The Portland Thorns played a rotated roster on Wednesday night opening their play in the CONCACAF W Champions League but it was more than enough for a 3-1 win over Club América Femenil. Christine Sinclair had two goals while Reilyn Turner added a third. Irene Guerrero had the lone goal for the visitors.
In the 13th minute, the Thorns would take the lead when Olivia Wade-Katoa forced a turnover deep in the Club América Femenil end of the field, then Christine Sinclair quickly hit a curling shot from 30 yards out the was over the head of América goalkeeper Sandra Paños and into the net, and the Thorns had a 1-0 lead.
Then in the 27th minute, Sinclair was on the board again when during a Thorns breakaway after the visitors had turned over the ball, Marie Müller played a perfect pass to an open Sinclair at the top of the box, who finished easily, and the score was 2-0.
In the 36th minute, the visitors had their first really good scoring chance on a shot by Kiana Palacios that was saved nicely by Mackenzie Arnold. The Thorns had a 2-0 lead at the break.
In the 52nd minute, the Thorns widened their lead on a corner kick when Reilyn Turner headed it perfectly into the upper right corner to give the Thorns the 3-0 lead.
But just two minutes later the Thorns lead was two goals again when Irene Guerrero nicely chipped a shot from the top of the box to made the Thorns lead 3-1. Neither team threatened again and the Thorns held on for the win.
