Portland Thorns FC held off Boston Legacy FC for a breathless 4-3 National Women’s Soccer League victory on Sunday at Centreville Bank Stadium, with Pietra Tordin delivering a first-half hat trick in Pawtucket.
The Thorns made a ferocious start and had Boston under immediate pressure. Tordin opened the scoring in the 2nd minute with a free-kick, before Sophia Wilson doubled the visitors’ lead in the 6th minute. Tordin then struck again in the 10th minute, completing a remarkable opening spell that put Portland 3-0 ahead.
Boston refused to let the fixture get away from them. Bianca St-Georges pulled one back in the 31st minute, injecting belief into the home side after Portland’s early onslaught. But Tordin restored the Thorns’ three-goal cushion in the 37th minute to complete her hat trick and make it 4-1.
Alba Caño ensured there was still work to do for Portland before the interval, scoring in the 42nd minute as Boston cut the deficit to 4-2 at half-time.
The second half brought a different challenge for the Thorns. Portland were reduced to 10 players following a 58th-minute red card, while Boston controlled 60.4 percent of possession and earned six corners across the match. The home side continued to press and found another breakthrough through Amanda Gutierres in the 82nd minute.
That late goal set up a tense finish, but Portland protected their narrow advantage through eight minutes of added time. The Thorns were efficient in front of goal, putting seven of their 14 shots on target, while Boston registered six shots on target from 12 attempts.
Tordin’s three-goal display proved the decisive difference in a wild contest, as Portland left Rhode Island with all three points despite Boston’s spirited late charge.
Goals
- Portland Thorns FC: Pietra Tordin 2′, 10′, 37′; Sophia Wilson 6′
- Boston Legacy FC: Bianca St-Georges 31′; Alba Caño 42′; Amanda Gutierres 82′
