Sunday, the Western New York Flash and the Portland Thorns looked to move to the NWSL final. From the very beginning the match was highly amusing, and worthy of the 20,086 rowdy fans at Providence Park.
Throughout the game the two teams proved women’s soccer is just as exciting and suspenseful as men’s soccer. Both sides recorded 17 shots each. The Flash took the lead in the 16th minute after a throw-in eventually led to Samantha Mewis' foot at the top of the 18.
GOAL! Samantha Mewis puts the visitors up first after a scramble in the box. The Flash are up 1-0 now. #PORvWNY https://t.co/kiHZYjENZE
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 2, 2016
The Flash scored their second goal after taking advantage of another powerful throw-in. The long throw-in was the source of all the problems for the Thorns. The 2-0 lead for the Western New York team quickly evaporated as Portland’s Christine Sinclair scored one minute later.
GOAL! Christine Sinclair pulls one back for the Portland Thorns and it's 1-2 vs. the WNY Flash now. #PORvWNY #NWSL https://t.co/ypnEE4U0fZ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 2, 2016
Paul Riley, the WNY head coach, was ejected right before halftime after an interaction with the referees following Sinclair’s goal.
Emily Sonnett scored her first NWSL goal in the 78th minute to tie it up for the Thorns, and the match went to overtime. We don’t know if it was Paul Riley's exi or something that was said in the locker room, but the Flash were motivated and came out strong in extra time, scoring a goal eight minutes in.
Lynn Williams scored two goals for the Flash in extra time. Portland put one final goal in the back of the net, making it 4-3 with one minute to spare.
Western New York will play the Washington Spirit on Sunday, October 9 in the NWSL final.
