We did it! Well, let’s be honest, they did it—and we watched! The Thorns kept the Seattle Reign off the board to end in a 0-0 draw Sunday afternoon at Providence Park. With grit, toughness, and resolve, the Portland Thorns remain the only unbeaten team in the league and are now ranked second overall! EXPLODING PARTY HORN EMOJIS
Were you doubtful that we could do it without Tobin Heath at midfield and Meghan Klingenberg in back? SHAME ON YOU!
Were you skeptical of Michelle Betos’ ability to defend goal after returning from her shoulder injury and after she stopped the game twice to wince in pain? HOW DARE YOU!
Did you not trust that Coach Parson and his staff could build a team with multiple layers that could execute different formations to showcase varying levels of experience and tenacity—even when key starters are off gallivanting with the US Women’s National Team? YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF!
Did you remember that Christine Sinclair is Canadian and for the first time in your life say in your head, “Thank God she’s Canadian?”ME TOO!!
HOW MANY IS SIX?
The Thorns were missing six starters on Sunday. Now six doesn’t seem like a big number when you're talking about M&M’s, or days since you’ve gone to the gym. But six can seem like a lot when referring to how many hot dogs you can eat in one sitting, or the number of toes you have on one foot. And six can seem excessive when you are talking six out of a starting 11.
But missing those players made room for some newer Thorns to work together, practice new leadership, and start to understand the diverse abilities of this team. Midfielder Celeste Boureille and defender McKenzie Berryhill made their professional debuts in the match.
Boureille (Pronounced Boo- ray) played at the University of California-Berkley and signed with the Thorns mid April of this year. Berryhill attended Arizona State and was selected with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2016 College Draft.
Midfielder Hayley Raso, a national player from Australia, earned her first career start with the Thorns on Sunday. Last year she played with the Washington Spirit BUT NOT ANYMORE! MOO-HOO-HAA-HAA!!!!
Most impressive and game-saving was the play and leadership of Portland Defender Emily Menges. She marked, followed, and on most occasions, SHUT DOWN Seattle’s top scorers (Sorry Jessica Fishlock and Kim Little, YOUR MAGIC DOES NOT WORK HERE). Mengus wore the captain’s band when Sinclair came out in the second half and her leadership, fused with Betos’ direction, made an incredible difference for the Thorns. Here is what Menges had to say about how responsibilities have changed, especially in regards to her leadership role:
“Last year, we played a different formation, so it was a bit odd, and with Kat [Thorns FC defender Kat Williamson] gone—we didn’t expect Kat to be gone—but even as just a center back or on the back line, I’m going to talk a ton because I can see everybody. So my role is more or less the same. I’m not the youngest person on the team anymore, and I’ve even been called a veteran [laughs]. But yeah, if I have to come into more of a leadership role, then I feel capable in my ability, but just as center backs and outside backs, my role has stayed pretty consistent.”
And how good was it to see Michelle Betos on the pitch again? Though she was regarded as our “backup” goalie last year, she was named the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year and on Sunday she proved why again. Seattle took 11 shots, Betos made four saves and, as it turned out, her 100th save in her NWSL career.
11+4=100 MATH!
After the game, Betos said this of the team, “I feel great. I mean, I’m just so proud of the team. I know that we only got one point, but it feels like three, and I think things like this are going to get us to where we want to go, and ultimately win a championship. This is going to be a huge point down the road, and I’m really proud of the team.”
TURN OUT AND TURNT UP
Attendance for Sunday’s game at Providence park was 18,114. This was the fourth time a Thorns game has had 18k plus in the stadium and this is why players, whether they are Portland Thorns or a visiting team, love to play in the Rose City.
WHAT’S NEXT?
I am glad you asked. The Thorns are set to play in Chicago on June 12 at 3pm. The Chicago Red Stars are currently ranked first in the league with 14 points... that’s one point more than the Thorn’s 13 points. MATH AGAIN!
You can watch the six that were missing from our game, as well as the rest of the US Women’s National Team, on June 2 in a friendly match against Japan in Colorado (6pm Fox Sports 1). This will be the first time US and Japan play since the final World Cup match in Vancouver, BC on June 5, 2015.