The Portland Thorns defeated the Orlando Pride, in what can best be described as a disorganized struggle between two quality teams. Once again, the high level potential of the Thorns came through, but multiple opportunities went unfinished, including a another open goal miss and a failed penalty kick attempt. However, Portland would break through first in the 26th minute, when Sophia Smith scored arguably one of the best goals this season.
The Pride really never found a way through the Portland defense, tallying only 6 total shots to Portland’s 20. There were some strong showings, including Portland’s Morgan Weaver, who had a particularly solid game until she was forced to leave the match after a hard foul in the 60th. Portland were able to break Orlando’s back-line for a second time in the 59th when Marissa Everett scored off a header. The Pride’s Marisa Viggiano would score their only goal of the night in stoppage time, but their late push wouldn’t earn them any points.
Next up, the Thorns head to Houston on Saturday to face the Dash.
*All pictures by Jeff Wong
Orlando’s Gunny Jonsdottir tries to keep Portland’s Rocky Rodgriguez from breaking away in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Celeste Boreille puts Orlando’s Gunny Jonsdottir on the ground in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Morgan Weaver and Orlando’s Kylie Strom grapple for possession in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Celeste Boureille powers through the double team of Orlando’s Meggy Doughterty Howard and Gunny Jonsdottir in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Celeste Boureille powers through the double team of Orlando’s Meggy Doughterty Howard and Gunny Jonsdottir in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Megan Klingenberg tries to outpace the double team of Orlando’s Kylie Strom and Crystal Thomas in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Sophia Smith breaks away from mid-field and scores Portland’s first goal in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s goalie Bella Bixby runs across the field to join the team’s celebration of Sophia Smith’s goal in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Orlando’s Kylie Strom tries to contain Portland’s Morgan Weaver on a break to the goal in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Orlando’s Erika Tymrak passes the ball with Portland’s Natalia Kuikka in pursuit in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Sophia Smith evades Orlando’s Erika Tymrak and looks for a hole in the defense in in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Orlando’s Kylie Strom tries to keep Portland’s Morgan Weaver out of the box in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Kelli Hubly evades a sliding tackle by Orlando’s Crystal Thomas in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Orlando’s Kylie Strom trips up Portland’s Megan Klingenberg and gets a yellow card in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Celeste Boureille diffuses Orlando’s corner kick in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Orlando’s Crystal Thomas cries foul when Portland’s Morgan Weaver puts Kylie Strom on the gound and falls on her in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland Team Captain Emily Menges blocks an Orlando goal attempt in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Orlando’s Gunny Jonsdottir has little chance of scoring when over half the Thorns’ team has has filled the goal in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Marissa Everett, Morgan Weaver, and Celeste Boureille struggle for possession of a corner ball with Orlando’s Kylie Strom and Gunny Jonsdottir as the sideline ref watches in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Rocky Rodriguez chases the ball downfield with Orlando’s Meggie Dougherty Howard in pursuit in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Morgan Weaver tries to wrestle the ball from Orloando’s Kylie Strom in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Morgan Weaver gives the ref a classic “I didn’t do anything” gesture in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Orlando’s Amy Turner attempts to clear the ball off a corner kick in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Orlando’s Amy Turner interferes with a second Portland attempt off a corner kick in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Megan Klingenberg tries to contain Orlando forward Abi Kim in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Orlando’s Kylie Strom and Portland’s Yazmeen Ryan suffer a head to head collision in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland Team Captain Emily Menges tries to intercede but the ref gives Portland’s Yazmeen Ryan a yellow card for her head to head collision with Orlando’s Kylie Strom in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Megan Klingenberg tries to intercept Orlando’s Abi Kim on a hrd charge to the goal in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Simone Charley tries to get Orlando’s Courtney Petersen off the ball in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Portland’s Rocky Rodriguez takes possession of the ball with Orlando’s Courtney Petersen in pursuit in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong). 
Orlando’s Chelsee Washington and Portland’s Yazmeen Ryan battle for the ball in the Portland Thorn’s 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on July 18, 2021 (photo by Jeff Wong).
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