For the second year in a row, the Portland Thorns will not advance to the semifinals of the NWSL Challenge Cup, eliminated in the group stage with a 2-1 loss on the road at Angel City FC on Saturday.
The Thorns (2-3-0, 6 points) have just one match to go in the group stage and are mathematically eliminated from catching up to fourth-place Kansas City, who are sitting on 10 points.
Angel City struck first on Saturday, scoring the opening goal in the eighth minute in the midst of a breakneck start to the match. Jasmyne Spencer curled a ball toward the center of the box, and Savannah McCaskill finished it off with a running header.
Both teams had their share of chances throughout a fast-paced first half.
In the 14th minute, Hannah Betfort turned one on-goal for the Thorns but it was saved easily. Four minutes later, McCaskill had another header with a chance to make it 2-0, but Bella Bixby was there to make the diving save for Portland.
Morgan Weaver sent a header toward goal in the 28th minute, a soft floater off the feed from Sam Coffey that forced a last-minute — but manageable — save underneath goal.
Momentum continued to build on the back of Weaver’s aggression on the attack. Her shot in the 34th minute went high, but it signaled the beginning of a strong run of play for the Thorns.
One minute later, Spencer had a shot for Angel City from a dangerous spot deep in the box, but it went high.
The Thorns evened things up at 1-1 in the 44th minute, as Betfort played a ball back to Weaver, who made one quick touch of the ball from left to right before rifling it into the back of the net.
Coming out of halftime — with Weaver and Kuikka headed to the bench for Portland in exchange for substitutes Izzy D’Aquila and Natalie Beckman — Angel City was quick to respond and retake the lead.
Emily Menges made a giveaway at the back, leading to a foul that set up a dangerous free kick for McCaskill. Angel City’s dynamic midfielder made the Thorns pay, securing a brace with a curling, set piece strike that made it 2-1.
Thorns defender Meghan Klingenberg turned her left ankle in the 50th minute, and spent several minutes being tended to by trainers before returning to the match.
Much to the likely relief of the Thorns, McCaskill subbed out for Angel City in the 56th minute.
Klingenberg made a crucial play for Portland in the 62nd minute, heading a shot by Paige Nielsen off the line to prevent a third goal for Angel City.
Olivia Moultrie gave Portland life in the 82nd minute, earning a penalty kick that she stepped up herself to take. But Angel City’s rookie goalkeeper Angelina Anderson read the kick the whole way, making the save to prevent the draw.
Moultrie had another chance moments later with a shot right at the near post, but Anderson won the battle again with a tremendous save in a small space. Angel City was able to hold off every effort from the Thorns down the stretch — despite 10 minutes of stoppage time — to secure the victory.
Next up: Portland’s final Challenge Cup match is on the road Aug. 6 at rival OL Reign. The match is scheduled for 3 p.m. with a live stream available on Paramount+.
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke
