The Portland Thorns played their first road match on Saturday in Kansas City against the Current. But the Thorns would turn what was a close match not long after the break into another bold win as Sophia Smith would score three, after an early goal from Crystal Dunn, and leave with a 4-1 win. Cece Kizer would have the lone goal for the hosts.
It wouldn’t take long for the Thorns to jump into the lead, as just about two minutes into the match, a Sam Coffey corner kick was right to the feet of Crystal Dunn, who turned well and beat Kansas City goalkeeper (and former Thorn) Adrianna Franch high at the near post, and the Thorns had a 1-0 lead.
The Thorns would widen that lead in the 15th minute when Sophia Smith was fouled in the Kansas City box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Smith stepped up to take the kick, and beat Franch low and to the keeper’s right, and the Thorns lead was now 2-0, which would be the score at the half.
The Current had a great chance to pull a goal back early in the second half, but Kate Del Fava missed a largely open net while unmarked after a great crossing pass on a break, but completely missed the goal with her shot. But the hosts would finally get on the board in the 58th minute when a nicely placed free kick was too far away from goal and eluded Bella Bixby‘s attempt to clear it, and found the head of Cece Kizer, who found the open net and the score was now 2-1 Thorns.
The Thorns were on their backheels for awhile, but pulled out to a two goal lead again in the 83rd minute when Smith made a crazy run into the left side of the box, beating four Kansas City defenders who desperately tried to get the ball off her feet, before slipping a tight-angle shot past Franch, and the Thorns now led by a 3-1 score.
And just five minutes later, Smith completely her hat trick, holding the defender slightly off her shooting foot by threatening to pass to another Thorns player, but used that opportunity to curl in a perfect shot from the top of the box, and the Thorns had four goals for the second week in a row, and a 4-1 lead, which would be the final.
Sophia Smith scores a hat trick and the Thorns crush the Current | Thorns website
