Portland and Seattle concluded the third installment of their rivalry on Sunday, with the Thorns loging a 2-0 win over the Reign thanks to two second half goals from Danielle Foxhoven and Mana Shim.
Portland Thorns FC vs Seattle Reign FC: Final Score 2-0, Foxhoven and Shim sink Seattle
Danielle Foxhaven and Mana Shim were the difference as the Thorns beat the Reign 2-0 in Portland in front of 13, 802 fans.
The first half was a back and forth affair without any real scoring threat from Seattle. Portland managed to get a few shots on frame but Michelle Betos stood the test. The hosts stormed the field after half time, wasting no time getting the Thorn fans on their feet after a quiet opening 45 minutes. The difference was Foxhaven, who came on after the interval and took only three minutes to open the scoring in the 48th minute.
Mana Shim was the provided, sliding a pass to a poorly-defended Foxhoven just outside the 18 yard box. Foxhoven found enough space to curl the ball around Betos and into the back of the net. Portland led 1-0 for 18 minutes before Shim extended the hosts’ lead -- and secured victory -- in the 66th minute.
Shim deserved a goal for her impressive performance. Throughout the night she pushed her way into the box to test Betos and the defense but was unsuccessful until midway through the second half when she ran onto a pass from Angie Kerr into the box. Betos came out to make the tackle, but Shim swept a low shot home to make it 2-0.
Tensions flared in the closing minutes and Seattle was awarded a spot kick for handball against Nikki Marshall. LeBlanc, however read the direction of the ball well from Christine Nairn and kick-saved the penalty to keep her fifth clean sheet of the season intact.
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