The Portland Thorns became the first team to clinch a spot in the playoffs after a comfortable 3-0 win over Racing Louisville at Providence Park on Wednesday.
The first half was scoreless, with the locals accounting for most of the goal opportunities. Louisville, however, had probably the clearest chance when a free kick executed by Emina Ekic hit the crossbar. Ekic scare aside, Portland ran the show, and the match went to the halftime surprisingly nil-nil.
Racing Louisville, was forced to sub out Nadia Nadim in minute 26, due to an injury. The former Thorns player is one of Racing’s top assets, and Louisville surely missed her quality on the pitch.
The second half had similar notes, but the Portland Thorns tweaked their aim. Out of the dressing room, two minutes in to the restart of the match, Sophia Smith‘s left-footed shot from left side of the six-yard box, gave Portland a deserved advantage. Not even two minutes after in 48th minute, Natalia Kuikka would find Sam Coffey open in the center of the box. Coffey’s strike doubled the Portland Thorns advantage.
Olivia Moultrie, the youngster that took the league to court for an opportunity to play at the Thorns, was a starter in Wednesday’s match. The playmaker, had moments of brilliance that will certainly help building her confidence in the top flight women’s league. Her highest point was at minute 56, when Moultrie picked up a header sent to the middle by Rocky Rodriguez. Moultrie controlled the ball about the penalty spot marked by two players, skillfully protected the ball, and created the space to lash a placed right footed shot to the left corner, where Louisville keeper Katie Lund had no chance to ever reach.
Moultrie’s night was cut short, as coach Rhian Wilkinson subbed her for the legendary Christine Sinclair right after the goal. The rounds of rotations with the playoffs in mind, took away from the Thorns and the game intensity, the home side kept dictating the play. Christine Sinclair had several chances to increase the count and Louisville had no response left after the third goal.
Two completely opposing tales in the aftermath of the match, Portland sits at the top spot of the table with 35 points, just one point ahead of San Diego Wave and will be hosting Chicago Red Stars this Sunday afternoon. Racing Louisville, next to last, with 17 points, and one of the worst goal average this 2022 season, was already eliminated from playoff contention, but has still to travel to Bank of California Stadium in Los Angeles to play Angel City FC.
Angel City FC still has plenty of chances to qualify for the playoffs, and is sitting just a point below the last spot of the playoffs (29 points) held by Chicago Red Stars (30 points). The Angels will definitely have an eye on Providence Park this coming Sunday while they play for their lives against a Louisville side that is already thinking about the 2023 season.
(Photos by Diego G Diaz)
Portland Thorns
Racing Louisville
