Sky Blue FC (0-15-5, 5 points) returned to National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) action on Wednesday, falling to Portland Thorns FC (10-6-6, 36 points) at Providence Park, 2-1.
Portland took an early lead in this match-up after being given a penalty kick opportunity in the 13th minute as a result of a tackle just inside the box. Taking the try was Christine Sinclair, who was able to convert and give the Thorns a 1-0 advantage.
In the 21st minute, Sky Blue FC nearly leveled the terms on a sequence where Christina Gibbons was played into space on the right flank. Gibbons then crossed a ball into the penalty area that found the head of Savannah McCaskill on the far post. McCaskill redirected the feed on target, but Thorns netminder Adriana Franch was positioned to make the stop.
Portland eventually extended its lead to 2-0 in the 54th minute on a free kick that was taken by Tobin Heath. The Thorns midfielder booted a left-footed strike on the chance, and her try managed to sneak inside the far post to give her club a two-goal advantage.
Sky Blue FC then looked to have pulled within a single tally in the 75th minute on a series where McCaskill sent a corner kick across the mouth of the goal. The recipient of her feed was Madison Tiernan, who struck a powerful header that rocketed off the crossbar.
In the 85th minute, Sky Blue FC officially made it a one-tally contest. Domi Richardson got the sequence started on a cross that she lofted towards Imani Dorsey on the far side of the penalty area. The ball was then deflected before falling in the area of Sarah Killion, who one-timed a left-footed strike that beat Franch to hang a 2-1 count.
Over the final minutes, Sky Blue FC remained in heavy pursuit of the equalizer, but the 2-1 tally remained when the final whistle was blown to make this match official.
Sky Blue FC will continue its four-game road stretch this weekend in Houston before returning home to Yurcak Field for its 2018 season finale on Saturday, September 8, hosting the Orlando Pride for a noon kickoff. Tickets for that game are available now online or by calling 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849). The first 1,500 fans through the gates will receive a Carli Lloyd bobblehead, courtesy of Brielle Orthopedics.
For all of the latest news on Sky Blue FC, follow us on social media: @SkyBlueFC
NWSL Match Report
Match: Sky Blue FC vs. Portland Thorns FC
Date: August 22, 2018
Venue: Providence Park; Portland, Oregon
Attendance: 17,986
Weather: 89 degrees, partly cloudy
Scoring Summary:
NJ: 0 | 1 – 1
POR: 1 | 1 – 2
13 POR Christine Sinclair (Penalty Kick)
54 POR Tobin Heath
85 NJ Sarah Killion
Lineups:
NJ: Sheridan, Tiernan, Frisbie, Richardson, Skroski (Dorsey-63), McCaskill (Groom-78), Killion, Rodriguez, Gibbons, Johnson (Hoy-84), Lloyd
Subs not used: Casey, Pierre-Louis, Freeman, Meehan
Head Coach: Denise Reddy
POR: Franch, Klingenberg, Menges, Sonnett, Carpenter, Horan, Boureille, Heath (Andressinha-79), Sinclair, Raso (Purce-75), Foord (Crnogorcevic-59)
Subs Not Used: Eckerstrom, Ball, Weber
Head Coach: Mark Parsons
Stats Summary: POR / NJ
Shots: 20 / 14
Saves: 4 / 7
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 11 / 19
Offside: 5 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
41 NJ Madison Tiernan (Yellow Card)
67 NJ Savannah McCaskill (Yellow Card)
75 NJ Katie Johnson (Yellow Card)
88 NJ Jen Hoy (Yellow Card)
Officials:
Referee: Mark Allatin
Assistant Referee 1: Adrienne McDonald
Assistant Referee 2: Sya Magee
Fourth Official: JJ Blodgett
Saker ShopRites Player of the Match: Sarah Killion
