The Portland Thorns spotted the U.S. Under-23 women’s youth national team an early goal Wednesday night at Providence Park.
It was a different story late in the match.
With a barrage of goals toward the end of the second half, the Thorns routed the U-23s 4-1 in the second match of Portland’s preseason tournament.
After Sarah Weber scored for the U-23s on a volley in the 13th minute, the Thorns headed to the break trailing 1-0.
It wasn’t until the 73rd minute that the Thorns answered, but they did so in a big way.
First, rookie Izzy D’Aquila headed in a cross from Crystal Dunn to even the score. Then, in the 84th minute, Sophia Smith scored on a right-footed shot after D’Aquila’s attempt was blocked.
Morgan Weaver tacked on a goal in the 90th minute on a curling shot to the top right corner. Then in stoppage time, U.S. goalkeeper Ryan Campbell made a diving save to stop a shot from Weaver, but Hina Sugita fired in a shot on the rebound.
Next up: The Thorns wrap up their preseason tournament against OL Reign at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Providence Park.
