The Portland Thorns lost a heartbreaker 1-0 decision to the Chicago Red Stars at Providence Park. This was one of those games at an important juncture in the season that really exposes all the weaknesses of the Thorns. They had much of the possession but failed to turn that possession into clear-cut chances, and they were punished for their inability to do so. The pressure is now on with their NWSL playoff spot being less certain with each passing match.
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The Costly Mistake
In soccer, one rotten moment often flips an entire match on its head, and that's precisely what happened in minute 16 of the first half. Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was deliriously out of position on what felt like a routine play, leaving an open goal for Ally Schlegel to put Chicago Red Stars ahead. That one counted as a real gut punch for the Thorns, who were holding the game on an even keel, even if their offense wasn't creating much of anything.
This is not the first time individual mistakes cost the team a game. Head coach Rob Gale reflected after the game, "We had a great week of training. We came in with a positive vibe and, you know, one mistake. Sometimes, that's just soccer." Indeed, soccer can be that ironic-sometimes even when the Thorns were in possession, especially around the defensive zone, it was just one misplaced pass that gave Chicago an open chance to score.
What's worrying, however, is that these kind of mistakes are becoming a trend. The team has been error-prone with regard to their defense in former matches, including their defeat against Washington Spirit, and now they have gathered four losses in a row, something which puts alarm for the rest of the season.
Heroic Defense, Ineffective Attack
While Mackenzie Arnold slipped up on the Schlegel goal, she was also the one that kept the Thorns in the game during the second half. Early in the second half, Chicago was awarded a penalty when Reyna Reyes committed a foul in the box. Mallory Swanson, one of the key players for the Red Stars, came up to take it, but Arnold came up big and blocked the shot. A moment that gave the team and its fans hope, but alas, it was not enough.
While the Thorns' defense held strong after the goal, Portland Thorns' attack never showed up. The best chance was in the 74th minute with a cross by Sophia Smith that Morgan Weaver shot straight to Alyssa Naher's hands. And that was it. They did not create any real danger during the rest of the game.
This offensive blackout isn't anything new. During the last games, the team managed to barely create clear goalscoring situations. They dominated possession, but that is nothing if the ball doesn't arrive to the forwards in good positions for a shot on goal. That is exactly what Gale shared frustration for, now saying the opponent "parked the bus" and further helping in making matters even worse. But the reality is, the Thorns have to find a way to break down these parked defenses, especially in big moments like this.
Impact on the Standings
With the defeat, Portland Thorns remained in sixth place in the standings and are still in playoff position but with a shrinking cushion. Chicago, with this win, is now perilously close-one point back of the Thorns. And Bay FC, also in the playoff hunt, is only two points back. In short: the team can't afford any more slip-ups.
That recent dip in form is rather apparent: the Thorns, once considered to be one of the league's strongest teams, are struggling to hang onto a position that once seemed secure. If there is no adjustment in attitude and performance from their upcoming matches, there is an actual possibility that the team might miss out on the NWSL playoffs altogether.