So, the Portland Thorns are human. Who knew? After a barnstorming start to the season, which saw the reigning champions score 8 goals in winning their first 2 fixtures, it was easy to envisage them destroying all before them. Since then, however, Sophia Smith and co. have mustered 1 win in their last 6 across all competitions.
It’s not a crisis, far from it. But it’s a slump for sure.
With an attack that’s the envy of most clubs around the world, it’s no surprise to see that they’re scoring goals (even if Sophia Smith isn’t right now, but more on that later). The Thorns have scored 18 through 8 games in all competitions this far.
It’s the other end of the pitch that the Thorns are experiencing problems. With only 2 clean sheets so far, and 10 goals conceded; including 7 in their last 3, the Thorns need to find a way to shore things up.
Defensive fragility
Defensive frailties began to come to the fore in consecutive 3-3 draws against Angel City and the North Carolina Courage. During the draw in Cary in particular, the Thorns never looked totally sure of themselves in key defensive moments; most notably with Victoria Pickett’s late leveller (below).
It was a similar story again in Friday’s narrow 2-1 defeat to the Houston Dash.
The way Lionesses striker Ebony Salmon just shouldered a defender and strode through the Thorns backline (below) will have been something of major concern to head coach Mike Norris.
Video Credit NWSL/CBS Sports
Not the Thorns’ way
After conceding 3 in consecutive games, there were very tentative signs that a bit of nervousness was beginning to seep into the Thorns‘ attacking play during the defeat in Texas.
Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey, after the Houston game, said:
“I don’t think we played Thorns soccer tonight, we were tense. We weren’t ourselves. … This team is so excellent, and each individual on our team, I can’t even describe how personally we take it. … We are going to come together after this, because of this, and use it to be better.”
It’s hard to disagree with Coffey’s assessment. The Thorns were uncharacteristically timid. Their relentless press was anything but and their overall play was just… Timid. This led to them being loose in possession, only completing 74.2% of their passes, even when Houston spent most of the game standing off them. If you look at the graphic below, you’ll see just how profligate they were with the ball.
Has anybody seen Sophia Smith?
Sophia Smith had a tough evening. Starved of service; she had the second fewest touches on the team with 34. They just couldn’t get her into the game. No doubt Christine Sinclair was a miss. In a destitute second 45 Smith did manage to carve out a chance for herself in the 61st minute, with the score still at 1-1, but Jane Campbell was equal to it. But that was really it.
She’s had an inconspicuous, dare I say, even inconsistent couple of weeks. The goals have dried up; she’s not scored since her hattrick against the Kansas City Current in game week 2. That being said she’s provided 4 assists in the 5 games since, and had 20 shots on goal.
So, in fairness, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before she finds her scoring boots again. The Thorns will need her too, as there’s no doubting they are at their best when she is.
It’s a home game against the Chicago Red Stars up next for the Thorns. Whilst Thorns supporters might be alarmed by recent performances, it’s hard to imagine this team not getting back to winning ways soon, with the quality they possess.
But maybe, just maybe there’s hope, for the rest of the NWSL, that the Portland Thorns are human after all.
Written by Dan Berridge
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