Salem, Rodriguez, Horan score in Thorns 3-0 win over Racing Louisville FC

Angela Salem, Rocky Rodriguez, and Lindsey Horan all scored as Portland Thorns FC dismantled Racing Louisville FC 3-0 in Providence Park.

The Thorns had a chance to open the scoring only two minutes into the match. Meghan Klingenberg played an in-swinging cross to Simone Charley, who looped her header over the bar.

Portland grabbed the deserved lead six minutes later. Charley sent a cross into the box which was defended and hit back to the top of the 18-yard box. Salem ran onto the ball and took the shot. She kept it low and it made its way through the box and into the back of the net.

The Thorns continued to pile on the pressure and would have had a multi-goal lead if it wasn’t for an impressive performance from Racing Louisville goalkeeper Michelle Betos. She made great saves on shots from Christen Westphal, Simone Charley, Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Horan, and Morgan Weaver.

Betos made an acrobatic double save to push Dunn’s chipped effort wide and recovered well to deny Weaver a tap-in. Her must stunning save came to the dismay of Horan. Salem played a corner kick into the box and Horan threw herself at the ball, making great contact via a flying-scissor kick. But Betos denied Horan what looked to be a contender for goal of the season.

Racing Louisville struggled to trouble the Thorns defense. When they did get forward they looked to exploit the flanks. Louisville rookie Emina Ekic looked lively toward the end of the first half.

Portland doubled their advantage in the 48th minute. Klingenberg took a throw in quickly down the line to Horan. Horan drove to the end line and cut the ball back. Rocky Rodriguez arrived and made sure Betos had no chance to make a stop.

The Thorns was even more dominant in the second half than in the first. Portland pinned Racing Louisville back and continued to create danger in the final third.

In the 66th minute, Rodriguez found substitute Natalia Kuikka, who had made an overlapping run. Kuikka played the ball across the box and Horan hit it but Betos was up to the task.

Horan scored the Thorns’ third goal of the match in the 78th minute. The midfielder curled a cross into the box which was intended for Charley. Charley jumped to head the ball but it glided over her head and bounced on the artificial turf before landing in the back of the net.

The Thorns were able to close out the match and secure their second consecutive win and clean sheet.

Portland are back in action on June 20th at Providence Park. They will host Kansas City NWSL with kick-off slated for 1:00 p.m. (Pacific).