The budding connection between Simone Charley and Sophia Smith
Share this story
Thorns FC/Craig Mitchelldyer
In the two competitions of the 2020 NWSL season, Simone Charley and Sophia Smith were only on the pitch together for 13 minutes. Smith missed out entirely on the NWSL Challenge Cup, and during the Fall Series the two forwards only played one match together, a 4-1 win over OL Reign last September where they shared the pitch from the 53rd to the 66th minute.
Smith missed the first two matches of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup because she was in camp with the U.S. Women’s National Team, but she and Charley were finally able to start together against OL Reign on Wednesday. Coach Mark Parsons had all of his attacking players at his disposal and selected Charley and Smith in the Cascadia rivalry match with a berth to the Challenge Cup Final on the line for the Thorns.
Portland defeats OL Reign 2-0, clinches spot in Challenge Cup title match
Share this story
Thorns FC/Craig Mitchelldyer
The Portland Thorns won the West group of the NWSL Challenge Cup and advanced to the title game after defeating OL Reign 2-0.
Portland started their match against Cascadia rivals OL Reign quickly. The Thorns pressed the Reign high up the pitch and forced them into turnovers in their own half. But the first chance of the game fell to the Reign. Bethany Balcer got her head to a lofted cross but Adrianna Franch caught it cleanly.
Two minutes later Meghan Klingenberg found Simone Charley in the box and her shot was saved. Portland started to dictate the tempo and pinned the Reign in their own half.
Sinclair returns as Thorns reach Challenge Cup final
The Portland Thorns, with Canada captain Christine Sinclair restored to health, have made it to the NSWL s pre-season Challenge Cup final.
The Canadian Press Christine Sinclair , The Canadian Press
PORTLAND The Portland Thorns, with Canada captain Christine Sinclair restored to health, have made it to the NSWL s pre-season Challenge Cup final.
Wearing the captain s armband, Sinclair started in Portland s 2-0 win over OL Reign on Wednesday night at Providence Park. Sinclair played 69 minutes before being substituted.
The 37-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., limped off the field in the first half of Canada s 3-0 friendly win over Wales on April 9 in Cardiff. Sinclair did not dress for Canada s 2-0 win over England four days later in Stoke-on-Trent.
Megan Rapinoe and Jessica Fishlock (Wales) were available as substitutes for the Reign, while Becky Sauerbrunn, Lindsey Horan, Christine Sinclair (Canada), Crystal Dunn and Sophia Smith were all in the Thorns’ starting lineup.
Horan put the Thorns on top early with a goal on a free kick in the 16th minute. Charley added the second moments into the second half.
Rapinoe had a good chance in the 80th minute but Thorns goalkeeper Adrianna Franch reached out to stop it.
The game marked the Portland debut of Dunn, who joined the Thorns in the offseason.
Earlier Wednesday, the Chicago Red Stars played to a 1-1 draw with Kansas City. Sydney Leroux scored in the Orlando Pride’s 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit.
Portland Thorns down OL Reign to secure spot in Challenge Cup final tsn.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tsn.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.