The Portland Thorns were making crisp passes, playing on the front foot, and pressing hard. But all that technical quality could not muster a goal for nearly 90 minutes on Friday against the San Diego Wave.
Then, it was rookie Reyna Reyes who broke through, scoring on a header in the 90th minute to pull the Thorns (4-1-4, 16 points) even, 1-1, with the Wave (5-3-1, 16 points).
Portland was aggressive from the outset, smothering the Wave with a high press that led to a bevy of chances in the attacking third.
In the 2nd, 4th and 6th minutes, the Thorns saw a dangerous ball in from Crystal Dunn and a pair of attempts at goal from Sophia Smith — the latter of which was a long shot that clanged off the crossbar.
San Diego had its first real chance — one of few in the first half — in the 11th minute on a shot in close by Alex Morgan that was saved by Bella Bixby.
Sofia Jakobsson fired a shot at Bixby in the 15th minute after a miscommunication at the back by the Thorns, but Bixby was able to make the save.
Smith picked up a yellow card for Portland in the 20th minute.
Portland threatened on the attack once again in the 25th minute, as a perfect ball ahead from Sam Coffey landed at the feet of Hina Sugita, whose shot was kick-saved away by San Diego keeper Kailen Sheridan.
Smith tried Sheridan at the near post in the 27th minute, but it was saved.
In the 40th minute, on one of seven corners in the first half for Portland, Christine Sinclair headed the ball central to the feet of Kelli Hubly, but Hubly wasn’t able to guide it on-frame as it sailed high.
Smith had Portland’s final chance of the half in the 42nd minute, a shot that went high as well. The Thorns outshot the Wave 12-4 in the first half and largely dominated possession, seeming an inch or two away from multiple goals.
Portland carried its technical excellence into the second half, rattling off another round of chances at goal.
Smith got free in the 47th minute but missed a shot wide, expressing visible frustration without a goal in now seven matches in a row. Sinclair had a shot sail high in the 48th minute.
In the 50th, San Diego went the other way with a tremendous pass the length of the field by Sheridan to Morgan, who was crowded by a trio of Thorns defenders to prevent a sure goal.
San Diego brought on a key substitute in the 54th minute, adding towering midfielder Taylor Kornieck to the mix. Portland, meanwhile, replaced Sinclair with Olivia Moultrie in the 65th minute.
The substitutions started paying off quickly for both squads: Kornieck added physicality in the midfield for San Diego, and Moultrie fired a shot at the near post in the 72nd minute for Portland.
Bixby made an outstanding save for Portland in the 74th minute, diving to her left to smack away a low heater off the foot of Morgan.
Portland replaced Sugita with Michele Vasconcelos in the 77th minute. A moment later, Kornieck picked up a yellow card for San Diego following an extended stretch of highly physical play.
San Diego scored in the 86th minute as Jakobsson caught Bixby off her line, getting behind her and scoring with finesse. The Wave led, 1-0.
Reyes saved the road point with a slow, skillful header to the far post off Coffey’s corner in the 90th minute, mobbed by teammates in celebration. Portland held on for a 1-1 draw to move back atop the NWSL standings.
Next up: Portland’s next match is at home against Angel City FC in the group stage of the NWSL Challenge Cup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Providence Park, with a live stream available on Paramount+.
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke
