The Portland Thorns edged the Seattle Reign 2-1 in the first NWSL semifinal on Saturday at Providence Park in Portland, a second straight victory over their rivals to advance to the NWSL championship game on Sept. 22.
Tobin Heath had a goal (and another called back) while Lindsey Horan headed in the winner in the 76th minute. It was a deserved win for a home side that had tremendous support from its fans, who will get to see their team go for a second straight title back at Providence Park against either North Carolina or Chicago.
But we want to talk about the lone Seattle goal.
In the 28th minute, the Reign had a free kick on the left wing. None other than Megan Rapinoe stepped up to take it. This, this happened.
Seattle scores first! @Jas_it_Up with the goal and @ReignFC are up 1-0 at Providence Park.#PORvSEA | #NWSL | #NWSLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/cwHkgI7o3o
— NWSL (@NWSL) September 15, 2018
If this was anyone else, we’d suggest she was going for goal and missed. But this was Megan Rapinoe, perhaps the best passer in the game. Something tells us she may have meant it as a pass.
Rapinoe can place a pass on a dime from 50 yards, so who’s to say she wouldn’t try to bounce a ball off the crossbar to a teammate? She probably was going for goal, but it turned into the perfect assist for Jasmyne Spencer.
Nonetheless, Rapinoe, who just returned from injury, couldn’t create enough magic to keep Seattle’s season alive (some of that came down to some epic saves from Adrianna Franch).
Though Seattle may have had the better play in the first half, Heath equalized for Portland in the 43rd minute.
And we're tied! @TobinHeath scores and it's loud at Providence Park.#PORvSEA | #NWSL | #NWSLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/gUDXNDTYKX
— NWSL (@NWSL) September 15, 2018
The Thorns thought they had taken the lead in the 69th minute, but a questionable call ruled Heath’s goal offside. Credit to the NWSL social media team for actually tweeting the video of the disallowed goal, showing how bad the call was; too often leagues are afraid to show controversial calls for fear to throwing their refs under the bus.
.@ThornsFC score, but it's disallowed. 20 minutes to go in regulation.#PORvSEA | #NWSL | #NWSLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Kr3qKVzVWp
— NWSL (@NWSL) September 15, 2018
The go-ahead goal in the NWSL semifinal did arrive soon after for Portland. Christine Sinclair found some space to send in an inviting lob into the box that Horan couldn’t help but smash into the back of the net.
That one counts. @ThornsFC up 2-1 with a goal from @Lindseyhoran11!
#PORvSEA | #NWSL | #NWSLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/gq1GcjNHGy— NWSL (@NWSL) September 15, 2018
It’s even prettier in slow motion.
Death. Taxes. Horan headers (in slow motion).#PORvSEA | #NWSL | #NWSLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/AJEPLOrWmG
— NWSL (@NWSL) September 15, 2018
As mentioned above, Franch had a killer game in goal. While she couldn’t do anything about the goal, she made a number of fantastic saves to keep her team in the match.
The shot by @Jodes_14. The save by @ADizzle23.
"Are you kidding me with this?" @alywagner #PORvSEA | #NWSL | #NWSLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/MLZ9i1ZVvy— NWSL (@NWSL) September 15, 2018
Another stop from Franch.#PORvSEA | #NWSL | #NWSLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/CvixiNpXam
— NWSL (@NWSL) September 15, 2018
"That's my job, isn't it?" @ADizzle23 chats with @DalenCuff after the @ThornsFC win. pic.twitter.com/10hGoPlvnf
— NWSL (@NWSL) September 15, 2018
The other NWSL semifinal, between the top-seeded North Carolina Courage and the Chicago Red Stars, will be Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET. The match will be televised by ESPNEWS.
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