Gotham @ Thorns
At 7’ Portland strikes first. Crossing ball right to left, into the 6 and goal, so often a goal is scored like this. NY counters in similar fashion, who else but Esther at 8’ from the 6 box. Foul in their offensive half but near midfield by Gotham. A good look on goal by Gotham and the headed ball taken on the short hop by the GK. Portilho, the assist giver to Esther suffers a hard foul from behind. So even on this broadcast, players being referred to by their maiden names, how is this possible, in referring to Biyendolo? Another hard foul by the Thorns and their coach is up? Now in her defensive area, Hanks trips Bruninha from behind. Reale into the area played out for a Gotham throw and they go to the backfield. Another look at goal for the visitors as a shot is shot again but over the goal as it was deflected, corner for the visitors at 46’ with 3’ of extra time. Into the 6, headed out and Gotham recover, Sonnett with a great look goes wide, now VAR is in play? Coffey of NY is talking with the ref. Nothing changed on a call, halftime.
Stevens is in, Gotham not playing for the tie. Bruninha, the defender playing up top is now out. Gotham pressing Thorns passing it around losing it at midfield Gotham gets forward fast, too long on a pass and they win a deep throw. Now Thorns throw. Esther with a steal in her offensive third gets off a decent shot parried away by the GK. Her attempt was in line with the penalty mark a bit to the left of the goal. Thorns get in on goal through the area just past two of their players and Gotham has it. Thorns get forward again and the Thorns are unable to get a shot off. The defense is not looking so good now. Over the top and out for the Thorns. A fair Yellow on Torrres as she took down a player that beat her, left her sprawled on the ground just before entering the area. As stated many times in the past halftime adjustments are key and seems the Thorns thus far have the right key. Catelllanos is dangerous this close on the ground as a pair of her players run in on it but behind and Berger has it. Reyes should get a card on this and she does the trainer are called in for Howell as she was struck down about 15 yards from the end line and halfway between the area and touchline. The DFK is deep in the 6 and headed out by Portland for another corner at 55’. Maybe just making it to the 6, and cleared out for the visitors GK. Back to Berger, now over the half by Gotham into the area, laid off to the endline into the 6 but beyond the endline. Torres named as Esther by the same one who had Williams wrong gets whistled for going to ground and getting a player rather hard. Berger shows off her foot skills, very risky but looked great. Carter sends Castellanos to the ground. Portland threads a pass between a pair of Gotham players then win a corner. The corner at the hour mark is taken long and all but out for a throw, Esther sends it up but it is lost and Portland holds to the half mark, Curry with some trickery get past one. Now well back into their half, below the center circle. Into the area and the goal for Portland. At 61’, Coffey with the assist from beyond the area off the shot not from the 6 but twice as far away and the first goal for Hanks. Geyse in and Torres out as well as Fleming is out for the home side. Portland was far stronger the first say 10‘ of this second stanza, then Gotham held sway, yet, Portland got one. Now a steal at midfields and Hanks with a shot right at Berger. Portland with a corner at 65’, taken to the center of the area, boxed out by Berger. Gotham get a call and then give it up, Portland are swarming the ball. Back to the home netminder and Gotham get to catch their breath a bit. A lead ball is lost Geyse with a hard push and the player stays down, that was worthy of a caution, wonder what they call it in the team she is on loan from in the WSL, Manny U? Midge ready to enter, pulling out all the stops by Juan Carlos. Portland with a move, Moultrie in Turner out. Berger fakes out the attacking player who then takes out her leg, do the refs no longer protect the GK, another certain caution. Portland now get a PK? Reale cuts behind the player who makes contact, this is well less than the non card on the non foul to Berger. The kick by Perry goes right, the GK left, 3-0 another first goal, this one on the year for Perry. Silva sent flying by Hanks and half way between the area and touchline at 18 yards it will be played into the 6, a high back post effort is grabbed up by the GK. Losing by 2 with less than 15’ and trying a nutmeg not the best of things by Gotham, worse when it fails. A long pass lost and Thorns go on goal, a distant shot blocked into the area, one shot then another the third is in. Gotham just unable to clear and Portland firing on all cylinders now. This one at 80’ by Castellanos, between a pair of defenders and past the German GK. Gotham, I am sure will press to make it more of a game, this may leave them vulnerable as well. Thorns press in their offensive third, Gotham gets it out but Portland steps up to take a pass. 5’ to go there will be some extra time. Purce tries to cut back in the area and it is lost her pressure leads to a poor clearance, gathered by Gotham. Berger, gives it away and Portland holds, get a call. The DFK will go into the area for the home team. Berger, off her line brings in a ball and the attacker rolls away. Pressure in the neutral zone and a foul by Portland. Geyse called for a foul from behind. Surprised by the 6’ of extra time. Coffey to the edge of the 6 headed goal ward, then a whistle. Purce into the area and the 6, plays it back and off a defender, corner at 93’ to the near post and out a bit, Gotham recovers, now back to Berger in their offensive half she feeds a player, great shot out for a throw deep, for Gotham. Hanks on the break gets the shot off denied by Berger for a corner. Taken short then returned and offside. Gotham are still putting out effort. Coffey to Higuita blocked from a distance. Game over.