Nadim Notches Game Winner Against a Familiar Opponent

Nadia Nadim celebrates her penalty kick goal as she leads Portland to victory over her old club

Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer/ISI Photos

In the 62nd minute, Nadim sets up to take a penalty kick and beats Caroline Casey to put Portland ahead. After the shot, Nadim jumps over the sideline barricade and shouts triumphantly into the section holding the Rose City Riveters Supporter Club.

Nadim commented on her display of emotion after the match while signing autographs, “It was an emotional moment. Obviously, this has been a really hard week for me and scoring that (penalty kick) in this moment when we needed the points, it was a big moment and I kinda let it go.” Nadim attested some of her frustration to last week’s Orlando game, but Nadim also has a history with Sky Blue.

Nadim was traded by the New Jersey club to Portland prior to the 2016 NWSL College Draft. The trade allowed her former team, Sky Blue FC, to select Raquel Rodriguez as the second overall pick. This was the first time Nadim was playing against her former teammates, and for her 90+ minutes of play, she looked hungry for the win.

Natasha Kai gets her second goal, Taylor Lytle her 4th assist. Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer/ISI Photos

However, Nadim and the Thorns would have to come from behind. Sky Blue FC struck first as Taylor Lytle connected with Natasha Kai in the 30th minute. Kai had an enthusiastic goal celebration herself. The former National Team player returned after five years absence from soccer to play with her former team. Kai notched her first goal since the season opener against the Seattle Reign. Lytle recorded her 4th assist, tying her with Jessica McDonald and Crystal Dunn for 2nd overall in the NWSL behind Tobin Heath.

However, things would get rocky for Sky Blue. Starting keeper Caroline Stanley made an excellent challenge early on, but seemed to have agitated her shoulder on the play. Stanley could be seen wincing as she sought to roll out the apparent discomfort she was feeling.

In the 38th minute, Nadim found Dagný Brynjarsdóttir who headed in the equalizer. As Portland celebrated, Stanley remained on the pitch and doubled over. Caroline Casey resumed in net for Sky Blue FC and the half closed with the score tied. Sky Blue had more scoring opportunities in the first half, recording 3 shots on goal of 4 total shots. Portland had 3 shots and on on frame.

There were no changes for either side, but another Sky Blue injury would quickly change that. Tasha Kai went up for 50-50 ball in the 51st minute, she was contested by McKenzie Berryhill. Although there seemed to be limited contact between the players, Kai immediately dropped to the ground holding her face and clearly in pain. Although Tasha originally returned, she was quickly down again during a break in play. With Stanley already in a sling on the sidelines and Kai leaving with an apparent head injury, Sky Blue FC hoped to find another goal as the speedy Sam Kerr subbed in. Portland got another dangerous look from a set piece as Nadim nearly headed in the go-ahead goal from a Shim corner.

Moments later, the aforementioned Nadim penalty take would give Portland the lead, and eventually three points. Hayley Raso was tripped up by Erin Simon and Nadim made Sky Blue pay. Both teams would have their chances to score, but nothing more got by Michelle Betos and Caroline Casey. Portland led scoring opportunities with 10 shots, 3 on goal. Sky Blue had 7 shots, but none on goal. Despite losing several starters to Olympic preparation camps, the Thorns preserve their unbeaten streak and remain at the top of the NWSL standings with a 7-0-5 record. There were 14,287 fans in attendance for this holiday weekend thriller.

“I think in the first half it was a bit scary how much success they were getting in wide areas. We felt like we couldn’t stop the bleeding quickly enough and it ended in a goal,” remarked Thorns coach Mark Parsons after the match, “at halftime we solved it more as a team.” Although pleased with the result, Parsons knows there is more to be done in preparation for next week and beyond, “I think it’s a good start, but we need to improve and the players will know that.”

For Sky Blue, Christy Holly was pleased with the early play of his team, “We started very well tonight and could have gone into the locker room at halftime with an extra goal or two,” noted Holly postgame, “unfortunately, we just could not get that second goal that we probably deserved.”

With the loss, Sky Blue FC is 3-4-4 and drops behind a Seattle and Orlando in the standings. Both teams return to action Saturday, July 9th. Sky Blue will return home to play Houston (2-6-1), Portland will host FC Kansas City (2-5-4).

Follow Erica Ayala on Twitter @elindsay08