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NWSL Results: Thorns come from behind to defeat Spirit

Photo: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

After a storm delay at Segra field on Wednesday night, a flurry of late goals was in the cards between the Spirit and the Thorns.

Washington Spirit 1, Portland Thorns 2

The Skinny: The Portland Thorns scored two late goals on Wednesday night to come from behind and snatch three points off of the Washington Spirit on the road. With the loss, the Spirit have now matched their club record winless streak of 15 matches (originally set in 2018). The defending NWSL Champions have not won since May 1st.

One Key Moment: Morgan Weaver’s cut inside and run to goal to win the match was sensational. But the amount of space given to Weaver by Spirit defenders – notably Sam Staab – on the play was unfortunate.

Inside the Game: After 75 minutes filled with quality chances for both sides, the Spirit finally got on the board with a goal that could not have been weirder. A high ball came in, and Thorns keeper Bella Bixby managed to punch it just far enough before it was headed and sent back towards goal. Moving backwards, Bixby was able to catch and hang onto the ball, but her momentum pulled her back into the goal and across the line – all with the ball still in her hands. The tally was credited as an own goal.

But just as things looked to be headed the Spirit’s way and towards a much, much needed three points, the visitors had other ideas. First, Kelli Hubly hit the crossbar with a shot, and Christine Sinclair managed to be the first to the rebound, knocking it in for the equalizer. Spirit defending was non-existent on the play.

Then Weaver’s goal completed the comeback for the visitors. In ten quick minutes, the defending champions’ chances of qualifying for the playoffs slipped away even further.

Washington now sit in 10th place with just 12 points, but they have played 16 matches, more than any team in the league.

The Goals:

  1. Washington Spirit — Bella Bixby (own goal), 76′
  2. Portland Thorns — Christine Sinclair, 84′
  3. Portland Thorns — Morgan Weaver (Hina Sugita), 90’+2′
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