referee Adorae Monroy indicated the penalty spot after a brief review, and Angel City's Emslie converted from 12 yards out to officially make it 2-2.
With less than 25 minutes remaining and the score tied at 2-2, both teams went all-in for the win. The Thorns substituted forward Morgan Weaver in the 69th minute and inserted Sophia Smith in the 80th minute in search of a game-winning goal.
It occurred in minute two of stoppage time. Just inside the 18-yard box, the ball landed at Christine Sinclair's feet after a frenzy of Angel City box-to-box rebounds. Morgan Weaver deflected her cautious floater into the center of the box with a quick flip in midair. Her deflection was sufficient to send the ball beyond Isenhour's reach, and Providence Park went insane with the Thorns taking the 3-2 lead. Ultimately awarding Portland its first points in the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup.
[Photography by Jackie Shinstrom]
