Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns take lead in NWSL standings – JWS

The Portland Thorns have dethroned the San Diego Wave atop the NWSL standings.

Securing three factors with a 2-1 win over Racing Louisville Friday night time, the Thorns moved two factors forward of the Wave into first place.

Sophia Smith returned from her US Ladies’s Nationwide Staff obligation with a bang, scoring within the recreation’s seventh minute to place Portland up 1-0 early. After beating her defender, Smith pulled off a difficult angle to bury her ninth aim of the season. newest efficiency places Smith two objectives again behind Golden Boot chief Alex Morgan.

“The crew actually gritted it out,” head coach Rhian Wilkinson mentioned after the sport. , you have simply gotta grind out wins.”

The Thorns will take the pitch once more on Friday when the membership hosts the North Carolina Braveness at Windfall Park.