Despite a 26-5 advantage in shots, the Portland Thorns fell 1-0 to the Kansas City Current on Saturday at Providence Park.
A loss in their first regular season match without six World Cup participants drops the Thorns (7-3-4, 25 points) to second in the NWSL table behind the North Carolina Courage (8-4-2, 26 points).
On a pleasant July night in front of a feisty crowd celebrating this season’s Pride match, Morgan Weaver started the match out on the front foot, playing aggressive along the wing. Weaver had a shot on goal in the 10th minute which was saved.
On the other end five minutes later, Portland had issues defending in transition, beat on a ball over the top before a shot by Jenna Winebrenner hit the post.
Weaver found herself in the box again in the 18th minute, firing a shot that was blocked.
Portland conceded a penalty in the 35th minute as Meghan Klingenberg clipped Alexa Spaanstra as she entered the box. Michelle Cooper converted the penalty kick for Kansas City in the 36th minute, making it 1-0 Current.
Both Olivia Moultrie and Sam Coffey had shots on goal in the final moments of the half, and Weaver attempted to draw a penalty but didn’t get the call. The Thorns went into the break down a goal despite a 12-4 shots advantage.
At the half, Portland brought on Reyna Reyes for Michele Vasconcelos, placing the versatile rookie fullback in the winger spot once again.
Reyes flicked a header at goal in the 50th minute on the feed by Moultrie, but it was saved.
Rookie striker Izzy D’Aquila got involved with shots in the 61st, 63rd and 68th minutes. The first bounced off the keeper’s hands, and the second went off the far post after a strong run. The third took a deflection and was saved easily.
A header by D’Aquila in the 81st minute forced a save. And the Thorns kept pushing, dominant in possession but unable to find their decisive moment to tie it. It was their first home loss of the regular season.
Next up: The Thorns head on the road to face Gotham FC. The match kicks off at 2:30 p.m. PT on July 9 with a live stream on Paramount+.
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke