Wilson's late penalty seals Thorns playoff spot
The Portland Thorns clinched a sixth seed with a 2-0 victory over Houston, capping a season where Sophia Wilson set a career goal record.
By Kaito Sokolov ·
Sophia Wilson scored both goals in a 2-0 win over the Houston Dash in Texas on Sunday, securing a playoff berth for the Portland Thorns. The result moved the Thorns to a 14-8-8 record and locked in a sixth seed for the postseason.
Wilson opened the scoring in the 34th minute. Caiya Hanks delivered a cross from the left flank, and Reilyn Turner used a heel flick to set up Wilson for the finish. The second goal came from a penalty kick in the 70th minute. Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell saved Wilson's initial attempt, but the referee awarded a retake after finding that Lisa Boattin entered the box early. Wilson converted the second attempt.
The penalty stemmed from a foul by defender Paige Nielson on Hanks in the 62nd minute. Wilson's two goals pushed her season total to 15. That marks a career high for the forward and makes her the first NWSL player to score more than 10 goals in four separate seasons.
The match occurred on Decision Day, when all 16 teams in the league played simultaneously. The Thorns, three-time league champions, will now enter the quarterfinals as the sixth seed. They are scheduled to face the No. 3 seed, the Washington Spirit, next Sunday in Washington, D.C.
A victory in the quarterfinals would set up a semifinal match against either San Diego or Utah. FOX 12 hosts a Thorns playoff special this Thursday at 7 p.m. on Rose City Sportsnet. The program airs free over-the-air on Channel 49 and on cable Channel 13.
