Thorns' Playoff Aspirations Remain Intact With Last-Minute Goal

The clash between the Portland Thorns and Racing Louisville has provided lots of drama and plenty of goals in the 2025 season.

With both sides desperate to claw their way to the playoffs and identitical in points entering the game, Friday wasn't short on theatrics. Thorns midfielder Jessie Fleming's timely strike created an own goal mistake in the waning moments of regulation to create the 2-1 result.

Portland has dealt with recent struggles since returning from the break. The Pacific Northwest franchise lost back-to-back matches entering Friday's matchup against Louisville. In their previous outing, the Thorns allowed a Utah Royals squad that hadn't scored since Aug. 3 to find the back of the net on two occasions.

The Thorns' previous match was their second straight loss at home. They saw coach Rob Gale pick up a yellow card, which suspended him for the match against Racing. Assistant coach Adam Day served as the manager for Friday's outing.

Portland came into the game with the historical advantage over Louisville. However, it was 0-2-2 since Sept. 2023. The two sides faced off in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Providence Park earlier this season.

20' A Flurry Of Opportunities For Louisville (0-0)

The home side began the match knocking on the door. A Thorns turnover at midfield sparked six Racing opportunities on frame in the span of two minutes.

Off a corner, Ary Borges nearly stuffed the net with a shot from point-blank range, but it shockingly stayed in play.

22' Racing Goes Up (0-1)

Finally Racing found their way into the scoring column.

Conceding early goals has been the Thorns' Achilles heel this season. After some great looks and controlling possession in its attacking half, Louisville eventually broke through.

It was forward Katie O'Kane who smashed an attempt into the goal with keeper Mackenzie Arnold on the ground.

31' Portland's Newest Gem Scores In Second Consecutive Game (1-1)

Things appeared bleak for the Thorns once again, but it took less than 10 minutes for the visiting side to equalize.

Reilyn Turner sent a shot that goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer punched away. Midfielder Julie Dufour was there to follow it up with a header to knot up the scoreline.

"I'm feeling very good. I think we have a very good team and a very good club," Dufour said. "I'm so very, very happy, because this is not easy for me."

Portland found its right winger in Dufour. She found the back of the net against the Royals a week ago in just her second match with the squad. Friday was her first start for the Thorns.

48' Thorns Get To The Spot (1-1)

Racing started the second half with a dangerous opportunity to regain the advantage.

After Arnold made a big save, Portland went the other way and drew contact inside the box. Captain Sam Coffey went to the spot to take the penalty, but it was easily read by Bloomer.

"There was no shoulders down. It was a brilliant response that, if anything, we're going to roll our sleeves out a little bit more and more determined to win the game," Day said. "So you know everything happens for a reason and maybe that action was what spurred us on in the end to go and get the win."

The Thorns are now six for eight on penalties this season, while Bloomer has stopped three of four penalties this season. A massive opportunity for Portland to go up went to waste.

76' Loisville Almost Strikes Again (1-1)

The match calmed down for the next 25 minutes. Finally, Louisville returned to the final third. Emma Sears curled the ball toward the far post. It appeared it was going to sneak in for the second goal of the match. Again, Racing was unlucky with the ball bouncing off the post. Louisville had an opportunity to score with a follow-up attempt but was unable to do so.

The match continued to become increasingly physical. Several minutes later, the Louisville pleaded for a penalty, but the referees elected not to review the play where Reilyn Turner dispossessed Janine Sonis with a sliding tackle.

90' Thorns Score In The Clutch (2-1)

Clutch play by Fleming gifted the Thorns their first advantage in weeks in the 90th minute.

Many questioned Gale’s decision to bring the Canadian international Fleming off the bench last week. Against Racing, she ended up making the play that could spark some confidence for Portland down the final stretch of the season.

A hard hit attempt from the left side ricocheted off Bloomer and bounced off a defender, resulting in an own goal.

Full Time: 2-1

Portland and Louisville were tied in points before the match, although the Thorns led in goal differential. With the NWSL regular season winding down, this was a high-stakes match for both teams to make the playoffs. The visiting side was in sixth prior to the contest, while Racing was in seventh. The top eight teams make the postseason.

The Thorns now move up to fourth in the league standings for the time being. They trail the Washington Spirit for second in the NWSL by just three points with seven regular-season games remaining.

"Honestly, the main focus was putting (the previous two losses) behind us and just being the team that we know we could be before those last two games," Arnold said. "So just trying to take the pressure off ... Obviously it's very, very important to get these three points."

Portland's backline, for the most part, did a decent job of preventing Louisville from getting in front of them inside the 18-yard box. One different call on the Turner tackle at the end of the match, however, could've completely changed the outcome of the game for the Thorns.

The visiting side still did a good job of making the most of their opportunities and staying level-headed until the final whistle.

With the way Portland was able to pick up a much-needed victory on the road at a site it hadn't won at in three years, it could be the confidence the squad needs to make a final push toward the postseason.

"We knew we had to come out here and put a performance on, and it obviously wasn't pretty at times, but you have to fight to the end like that, get the last goal with Jessie," Arnold said. "I think it meant a lot to our whole team, especially, like I said, coming off the disappointment last week."

The Thorns stay on the road next weekend with a match against the Chicago Stars set for Sunday, Sept. 14, at 12 p.m. PT.