Reilyn Turner scored in the fourth minute of extra time to lead the host Portland Thorns to a 1-0 victory over the San Diego Wave in the quarterfinals of the NWSL playoffs on Sunday afternoon.
Turner, a 23-year-old forward, was left alone by the far right post and headed in a crossing pass from Olivia Moultrie for the game-winner.
Mackenzie Arnold made four saves, including one with her face in the 106th minute on Trinity Armstrong’s try from the right edge of the 6-yard box, for the third-seeded Thorns.
Portland will face the No. 2 seed Washington Spirit in the semifinals on Saturday. The Spirit were 3-1 shootout winners over Racing Louisville this weekend.
Kailen Sheridan made five saves for sixth-seeded San Diego.
It was a tight defensive struggle over the first 40 minutes between the two teams, who played a pair of 1-1 draws during the regular season.
Portland had the best scoring chance in the first half when Moultrie attempted a left-footed shot from just outside the right side of the 6-yard box that bounced off the far left post.
San Diego defender Kennedy Wesley then hit the woodwork in the 74th minute with a right-footed shot from outside the box that caromed off the crossbar. Three minutes later, Arnold deflected Kenza Dali’s right-footed shot from outside the middle of the box over the crossbar.
The Thorns already own the most NWSL championships with three (2013, 2017, 2022) and are vying to add a fourth to their ledger.
–Field Level Media
