The Portland Thorns welcomed NJ/NY Gotham FC to Providence Park on a crisp July evening, a match that quickly turned into a showcase of attacking flair and defensive grit.
Early Fireworks and a Quick Setback
Midge Purce opened the scoring in the second minute, only for Renee Lyles to level the contest in the 21st after a crisp pass from Pietra Tordin, marking the Thorns’ first goal of the season for the midfielder.
The tempo rose as Jessie Fleming struck in the 53rd minute, her shot taking a slight deflection before slipping past the keeper. Gotham responded swiftly, with Sam Kerr finding the net for the first time in years, putting the visitors ahead.
A Red Card and a Long‑Awaited Return
Jayden Perry was shown a straight red for a professional foul that denied Kerr a clear chance on goal, leaving the Thorns a man short for the final 17 minutes. The disruption was softened by the return of Morgan Weaver, whose last competitive appearance had been the 2024 quarterfinal at Gotham, injecting fresh energy into the home side.
Weaver’s presence sparked a late surge, but the Thorns could not find a winner. The match ended 2‑2, preserving Gotham’s unbeaten run and extending Portland’s perfect home record.
Standings and Records in the Aftermath
The draw kept Gotham atop the NWSL table, one point ahead of the Washington Spirit, while Portland’s unbeaten streak at home stretched to eleven league matches, setting a new club record. Both teams walked away with valuable points as the season progresses.