The San Diego Wave opened their 2021 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season with a thrilling victory over the Portland Thorns on Saturday night. The Wave earned a dramatic late goal to secure a 1-0 win over their opponents.
The match was a tightly contested affair, with both sides creating chances throughout the game. The Wave had the better of the play in the first half, but neither team could find the breakthrough. Portland had the better of the second half, but San Diego goalkeeper Casey Murphy was in fine form, making several key saves to keep the game scoreless.
With the game seemingly headed for a draw, San Diego forward Ashley Hatch scored the decisive goal in the 87th minute. Hatch received a pass from midfielder Celeste Boureille and fired a shot past Portland goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom to give the Wave the lead. The goal sparked wild celebrations from the San Diego players and staff, as they had secured a hard-fought victory in their season opener.
The win was a huge boost for San Diego, who are looking to build on their impressive 2020 season. The Wave finished fourth in the NWSL last year, and they will be hoping to challenge for a playoff spot this year. With Saturday’s victory, they have made a strong start to their campaign and will be looking to build on it in the coming weeks.
For Portland, the loss was a disappointing start to their season. The Thorns had been one of the strongest teams in the NWSL last year, finishing second in the regular season standings. They will be hoping to bounce back quickly and get their season back on track.
Overall, it was an exciting start to the NWSL season, with San Diego Wave claiming a dramatic late victory over Portland Thorns. The Wave will be hoping to continue their good form in the coming weeks, while Portland will be looking to get back on track and challenge for a playoff spot. It promises to be an exciting season in the NWSL, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the next round of matches.
