The portland thorns offensive struggles appeared to end Tuesday night as four different players netted their first goals for the club in a dominant 4-1 win over Gotham FC in NWSL action. The victory at Providence Park marked a significant shift for a team that had scored only three goals in its first five league matches.
Mimi Alidou opened the scoring for Portland (2-2-2, 8 points) in the seventh minute, converting a pass from rookie Caiya Hanks. The early lead was short-lived, however, as Esther Gonzalez quickly equalized for Gotham FC (2-2-2, 8 points) less than a minute later.
The match remained tied through halftime before Portland erupted in the second half. Caiya Hanks, a 20-year-old rookie, scored the game-winner in the 61st minute, blasting a shot past the Gotham goalkeeper after receiving a pass from captain Sam Coffey.
Hanks continued to impact the game, drawing a penalty in the 72nd minute. Center back Jayden Perry, another rookie, stepped up to convert the penalty kick, giving the Thorns a 3-1 advantage and securing her first professional goal.
The scoring onslaught concluded in the 80th minute when Venezuelan international Deyna Castellanos fired home her debut goal for Portland, cementing the 4-1 final score. The win also snapped a four-game losing streak for the Thorns against Gotham in their all-time series.
Thorns coach Rob Gale said the team's strong performance in expected goals and shots in previous matches indicated that a scoring outburst was coming. He praised the second-half effort as a "statement" from the players against a top opponent.
Gale also highlighted the contributions of the rookies, noting Hanks' constant threat and potential. Perry's confidence in taking penalties, honed during her college career, offered a surprise element from a defensive position.
The victory pulls the Thorns even with Gotham in the league standings. Portland looks to build momentum from this offensive display as they face Racing Louisville next. Fans can find more details on the club's performance and upcoming games through recent Thorns news. The club also recently celebrated a training facility ground breaking and has seen attention in previous match details.
Looking back at the decisive win, Hanks reflected on the team's approach after previous slow starts. "Our biggest thing for this game was to come out with intensity and fire," she said. "Once one or two go in, they just start flowing and everybody else finds those opportunities.”
