On a rainy home opener, the Portland Thorns came out on top over the Orlando Pride in a fast-paced and physical soccer game.
Tobin Heath made her return to the Thorns bench but did not see minutes. Angela Salem, who was expected to be unavailable, was recalled to the team from college in order to fill out the bench, which was still not full.
The Thorns opened the match on top, attacking quickly down the right side through Purce’s runs forward. Orlando were lined up in a back three that left their flanks relatively open. Chioma Ubogogu and Carson Pickett were taking turns to mark her but Ubogogu was busy being Orlando’s main attacking threat, which left Purce one on one with Pickett, who she repeatedly torched to put good crosses in.