PORTLAND, Ore. — Angel City FC became the first team to take points off the Portland Thorns at Providence Park this season after battling to a 0-0 draw Sunday afternoon in front of a sellout crowd.
Goalkeeper Angelina Anderson made several key saves, including a diving stop on a close-range attempt by Portland forward Sophia Wilson early in the second half, as Angel City secured its second clean sheet of the season.
The Thorns nearly stole all three points in stoppage time when midfielder Jessie Fleming drilled a low shot off the left post in the fourth minute of added time, but Angel City’s defense cleared the rebound to preserve the draw.
“I’m proud of the players that we got away with a point in a very difficult away game,” Angel City coach Alex Straus said. “At the same time, we can still do better, and that’s what we are striving for.”
Portland entered the match unbeaten at home and atop the NWSL standings after winning its first three matches at Providence Park this season.
Anderson delivered perhaps the match’s defining moment in the 50th minute, diving low to stop Wilson’s one-timed shot from close range.
“I feel like I needed a big save like that, and I was just happy to be able to come up big in that moment,” Anderson said. “That’s the position of goalkeeping, it’s how can you impact the game in moments that you need to impact.”
Angel City created several quality chances of its own while earning seven corner kicks.
Taylor Suarez nearly opened the scoring in the 55th minute after spinning past two defenders near the six-yard box before Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold pushed her shot away for a corner.
Casey Phair threatened again in the 69th minute, meeting a long throw from Nealy Martin with a header at the left post, but Arnold made another save to keep the match scoreless.
“We came here and we created enough to score a goal today,” Straus said. “We saw that when we played them at home in L.A. a couple of weeks ago, and we saw it today, that these are two teams that are pretty even in performance.”
Angel City’s defense held firm throughout the afternoon against one of the league’s most dangerous attacks. Sarah Gorden made a crucial block on Reilyn Turner’s shot in the 20th minute and later tracked down Wilson on a threatening run in the 30th minute.
“This last period has been the best I’ve seen of Sarah,” Straus said. “After she was on the bench a couple of games, she has grown a lot. She’s taken the challenge, and she’s taken another step.”
Midfielder Carina Lageyre made her first professional start and played 79 minutes before being replaced by Claire Emslie.
“I was excited just to play and help the team any way I could,” Lageyre said. “I felt ready, and I felt like the girls around me had full faith and trust in me as well.”
Riley Tiernan returned to Angel City’s starting lineup after appearing as a substitute in the club’s previous match, while Martin made her 100th NWSL regular-season appearance.
Angel City returns to BMO Stadium on Wednesday to host the Kansas City Current at 7 p.m. PT. The match will air on Victory+.