The USSF continues to disrespect its own league by scheduling meaningless friendlies not just outside of FIFA windows, but at the same time as NWSL games. Luckily for Portland, the two Thorns starting for the USWNT managed to score early, allowing them to focus their full attentions on the match at home versus Sky Blue.
Even without Heath and Horan, the Thorns displayed how much of a threat they were early on when a cross from Klingenberg barely missed the goal in the second minute. Sky Blue would get their own in the 5th from a powerful shot from outside the box, which would likewise find itself wide.
In the 8th minute, a defensive mistake would allow Purce to slip behind the backline and around the goalkeeper; the shot pinging off the wrong side of the crossbar. Sky Blue tightened up considerably after the first ten minutes.
A fairly toothless attempt in the 17th minute would easily be saved by Sheridan. The game was fairly even- nobody really getting a truly decent shot off, or, when they did, the keeper not having to be called into action for it.
In the 30th minute, Purce had a fair shout for a penalty when she was shoved to the ground with two hands. Less than a minute, it happened again. Still no call. The boos rang out, and the centre referee left his spot to tell Parsons to stay in his area.
Members of the Thorns argue over the no penalty call as Portland forward Midge Purce is attended to (photo by Dante’y Buitureida).
This didn’t deter Purce, who had a tricky little moment where she was facing a keeper and two defenders which, luckily for Sheridan, bounced off the top of the net.
The referee obviously felt bad about his previous mistake, as when Raso was shouldered off the ball, a feather soft penalty was then called, which Sinclair easily slotted home.
Despite his conversation with Parsons and the confusion, there was only one added minute of injury time at the end of the half.
In the 58th minute, Raso managed to strip Sky Blue of the ball and make it the length of the field, before passing it to her fellow Australian, Foord. Her shot would end up being wide, but not by much.
Lussi was subbed in in the 64th minute; within a minute she had split the backline, but placed her attempt in such a manner that it rolled, harmlessly, past the goal.
Gina Lewandowski managed to head one directly off the far post; it had pulled Eckerstrom too far right to save any rebound. Luckily, her defence would clean it up, but not for long. In the 69th minute, Dorsey would equalize with one in the bottom left corner.
In the 77th minute, the chant of “Equal Pay” once again rang out around Providence Park; perhaps a new tradition.
In the 85th minute, Purce was yet again fouled in the box; a late, dangerous, sliding tackle which was easily a penalty. Once again, it was neither called, nor acknowledged.
Amandine Pierre-Louis, who had only subbed in some twenty some minutes before would be sent off on her second yellow in injury time after another challenge which was, whilst definitely a foul, softer than some of her previous actions.
After the tumultuous 5-0 of last week’s home match, I imagine a first time attendee might feel quite disappointed, especially given the questionable quality of the officiating.
However, as the Captain, Christine Sinclair stated, the Thorns were simply not good enough. A better officiated game would have likely seen them escape with their defensive errors and lack of finishing unquestioned, but that doesn’t mean they would accept it.
Sky Blue FC come back to tie Portland Thorns at home 1-1 (photo by Jeff Wong).
Portland Thorns
