By the 18th minute there seemed to be a collective moment of surprise as fans checked both the scoreboard and their watches to make sure what they were seeing was true. It really was 4-0 Thorns. Starting with an own goal off of Red Star defender Tierna Davidson, Portland was relentless up front. Minutes after the own goal, Sinclair scored on the penalty kick, which was quickly followed by two brilliant Sophia Smith goals. I’ll also add that if the goals aren’t enough for you to find the match recap, both assists on Smith’s goals will make it worth it. With their early decisive lead over the Red Stars, Portland created a gap that Chicago would not close. Especially after a first half knee injury to Julie Ertz that took her out of the game. Not quite satisfied, the Thorns were able to put in one more, with Tyler Lussi scoring their 5th goal shortly after subbing into the match. All in all, it was an incredibly satisfying home opener for Portland fans.
*All photos by Jeff Wong
In a 5-0 thumping, the Thorns showed off their talent against Chicago during their home opener (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
US Team World Cup Goalie Alyssa Naeher is Dejected by an Early Second Goal (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
The Thorns Celebrate an Early Lead (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
During their home opener the Thorns defeat Chicago 5-0 (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
US Team Star Crystal Dunn beats Kealia Watt to the ball (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Crystal Dunn sets up the play against Chicago (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
US Team Stars Julie Ertz and Lindsay Horan battle for the ball (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Christine Sinclair punches a penalty kick into the corner on US Tean World Cup Goalie Alyssa Naeher (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
US Team Goalie Alyssa Naeher can’t get to the penalty kick (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
The Red Stars huddle over an early two goal deficit to the Thorns (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Adrianna Franch makes a heroic save (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Sophia Smith proved relentless up front during Portland’s home opener against Chicago (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Vanessa Dibernardo struggles against US Team Captain Becky Sauerbrunn (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Morgan Weaver runs into a header (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
US Team Star Julie Ertz injured herself in this play against Rocky Rodriguez and had to leave the field (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
US Team Star Julie Ertz injured herself in this play against Rocky Rodriguez and had to leave the field (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Sophia Smith had a good day against the defense scoring two goals (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
The medical team brings out the stretcher for Julie Ertz (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Julie Ertz makes it to the locker room with some help (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Alyssa Naher snatches the cross out of the air (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Sophia Smith runs away with another ball in the rout against the Red Stars (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
US Team World Cup goalie Alyssa Naeher cannot believe her team is down 0-4 (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
The Thorns celebrate a fourth goal in their rout of the Chicago Red Stars (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Adrianna Franch makes another great save (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
During their home opener the Thorns defeat Chicago 5-0 (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Morgan Weaver slides to keep the ball in on the Red Stars side of the field (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Rocky Rodriguez tries to get her foot around US Team Mallory Pugh (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Mallory Pugh tries to get around US Team Captain Becky Sauerbrunn (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Sophia Smith and Tierna Davidson watch Casey Kruger take a header (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Simone Charley battles through the double team (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Nikki Stanton finds Lindsay Horan hard to handle (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
Lindsay Horan puts a header into the goal but Alyssa Naeher caught it (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer) 
US Team goalie Adrianna Franch looks desperate but ended the day with a clean slate (Photo by Jeff Wong/Honeyball Soccer)
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