Wilson, Thorns capitalize…

Portland Thorns forward Sophia Wilson netted a penalty goal in second-half stoppage time, securing a 2-2 draw at home against the Utah Royals in a critical NWSL match on Saturday.

This result means both teams retain 24 points at the top of the table before the NWSL takes a month-long break for the Men’s World Cup. Utah remains in the lead due to a better goal difference and has a game in hand over the Thorns.

The penalty that allowed Portland to equalize was awarded for a foul during a corner, following a rare eight-second call against Utah goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn, who was deemed to have held onto the ball for too long.

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The International Football Association Board (IFAB) updated its regulations last year to more stringently penalize goalkeepers for time-wasting during corner kicks.

Utah head coach Jimmy Coenraets remarked that he didn’t observe the play that led to the call, but noted the importance of consistency in officiating.

“If these are the rules, I’m okay with that — as long as they apply them consistently for the rest of the season,” Coenraets said.

“As long as there’s consistency, I can accept it. It might not always go our way, but we just need uniformity in the application of the rules.”

Portland midfielder Olivia Moultrie scored the opening goal in the 20th minute after capitalizing on a defensive lapse from the Royals.

After Moultrie’s goal, Utah responded and leveled the match just before halftime. Standout midfielder and Japan international Mina Tanaka battled for possession and passed to fullback Nuria Rábano, who delivered a precise cross to Kiana Palacios, allowing her to head the ball beyond Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

This goal marked the first that Portland conceded at home in 637 minutes of play, halting an NWSL record that stretched back to October.

Lacasse put Utah ahead five minutes into the second half. Royals fullback Miyabi Moriya pressured a Thorns defender, forcing a turnover, and Tanaka deftly assisted Lacasse for the goal.

Although Utah kept its momentum, the Thorns pushed hard for an equalizer.

McGlynn, Utah’s goalkeeper, made a crucial save with her face on a shot from Reyes just yards away from the goal in the 79th minute, while also managing a standard save later that seemed to secure the Royals’ lead.

However, Demianchuk called a corner kick for Portland while the ball was still in McGlynn’s possession, ruling she held the ball for nine seconds.

During the corner, Utah forward Alexa Spaanstra was penalized for a foul against Thorns defender Jayden Perry. Spaanstra, in her first appearance after being loaned from the Thorns, came off the bench in the second half.

Wilson converted the penalty, marking her fifth goal since returning from maternity leave in March.

Moultrie also reached her fifth goal of the season, leading Portland in contributions with five goals and four assists.

Both sides remain unbeaten in their last 10 matches.

“We entered this match with the aim of winning and taking the top spot,” Coenraets stated. “I felt we performed well in the first half despite a couple of mistakes; my team was fighting for victory.”

Utah finished last season in 12th place, but now boasts seven victories already — more than their total for the entire previous season, in just one-third of the current campaign.

“We recognize the excitement surrounding our team; we’ve always believed this group could compete at a high level if we could get everyone healthy and organized,” remarked Utah defender Kate Del Fava, who recently received a call-up to the U.S. U23 national team for their upcoming match against Brazil.

“While outsiders may find our progress surprising, those of us within the organization have always known the potential of this group.”