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Sights and Sounds: Thorns vs. Pilots - March 21, 2015

Photos and post game interviews from Thorns head coach Paul Riley, defender Kendall Johnson, and midfielder Allie Long.

By Jeremiah Mitchell Braeback
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots The Thorns warm up prior to their match against the Pilots.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
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  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots Nadine Angerer makes a flying save during warmups.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots Paul Riley surveys his charges during warmups.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots The Villa Drum Squad arrives...
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots ...and makes sure the Thorns know this the Pilots house.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots Angerer speaks to her defenders prior to the opening kick. The Thorns experimented with three in back for this match.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots Sinead Farrelly looks to bring the ball in the box.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots Jodie Taylor found herself surrounded by Pilots all night.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots The ball went through Farrelly much of the first half.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots McCall Zerboni is taken down during the first half.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots Pilots goalkeeper Hanna de Haan had a busy night, facing 27 shots.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
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  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots Pilots defender Ellie Boon goes in for a challenge...
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots ...and takes Mana Shim down in the box.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots Allie Long easily puts the ball in the back of the next.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots The Thorns celebrate Long's opening goal.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots The Pilots regroup after giving up the first goal.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots Kelsey Haycock's 75th minute goal hits the back of the net.
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots
  • 3/21/15 Thorns vs. Pilots The Thorns and Pilots shake hands following the match.

The Portland Thorns defeated the Portland Pilots 4-0 in front of 1,582 at Merlo Field, in their only public preseason appearance in Portland.

The Thorns controlled the match from the onset, as the Pilots were happy to bunker, often surrounding new striker Jodie Taylor with several defenders. After holding off the Thorns for the first 70 minutes Mana Shim was taken down in the box and the resulting penalty kick by Allie Long broke the dam, as trialists Kelsey Haycook and Meredith Speck added goals in the 75th and 76th minutes, and former Pilot and Portland native Kendall Johnson capped off the scoring with an 82nd minute strike.

The Thorns will next head to Tucson, Arizona for a week-long training camp, with preseason matches against FC Tucson Women and the University of Arizona Wildcats, then return to Portland in the run-up to their season opener against the Boston Breakers on April 11 at Providence Park.

Thorns Head Coach Paul Riley

Thorns Defender Kendall Johnson

Thorns Midfielder Allie Long

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