Washington Spirit Vs Portland Thorns: 3 things we learned
By Drew Hubbard
The Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns played out a 1-1 draw in their third game of the NWSL Challenge Cup on Sunday. Here are three things we learned.
On Sunday, the Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns ended their third match of the NWSL Challenge Cup in a 1-1 draw. The Spirit came into the match trying to bounce back after losing to the North Carolina Courage while the Thorns are still looking for their first win in the competition.
The match got off to a quick start with the Spirit forcing Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby to make early saves to keep up her outstanding tournament. Bixby did just that and held the Spirit scoreless through the first half.
Portland got on the scoresheet first when Lindsey Horan fired home a wide-open header on a set-piece in the 69th minute. Washington, though, fought back and leveled things from a corner kick. Dorian Bailey sent in a near-post ball to Ashley Sanchez. The rookie flicked it perfectly to defender Sam Staab, who looped home a header at the far post to rescue a point for the Spirit.
The Spirit now sit in fourth place while Portland is right behind them in fifth. Here are three things we learned.
3. Bixby makes case past Challenge Cup
Portland Thorns’ goalkeeper Bella Bixby’s performance in the Challenge Cup has come as a welcome surprise to the Rose City. Bixby wasn’t even expected to appear much — maybe at all — until USWNT keeper Adrianna Franch was ruled out due to a right knee injury.
Portland’s defense was already under some concern after losing center-back Emily Sonnett and right-back Ellie Carpenter in the offseason. The club did pick up USWNT veteran Becky Sauerbrunn, but it takes time to develop relationships in a backline, something teams don’t have in a month-long tournament. Add a new keeper into the mix, and it’s a recipe for a disaster.
But Bixby has been one of the most consistent presences for the Thorns so far. She made three saves against the Spirit, one of them an excellent block to deny Ashley Hatch. Bixby is only 24 years old and is making her case that she deserves a starting spot, whether it be in the NWSL or somewhere else.