Thorns thwart KC NWSL with shutout in Portland

Kansas City NWSL took on the Portland Thorns for the second time in their season Sunday afternoon and fell 2-0 despite a fairly strong effort.

Both of Portland's goals were scored in the first half. The Thorns knocked in their first goal in the 10th minute when Meghan Klingenberg crossed it into the box, and it took a deflection off of KC’s Kristen Edmonds for an own goal.

Portland scored again in the 43rd minute when Meghan Klingenberg once again crossed the ball in and it took two deflections off Sophia Smith then Marissa Everett, finally going in as a goal for Everett.

All three of KC NSWL’s players who were recently acquiredstarted the game. Katelyn Rowland in goal and Kristen Hamilton up top played the full 90 while Hailie Mace was only able to go 54 minutes. Hamilton, Mace and Darian Jenkins combined well and created a couple dangerous chances but could not break past Portland keeper Bella Bixby but did force a couple great saves.

"One thing with this team, I was extremely proud of every player today,” said Head Coach Huw Williams. “They did not give up and although the result didn’t turn out the way we want, they all played hard to the very end.”

KC will next take on Racing Louisville on August 8th at 2 pm.

Discipline

83’ POR - Moultrie (Yellow)

Scoring

10’ POR – Edmonds (Own Goal)

42’ POR - Everett (Smith)

Lineups:

Portland Thorns: Bixby, Klingenberg (75’ Pogarch), Hubly, Menges©, Kuikka (83’ Westphal), Boureille, Salem, Rodriguez, Everett (75’ Moultrie), Charley (83’ Nally), Smith (90+3’ Strom-Okimoto)

Substitutes Not Used: Hogan, Betfort, Porter

Kansas City: Rowland, Corsie©, Edmonds, Weber, Pickett, K., Vincent (72’ Listro), Pickett, V., McCain (72’ Larroquette), Hamilton, Mace (54’ LaBonta), Jenkins (60’ Vasconcelos)

Substitutes Not Used: Nelson, Del Fava, Johnson, Maemone, Nolf