Sky Blue FC Vs Portland Thorns: More pain for the Blues

Sky Blue FC continued their winless run to open the 2019 NWSL campaign last weekend with a 1-0 defeat to the Portland Thorns. Here is everything you need to know.

The opening half of the Portland Thorns’ weekend trip to Sky Blue FC was dominated by the visiting side despite several key players missing due to international duty. Portland started their attacking efforts early, taking the game to the Sky Blue defense, who struggled to play the ball out of the back continuously hoofing it aimlessly down the field.

In the closing moments of the opening half, the Blues created their first real opening of the match, such was the control exerted by Portland. They pushed the ball forward with Imani Dorsey leading the charge. The winger broke down the flank several times delivering crosses and layoffs to her teammates but the ball never found the back of the net.

The 58th minute saw Thorns wing-back Elizabeth Ball whip in a deep cross to Simone Charley but the forward headed the ball into the far post. The sequence reignited the Thorns who seemed to lose steam resuming the second half.

Midge Purce then finally opened up the scoring after a freekick from 40-yards was sent in after a foul. The ball found its way to the midfielder after a blocked shot, who neatly slotted the finish past Haracic. Purce’s goal followed the Thorns goal scoring trend this season. Prior to Saturday’s game, 11 of the Thorns’ 12 goals has come from inside the box, Purce now makes it 12 out of 13.

Much of the second half was back and forth between both sides as Portland tried to double their tally, the Blue’s seeking a draw. It was a very different pattern to the first meeting this season between both teams.

New signing Gina Lewandowski made her first appearance with the New Jersey side after just four training sessions. Nonetheless, the defender came up big for her team, who were missing Estelle Johnson. Lewandowski registered three tackles, five interceptions, eight interceptions, and 10 recoveries.

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The former Bayern Munich player showed plenty of poise and leadership along the backline. ‘I’m excited to be back. I want to get to know the team, the girls and the style of play,’ she said, on her return to the NWSL with Sky Blue FC.

Haracic came up big once again as she got low to get a hand on a shot to push it wide in the 89th minute. The keeper gave her team a fighting chance but without Carli Lloyd present it was hard to execute on opportunities.

Coach Denise Reddy was supporting of her backup keeper filling in for Kailen Sheridan, who is on duty with Canada. ‘She’s done really well <…> she is someone that you can rely on no matter what, she’s an excellent shot-stopper.’

With the win, Portland is now 3-0-2 in their last five meetings with the Blues and will now head home after a six-game road trip. Now 0-5-2, the Blues are still chasing their first win of the season, as they remain stagnant in eighth place.