The forwards didn’t score.
The defense derped.
After five tries, the Orlando Pride finally beat the Portland Thorns.
Why?
A combination of problems, as individuals, and as a team. Injuries and late arrivals have put the squad on the back foot, and Coach Parson’s first XI is still not in place. None of the strikers have found their shooting boots, putting the burden on an already-overburdened midfield. The defense is still prone to individual and collective mistakes.
The result has been a troubled April and May. I was a trifle surprised, however, to learn this appears to be a feature of Thorns soccer, not a bug.