With the eyes of the soccer world diverted to the greatness of Sophia Smith and Lionel Messi, Hannah Betfort and the Portland Thorns beat the San Diego Wave, 4-1, on Friday in the group stage of the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup.
With the win, the Thorns move into second in their group with six points through four matches. They remain behind the Kansas City Current on goal differential for the best second-place team in the three groups — which would earn the fourth and final spot in a cup semifinal. OL Reign leads the West group with 10 points.
Portland opened the scoring with a goal by Betfort in the 9th minute. She found it loose right in front of goal and put one home with ease to give the Thorns a 1-0 lead.
In the 54th minute, Betfort was wide open in the center of the box and tapped the ball to her right to an open Morgan Weaver, who finished it off to make it 2-0.
Betfort made it a brace (and third goal contribution on the day) in the 58th minute, scoring a header before screaming with elation at the Providence Park crowd.
The onslaught continued as the Thorns took a 4-0 lead in the 61st minute. Meghan Klingenberg slid one across to Reyna Reyes for the goal, and Portland refused to take its collective foot off the gas pedal.
Alyssa Walker, acquired by the Thorns on a short-term loan earlier this week, replaced Betfort in the 72nd minute. Betfort received well-earned, vociferous applause from the Thorns faithful.
Taylor Kornieck pulled one back for the Wave in the 81st minute on a header, bringing the match to its final margin of 4-1.
Next up: The Thorns head on the road to face Angel City FC in their fifth of six total Challenge Cup group stage matches. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT July 29 with a live stream available on Paramount+.
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke