The last time the Portland Thorns met Angel City FC, the end result was a clean 3-0 win on June 3 at the Thorns’ home turf.
There’s only a few ways this matchup could have been more different, including the end result. A last-minute strike from Yazmeen Ryan kept the Thorns from a loss in a 1-1 draw with Angel City FC on Friday night.
The Thorns’ availability report spelled trouble before the match even began. Six Thorns are absent from the team for duties in international play, including leading scorers Sophia Smith and Christine Sinclair. On top of that, Portland’s top two goalkeepers, Bella Bixby and Abby Smith, were out due to COVID-19 protocols.
Making the start in goal was Shelby Hogan, backed up by a last-minute signing in Britt Eckerstrom. Angel City, on the other hand, was missing only two players on international duty, Vanessa Gilles and Allyson Swaby.
As if there wasn’t enough pressure already, the Thorns faced a deficit as early as the 2nd minute. Angel City’s Savannah McCaskill initially missed on a penalty kick attempt, but capitalized on the rebound to sneak past Hogan for the goal.
Angel City FC kept the pressure on afterward, with physical play on defense forcing errant shots from the Thorns. On the other end, Hogan kept piling up saves from on-target Angel City attempts.
Things looked grim for the Thorns throughout the second half, with the Angel City defense stifling most attempts. Then, in stoppage time, Ryan swept into the box with a header that whizzed just past the right hand of Angel City goalkeeper Dijana Haračić to seal a draw. It was her first career NWSL goal.
The Thorns (4-1-5, 17 points) stand firm at No. 2 in the NWSL standings.
