While rainy conditions and the stoic crowd atmosphere at Providence Park seemed to create the unlikeliest of comeback venues for Jim Gabarra’s eighth place Sky Blue, the New Jersey side proved to be an Achilles heel for the Portland Thorns once again on Wednesday night, in the teams’ third and final meeting of the season.
Sky Blue recorded their third win of the season with a cheeky, eighth-minute chip from midfielder Katy Freels and 65th-minute winner from Lindsi Cutshall. Goalkeeper Brittany Cameron was to credit for the retention of the tight lead, forcing Portland’s attack to reassess their offensive approach several times with her crucial saves, and audacious goal-tending. The result propels Sky Blue into seventh place, with a positive outlook on their weekend visit to league-leaders Seattle Reign, while the divide between the Portland Thorns and third-place Chicago Red Stars grows, as the reigning NWSL champions remain stagnant in fourth place.
A closer look at the highlights of the match:
Sky Blue recorded their third win of the season with a cheeky, eighth-minute chip from midfielder Katy Freels and 65th-minute winner from Lindsi Cutshall. Goalkeeper Brittany Cameron was to credit for the retention of the tight lead, forcing Portland’s attack to reassess their offensive approach several times with her crucial saves, and audacious goal-tending. The result propels Sky Blue into seventh place, with a positive outlook on their weekend visit to league-leaders Seattle Reign, while the divide between the Portland Thorns and third-place Chicago Red Stars grows, as the reigning NWSL champions remain stagnant in fourth place.
A closer look at the highlights of the match:
FOUR TALKING POINTS OF SKY BLUE'S WIN OVER THORNS
Gabarra 1 : Riley 0 – Brittany Cameron’s High Line Saves The Day
While Paul Riley’s tactical alterations and introductions of Angie Kerr (56'), Stephanie Cately (56’), and Jessica McDonald (69') revamped the dynamics of the Thorns' midfield in the second half and caused problems for Sky Blue's rigid defense, it was a matter of "too little, too late" for Portland, who still struggled to recover from their 65th minute conception. In contrast, Jim Gabarra’s night began and ended well, from his emphasis on defensive tactics and midfield stability, to his rewarding decision to hand Brittany Cameron her fifth start of the regular season over birthday girl, Jill Loyden.
Cameron held a consistently high line throughout the match, filling a sweeper-type role in Sky Blue's defensive third, and prevented Alex Morgan from capitalizing on the exceptional service she was receiving from Vero Boquete and Christine Sinclair, making for a frustrating third week back from injury for the reigning NWSL Player of the Week. Cameron’s bold pursuit of the ball in positions far beyond the 18-yard-box stifled Morgan's attempts to latch onto service from her teammates and limited her ability to catch the Sky Blue back line off-guard with infamous dribbling capacity in tight and dangerous areas. Although a transformation of Portland's game plan during halftime forced Cameron to bring in the reigns on her bold goalkeeping style, she remained present and active at the top of the box for a number of saves throughout the second half as well, and her relentlessness was the pinnacle of Sky Blue’s treasured victory.
Verónica Boquete, The Magician
Though her team wasn't able to reap any points to show for it, Boquete was once again an outstanding facet in Portland’s midfield on Wednesday night. In only her fourth appearance for the Thorns, the captain of the Spanish national team put her technical abilities on display for the 10,477 Rose City faithful who endured downpours at Providence Park throughout the match. Creating a wealth of combinations and passing sequences that caused some shakiness in Sky Blue’s defense, her addition was noticeable as early as the 10th minute, after playing a lofty freekick into the box with disguise on it, inviting a moment of hesitation from Cameron, and only narrowly evading a far post run from Allie Long.
Having debuted for the Thorns only earlier this month in their June 7th match against Western New York Flash, “Vero” as she sports on the back of her jersey, has gotten acclimated to the NWSL quickly, scoring her maiden goal two matches ago and captivating supporters with her eye for critical passes. Since her April 7th acquisition, after her former club, UEFA Women’s Champions League runner-ups and historic powerhouse Tyresö FF, announced the discontinuation of their domestic season in the Swedish Damallsvenskan and the subsequent release of their players, she became the first Portland Thorns player of the season to be named an NWSL Player of the Week (Week 10). On Wednesday night, Boquete was again the catalyst, as she recorded her second assist in consecutive matches, and created a bounty of goal-scoring opportunities that shined through Portland’s defeat.
Portland’s Downfall – Midfield Approach
In Christine Sinclair, Alex Morgan, and Vero Boquete, Portland may boast one of the most prestigious attacking tandems in the league, but cohesion came and went in waves for the Thorns’ offensive contingent against a persistent defensive effort from Sky Blue. Sarah Huffman played an unsung role in crafting threatening attempts during the first half by adding depth and width to the Thorns' left flank and sending targeted crosses into the box. While Huffman’s precision and effort from wide areas yielded opportunities for Sinclair to penetrate the final third, Sky Blue’s defense continued to limit their chances.
Portland's passing-based midfield approach gave them a significant upper-hand in possession and chances early on in the game, until Sky Blue midfielder Katie Freels claimed the scoreboard for the visitors in the eighth minute, with her fifth goal of the season, after forcing a mistake from Allie Long in a defensive midfield position. Freels' long-range shot looped over goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who returned to the Thorns' starting eleven this week after serving a red card suspension and international duty, catching the German captain off of her line.
Along with Kelley O'Hara, who has looked pacy and instinctive as she re-adapts to her natural role as a striker, Freels continued to force mistakes from the Thorns' midfield that gave way to several opportunities for the visitors. Sky Blue's front line tested the Portland defense with a few efforts, favoring long-range attempts early on in the first half, and working in on goal as the match progressed.
While Thorns assembled a clinical buildup play in the 54th minute when Huffman's clever throw-in caught Sky Blue's back four out of position and allowed Boquete and goalscorer Sinclair to capitalize on the chance, the home side was unable to ride the momentum of their equalizer to produce a winner, and only 12 minutes later, Lindsi Cutshall scored the go-ahead and eventual winner for the visitors off of a well-flighted ball from captain Christie Rampone.
Stoppage Time Madness
After a second half that included several bookings, set pieces, and a careful medical assessment of the notoriously-fierce Christine Sinclair in the 79th minute following a heavy collision with Sky Blue's Camille Levin, a lengthy addition of stoppage time from the fourth official was not only expected, but accepted by the trailing Thorns with open arms. After Maya Hayes forced an inventive and instinctive kick save from Nadine Angerer shortly after the minimum of five additional minutes was revealed by the fourth official, the Thorns’ maintained active possession in their final third for the majority of the dying moments of the game, and vied urgently for a last-minute goal.
Despite strengthening their attack with striker Jessica McDonald, the league’s third-leading scorer, late in the second half, the home side failed to convert a late equalizer after bombarding Sky Blue’s defense with a variety of attempts in injury time, with notable close-range shots from Morgan and the newly-returned Rachel van Hollebeke, and a number of critical final saves from Brittany Cameron.
While Paul Riley’s tactical alterations and introductions of Angie Kerr (56'), Stephanie Cately (56’), and Jessica McDonald (69') revamped the dynamics of the Thorns' midfield in the second half and caused problems for Sky Blue's rigid defense, it was a matter of "too little, too late" for Portland, who still struggled to recover from their 65th minute conception. In contrast, Jim Gabarra’s night began and ended well, from his emphasis on defensive tactics and midfield stability, to his rewarding decision to hand Brittany Cameron her fifth start of the regular season over birthday girl, Jill Loyden.
Cameron held a consistently high line throughout the match, filling a sweeper-type role in Sky Blue's defensive third, and prevented Alex Morgan from capitalizing on the exceptional service she was receiving from Vero Boquete and Christine Sinclair, making for a frustrating third week back from injury for the reigning NWSL Player of the Week. Cameron’s bold pursuit of the ball in positions far beyond the 18-yard-box stifled Morgan's attempts to latch onto service from her teammates and limited her ability to catch the Sky Blue back line off-guard with infamous dribbling capacity in tight and dangerous areas. Although a transformation of Portland's game plan during halftime forced Cameron to bring in the reigns on her bold goalkeeping style, she remained present and active at the top of the box for a number of saves throughout the second half as well, and her relentlessness was the pinnacle of Sky Blue’s treasured victory.
Verónica Boquete, The Magician
Though her team wasn't able to reap any points to show for it, Boquete was once again an outstanding facet in Portland’s midfield on Wednesday night. In only her fourth appearance for the Thorns, the captain of the Spanish national team put her technical abilities on display for the 10,477 Rose City faithful who endured downpours at Providence Park throughout the match. Creating a wealth of combinations and passing sequences that caused some shakiness in Sky Blue’s defense, her addition was noticeable as early as the 10th minute, after playing a lofty freekick into the box with disguise on it, inviting a moment of hesitation from Cameron, and only narrowly evading a far post run from Allie Long.
Having debuted for the Thorns only earlier this month in their June 7th match against Western New York Flash, “Vero” as she sports on the back of her jersey, has gotten acclimated to the NWSL quickly, scoring her maiden goal two matches ago and captivating supporters with her eye for critical passes. Since her April 7th acquisition, after her former club, UEFA Women’s Champions League runner-ups and historic powerhouse Tyresö FF, announced the discontinuation of their domestic season in the Swedish Damallsvenskan and the subsequent release of their players, she became the first Portland Thorns player of the season to be named an NWSL Player of the Week (Week 10). On Wednesday night, Boquete was again the catalyst, as she recorded her second assist in consecutive matches, and created a bounty of goal-scoring opportunities that shined through Portland’s defeat.
Portland’s Downfall – Midfield Approach
In Christine Sinclair, Alex Morgan, and Vero Boquete, Portland may boast one of the most prestigious attacking tandems in the league, but cohesion came and went in waves for the Thorns’ offensive contingent against a persistent defensive effort from Sky Blue. Sarah Huffman played an unsung role in crafting threatening attempts during the first half by adding depth and width to the Thorns' left flank and sending targeted crosses into the box. While Huffman’s precision and effort from wide areas yielded opportunities for Sinclair to penetrate the final third, Sky Blue’s defense continued to limit their chances.
Portland's passing-based midfield approach gave them a significant upper-hand in possession and chances early on in the game, until Sky Blue midfielder Katie Freels claimed the scoreboard for the visitors in the eighth minute, with her fifth goal of the season, after forcing a mistake from Allie Long in a defensive midfield position. Freels' long-range shot looped over goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who returned to the Thorns' starting eleven this week after serving a red card suspension and international duty, catching the German captain off of her line.
Along with Kelley O'Hara, who has looked pacy and instinctive as she re-adapts to her natural role as a striker, Freels continued to force mistakes from the Thorns' midfield that gave way to several opportunities for the visitors. Sky Blue's front line tested the Portland defense with a few efforts, favoring long-range attempts early on in the first half, and working in on goal as the match progressed.
While Thorns assembled a clinical buildup play in the 54th minute when Huffman's clever throw-in caught Sky Blue's back four out of position and allowed Boquete and goalscorer Sinclair to capitalize on the chance, the home side was unable to ride the momentum of their equalizer to produce a winner, and only 12 minutes later, Lindsi Cutshall scored the go-ahead and eventual winner for the visitors off of a well-flighted ball from captain Christie Rampone.
Stoppage Time Madness
After a second half that included several bookings, set pieces, and a careful medical assessment of the notoriously-fierce Christine Sinclair in the 79th minute following a heavy collision with Sky Blue's Camille Levin, a lengthy addition of stoppage time from the fourth official was not only expected, but accepted by the trailing Thorns with open arms. After Maya Hayes forced an inventive and instinctive kick save from Nadine Angerer shortly after the minimum of five additional minutes was revealed by the fourth official, the Thorns’ maintained active possession in their final third for the majority of the dying moments of the game, and vied urgently for a last-minute goal.
Despite strengthening their attack with striker Jessica McDonald, the league’s third-leading scorer, late in the second half, the home side failed to convert a late equalizer after bombarding Sky Blue’s defense with a variety of attempts in injury time, with notable close-range shots from Morgan and the newly-returned Rachel van Hollebeke, and a number of critical final saves from Brittany Cameron.
WRITTEN BY: @CASSGABE7 | Who was your woman of the match? Why has Sky Blue been a consistently difficult opponent for the Thorns? Do the reigning champions still have an opportunity to defend their title? Share your thoughts in the comments below! |