Thorns take over NWSL lead
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Sep 18, 2023
Portland, which got first-half goals from Hina Sugita and Morgan Weaver, moved ahead of San Diego, which fell at home to the Kansas City Current, 2-1.
The match drew 25,218 fans at Providence Park, the Thorns' first sellout crowd since the 2019 season and the eighth in their history.
The crowd gave OL Reign star Megan Rapinoe a standing ovation when she left the game. Rapinoe, who has played for the OL Reign since the NWSL launched in 2013, played her college ball at the University of Portland. She is retiring at the end of the 2023 season.
When Rapinoe was subbed out in the Reigns’ 2-0 loss to the Thorns, she received a standing ovation from Providence Park.
“I have to go quick, or I’m going to start crying,” Rapinoe said after the game, in reference to the ovation. “I’ve been trying to impress people in Portland since I was 18."
The Thorns' next two games will be against the second-place Wave and third-place Gotham FC.
Saturday, September 16
Gotham FC 2 Washington 0. (Goals: Gonzalez 65, 70. Att.: 6,202.)
Portland 2 OL Reign 0. (Goals: Sugita 30, Weaver, 36. Att.: 25,218.)
San Diego 1 KC Current 2. (Goals: Enge 50; Debinha 3, Hamilton 22. Att.: 15,832.)
Sunday, September 17
Chicago 2 Angel City 2. (Goals: Cook 68, Matthews 75; Riley 39, Endo 68. Att.: 8,961.)
Orlando 2 NC Courage 1. (Goals: Watt 1, Adrianna 32; Manaka 53. Att.: 5,907.)
Standings:
• Top 6: 1. Portland 32 points; 2. San Diego 30; 3. Gotham FC 30; 4. NC Courage 28; 5. OL Reign 27; 6. Washington 26.
• Bottom 6: 7. Orlando 25; 8. Angel City FC 25; 9. Racing Louisville 24; 10. Houston 23; 11. KC Current 22; 12. Chicago 21.
