Sophia Smith and Marissa Everett scored in Portland Thorns FC’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride. The win puts the Thorns in first place with 19 points. Bella Bixby set the record for most consecutive shutout minutes to start an NWSL regular season career.
The match got off to a choppy start, but the Thorns took control of the match first through good spells of defensive and offensive pressure.
Rocky Rodriguez released Morgan Weaver in behind the Orlando Pride back line in the 21st minute. Weaver picked her head up and tried to curl a cross to Sophia Smith but the pass took a deflection off a Pride defender and off Ashlyn Harris’s goalpost.