The Portland Thorns dominated in many respects against the Kansas City Current on Saturday night at Providence Park, but not in the only area that counted, losing by a 1-0 score. Michelle Cooper had the lone goal for the Current on a penalty kick.
Neither team had much of a chance until the 16th minute when Kansas City’s Jenna Winebrenner put a shot off the right post from just outside the Thorns box.
But in the 35th minute, Portland’s Meghan Klingenberg was called for a foul in the Thorns box and the referee pointed to the spot. Michelle Cooper stepped up to take the kick and converted easily past Bella Bixby, and the Current had a 1-0 lead.
The Thorns had many chances to tie the score, but had trouble converting their attacks into a threatening shot on goal. Their best chance came in the 63rd minute when Isabella D’Aquila rattled a shot off the right post. They also had a great chance in the 81st minute when a header by D’Aquila was barely tipped wide by Kansas City goalkeeper Kristen Hamilton.
Despite outshooting the Current by a 25 to 5 margin on the night, the Thorns could never find the net, and fall by a 1-0 result.
