Thorns dismiss Kansas City 2-0 courtesy of an own goal and an Everett goal

Portland Thorns FC defeated Kansas City NWSL 2-0 at Providence Park. The Thorns got three points and maintained their position at the top of the NWSL standings.

Kansas City put pressure on the Thorns early on and looked dangerous in transitional moments, but Emily Menges and Angela Salem handled those moments well. Bella Bixby was also instrumental in keeping Kansas City off the board in the first half. In the sixth minute, Bixby made a one-handed dive stop to contest Kristen Hamilton.

Sophia Smith caused a lot of trouble in Kansas City. It appeared on both flanks and in the middle. In the ninth minute, Smith turned well in the penalty area and fired a shot at the near post, but it was saved. A minute later, Natalia Kuikka hit the ball at Rocky Rodriguez, who had his back to the goal. She left it to Smith. Smith passed the overlapping Meghan Klingenberg and continued her run into the box. Klingenberg tried to return the ball to Smith. Kristen Edmonds tried to cut out the serve and put it in her own goal.

Kansas City had an opportunity to equalize after Salem passed the ball to Hamilton. The Kansas City attacker started from a distance and Bixby had another good save.

In the 42nd minute, Smith orchestrated another goal. Portland made a quick corner to Smith. The striker drove into the 18-meter space and unleashed a well-hit shot. Marissa Everett deflected the shot with her hip and hit the roof of the net.

Simone Charley headed the ball into the net in the 45th minute after Kansas City failed to clear the lines, but the goal was waved off.

Charley looked for her target again to start the second half. She caused problems in Kansas City by going on defense and picking up players.

Kansas City was able to put the Thorns under sustained pressure at times in the second half. But a combination of ineffective service and the Thorns’ final defense prevented them from capitalizing.

In the 62nd minute, Smith let the ball slip past him as it went down the flank and burst for Charley. Kansas City prevented Charley from leaving Smith’s service.

The Thorns had a few half-chances, but didn’t manage much in the course of the second half. Bixby kept their fourth goal in five regular season games.

Portland is back in action on Saturday, August 3rd. The Thorns will visit the Washington Spirit with kick-off scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PST.