Thorns' Home Unbeaten Streak Snaps In 2-0 Defeat To Current

The Thorns returned from an East Coast road trip to a Portland heatwave. As the blistering sun beamed down on the field on Saturday night, the home side was put to the test against the best team in the league.

Portland entered Providence Park on Saturday on a 10-game undefeated streak at home. The Thorns extended their home winning streak last time out with the highest-scoring match in Cascadia Rivalry history.

"My goodness, we are bloody good at home," Portland head coach Robert Gale said after the 4-2 victory over the Seattle Reign.

But a matchup with the Kansas City Current posed a different kind of challenge. Kansas City entered the match at the top of the NWSL standings with 40 points.

Within a minute of playing against the Current, the sun set on the Thorns' streak of success at home as they went on to fall 2-0.

1' Kansas City Current Goal (0-1)

By the first minute, disaster had already struck for the Thorns.

Current defender Izzy Rodriguez lofted a ball into the box as defender Ellie Wheeler made the run from beyond the 18-yard box.

Wheeler's header splashed into the top left corner of the net to make it 1-0, Kansas City.

"I think it kind of just happened so quickly, and we have been trying to work on those first 15 minutes," Thorns defender Jayden Perry said. "I know in the first half of this season, there were a lot of goals being scored on us in those 15 minutes. And so, it's unfortunate, but all we can do is kind of rally back together and try to get another one."

32' Deyna Castellanos Attempt (0-1)

The Thorns settled into the match after conceding the score, controlling possession. A trumpet played the tune of 'When The Saints Go Marching In' as Providence Park cheered on the home side, which sent a pair of shots toward Kansas City keeper Da Silva Leite Lorena in the first 30 minutes.

Portland forward Deyna Castellanos brought a spark to the Thorns in the final third. Just before the mandatory hydration break, Castellanos nearly equalized off a pass from Hina Sugita. The attempt went wide left, and the stoppage of play allowed the Thorns an opportunity to reset.

"She makes things happen in that final third," Gale said about what he's seen from Castellanos this season. "And with the attacking players that we have, we need that little bit of spark and creativity, because obviously we're missing some goal-scoring threats.

45' Temwa Chawinga Attempt (0-1)

The Current almost doubled their lead before halftime. 2024 NWSL Most Valuable Player Temwa Chawinga raced past the Thorns' backline to become face-to-face with goalie Mackenzie Arnold.

Luckily for Portland, Chawinga's shot bounced off the left goal post and tricked out of bounds.

The two sides went back and forth for five minutes of first-half stoppage time, but neither got another shot off before heading into the locker room.

64' Portland Thorns Pepper The Net (0-1)

The Thorns finally generated momentum following the hour mark.

Reyna Reyes sent a nice-looking right-footed shot toward the center of the box that Lorena saved. Several more attempts, including a shot by Mimi Alidou that Lorena swatted away.

Portland started the second half with 10 fewer shots than Kansas City, but quickly caught up in that stat. The 16,695 fans in attendance grew louder and louder as the Current keeper tallied four saves in the match and held the home team to a shutout.

'71 Kansas City Doubles Lead (0-2)

Portland entered the match on a four-match losing streak against Kansas City, dating back to 2023. The last time it won at home against the Current was the 2022 home opener.

Saturday night wouldn't be the end of that streak.

Chawinga sped past the Thorns' defense all the way from midfield. The Malawian forward encountered Arnold once again.

This time, the goal post didn't come to Portland's rescue. The strike rolled past Arnold and into the goal to move Chawinga into first place in the Golden Boot race.

"They're effective. You've got a front line, it's very, very good, and then you've got a back line that's just as good," Gale said. "They're spending enormous amounts of money, and they're physically very savvy ... The physicality of their game suits this league."

Full Time: 0-2

Olivia Moultrie sent a rocket from beyond 18 yards that was one of Portland's final chances to score. Her attempt ticked the top of the crossbar. Kansas City's Gabrielle Robinson picked up a red card in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time as tensions flared.

The Thorns ended the match scoreless in what was a rare home shutout.

Portland once again conceded within the first 15 minutes, which has been a recurring theme that both Gale and Perry spoke about postgame. The Thorns also took their time setting up their attack in the final third, but only ended up with four shots on frame.

The Seattle Reign now trails Portland by just a point in the NWSL standings, although the Thorns stay in fifth place for the time being.

A bright spot for Portland on Saturday was the Thorns' debut for French forward Julie Dufour, who the team acquired from Angel City FC earlier in the day.

"This is a historic club, and a very good club, and very good fans, too," Dufour said. "This is amazing here ... I'm so happy to be here."

The Thorns return to Providence Park with a match against the Utah Royals next Friday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m.