Thorns trounce Chicago Red Stars 5-0 in season opener
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Craig Mitchelldyer/Thorns FC
Portland Thorns FC dominated the Chicago Red Stars 5-0 in their regular-season opener. Meghan Klingenberg made her 100th career NWSL appearance and the Thorns celebrated by scoring early and often.
Sophia Smith got it started. She picked the ball off of a defender and curled the ball toward the back post. The ball was knocked into the Chicago net by the Red Stars’ Tierna Davidson, giving Portland a 1-0 lead inside five minutes.
Chicago replied with some pressure of their own, but the Thorns defended well and attacked with numbers. Klingenberg won a penalty kick in the 12th minute and Christine Sinclair stepped up and doubled the lead. Sinclair became the third player in NWSL history to reach 50 regular-season goals.
Portland Thorns 5, Chicago Red Stars 0 - Final: Video highlights, live updates recap
Updated May 16, 2021;
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UPDATE: The Thorns wrap up a dominant performance over the Red Stars in a 5-0 win to kick off the season.
The Portland Thorns look to capitalize on their momentum following a triumphant Challenge Cup title run when they kick off the NWSL regular season with a matchup against the Chicago Red Stars. This match kicks off this evening from Providence Park in downtown Portland
on Sunday, May 16, at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET with a live broadcast on Twitch.
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Final: The Thorns wrap up an incredible NWSL opener with a 5-0 win.