The Portland Thorns could not start the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup on the right foot Wednesday, falling 1-0 on the road to the San Diego Wave in their first group stage match of the season-long tournament.
The Thorns — with a heavily rotated lineup for the midweek tournament tilt — started with an early shot by Hina Sugita in the second minute, saved easily by San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
In the eighth minute, Christine Sinclair attempted a through ball to Sophia Smith, who wasn’t able to catch up to it in time for a shot. Moments later, a curling shot from newest Thorn Adriana Leon was saved well by Canadian national teammate Sheridan.
In the 18th minute, San Diego got its first shot on the rocketed attempt by Sofia Jakobsson, but Thorns goalkeeper Shelby Hogan was on it.
Three near chances highlighted the remainder of the half for Portland: a ball cut back from Sinclair to Smith, whose shot sailed high; a dangerous cross from Sugita in to Sinclair and Leon, neither of whom could catch up to it; and a left-footed strike from Smith that was blocked.
San Diego regained its attacking momentum as the first half waned, whereas Portland’s quality of attacking runs was beginning to diminish heading into the break.
At halftime, Hannah Betfort replaced Smith for the Thorns.
Leon, meanwhile, remained aggressive on the wing early in the second half. She had a near post shot in the 53rd minute for Portland that just missed.
San Diego broke through in the 65th minute on a brutal play for Portland. 17-year-old Wave midfielder Jaedyn Shaw played a ball in that Thorns defender Meaghan Nally attempted to clear, but her clearance wasn’t strong enough and the ball went in the back of the net for the own goal. That made it 1-0 Wave, a lead they would hold for the remainder of the match.
Portland soon brought on three substitutes in the 68th minute: Olivia Moultrie for Sinclair, Morgan Weaver for Leon, and Emily Menges for Reyna Reyes. Izzy D’Aquila replaced Taylor Porter in the 75th minute.
The Wave countered by bringing on superstar forward Alex Morgan in the 79th minute, adding potential goal scoring punch to a team that was already up a goal.
Portland’s best opportunity to pull level came in the 82nd minute, a cross in from D’Aquila that met the head of Betfort but went wide. The Thorns also saw a shot in the 86th minute from Sugita, which forced a diving save by Sheridan.
The Thorns return to NWSL regular season play this weekend as they host Racing Louisville FC. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Providence Park with a live stream on Paramount+.
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke
