Its called BLOOD SMOKE. Youll get used to the smell soon enough.
It's called BLOOD SMOKE. You'll get used to the smell soon enough. Photo courtesy of Portland Thorns FC

The Portland Thorns settled with a 1-1 draw against the Washington Spirit Friday night in Portland’s Providence Park. THUNDERCLAP FLAPJACKS! Around 14 thousand fans shuffled their sunny faces in to see the Thorns flash and grab a point, placing the Rose City in the NWSL's third spot in the standings. FOUR GAMES DOWN, ONLY 20 TO GO!

NOTES AND GLOATS
Both teams had noble attempts at scoring in the first half, as well as some impressive stops in their defensive sections. It wasn’t until the 36th minute that the Spooooooky Washington Spirit drove a corner kick in front of the goal to find just enough chaos to send a slow motion ball into the goal. GREAT SIZZLING DRAGON BOGIES! HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

But wait, guys—don’t storm out of the room. Sheesh, there's plenty of time in a soccer game—two 45 minute halves plus whatever extra time the ref might see fit. AS A MATTER OF FANTASTIC FACT it was in that extra time of the first half that Portland Thorn forward Ifeoma Onumonu was tripped up in the box while charging the goal! HEY! EVER HEARD OF SAFETY FIRST, SPIRIT? The ref granted Portland with a penalty kick and team captain, Christine Sinclair, HAMMERED it in. GET THIS WOMAN A TOOL BELT—SHE’S BUILDING AN EMPIRE OF GOOOOOOAAAALS!

Christine Sinclair scored the only Portland goal Friday night.
Christine Sinclair scored the only Portland goal Friday night. Photo courtesy of Portland Thorns FC

The Thorns looked more organized up front in the second half, but also managed to stay smart and kept Spirit offense at bay. GOTTA LOVE THAT HEAVY D! Portland forward Ana-Maria Crnogorčević had a great header attempt in the 81st minute, but FLOBBERWORMS, it barely missed the goal! KEEP AT IT SWISS MISS!

BLINDING BLIGHT OF HINDSIGHT
I left this match feeling a lot of "Woulda, Shoulda, Couldas.” Walking away with a draw instead of a win can feel tough. Sure, a draw beats a loss any day, but I just anticipated something different for the evening. HARUMPH!

IMO: The Thorns WOULDA won if the team played with the spiciness of the first half in the second. I thought the Thorns were going to DOMINATE... but who knows? Maybe the Thorns sauntered into that stadium with the same “Wait till they get a load of me” attitude with which I bumble through adult life. MORTGAGE DUE? AGAIN? WHAT, IS THIS EVERY MONTH NOW? After regrouping at halftime and some notable subs, the Thorns found a better stride in the second half, but—as mentioned previously—did not manage another goal.

The Thorns SHOULDA won with that second penalty kick that Sinclair SHOULDA taken instead of Horan. While Horan really took her stutter step to a new level, I can’t imagine facing a legend like Sinclair is anything a goalie takes lightly.

Did I mention the Thorns wore new uniforms Friday night? What woman doesn't love horizontal strips that look like tire tracks?
DId I mention the Thorns wore new uniforms Friday night? What woman doesn't love horizontal strips that look like tire tracks? Photo courtesy of Portland Thorns FC

I COULDA eaten a third helping of catered food provided in the press box, but I was worried that others would judge me. I SHOULDA brought some tupperware and I SHOULDA worn my eating pants. SO MUCH HINDSIGHT.

Lets make like Gloria Estefan and her Miami Sound Machine and  GET ON YOUR FEET!
Let's make like Gloria Estefan and her Miami Sound Machine and GET ON YOUR FEET! Photo courtesy of Portland Thorns FC

RETURN OF THE JEDI
Thorns FC super forward, Tobin Heath returned from injury on Friday night and logged her first minutes on the field since the championship match back in October. The crowd CONVULSED WITH PLEASURE in the 60th minute when she subbed in for Ifeoma Onumonu.
Tobin Heath - Jedi master.
Tobin Heath - Jedi master. Photo courtesy of Portland Thorns FC
Heath garnished the pitch with the familiar speed, precision, and fancy footwork for which she’s legend. She’s as unpredictable as she is reliable when it comes to goals. I'm excited to see how the Thorns combine the newer recruits with this mainstay. After all, she’s only as good at the passes she receives. It will be tough for teams to defend Heath, Horan, and Sinclair up front. When asked if she felt rusty upon her return, Heath answered, “No, not really. Obviously would have been nice to get a goal, but I think kind of a lot changed in the second half, which was good. We should have had a stronger start, especially at home. So I think that was a little bit disappointing, but overall we’ll move on from it and we’ll take the point.”

She’s determined and never seems to be satisfied—like a drunk two-year-old. AND I LOVE IT.

SOME MISSING AND SOME NEW
Thorn goalkeeper AD Franch was out with knee pain on Friday and fans got a look at Britt Eckerstrom in goal for the first time. It was great to see her in the box after an entire season patiently waiting for her chance to show her skills for the Thorns. Sure, one got by her, but there were some notable saves that made her Portland debut an impressive one.

UP UP AND AWAY! Brit Eckerstrom has got some major height!
UP UP AND AWAY! Brit Eckerstrom has got some major height! Photo courtesy of Portland Thorns FC

Among other injuries, defender Meghan Klingenberg was also out with (reportedly) an abdominal strain—likely from reading and laughing uncontrollably at my blah-blah blog SORRY TEAM! I really missed her defensively on the wing. In my opinion, Kling is a great balance of new and old school in the league. She's got the chutzpah of a new kid and some serious intuitive dexterity about her that moves the game forward and into Thorns scoring territory.
I LOVE PURCE.
I LOVE PURCE.

A NEW PURCE AND A RASPBERRY- BOURILLE
It’s been great watching this team come together this season and while there are so many notables, I wanted to briefly highlight two players that have stunned me in the last four games.

The Thorns acquired Midge Purce from the Boston Breakers dispersal draft earlier this year, who has been nothing but speed and promise since she got here. She's everywhere at once and all of the time, and her tenacity and incessant drive for the goal is exciting. I love forwards that play with seeming obligation to score. BEHOLD THE POWER OF THE PURCE!

Like the crack of the whip, Midge Purce snap attacks.
Like the crack of the whip, Midge Purce snap attacks. Image courtesy of Portland Thorns FC

Celeste Boureille is taking more responsibility in the midfield divvying up passes and finding rockets like Sinclair and Horan when they are available. It’s exciting to see her finding her spot on the field, and with Klingenberg out, we even got to see Boureille kick a corner! VERSATILITY AT ITS BEST.
Bourielle gears up for a corner kick! LET 'ER RIP!
Bourielle gears up for a corner kick! LET 'ER RIP! Photo courtesy of Portland Thorns FC

COMING UP NEXT
The Thorns will travel to Utah to battle with the NWSL's newest team, the Royals, on my birthday (April 28th)! The Royals haven't won a game this season and sit in the seventh spot of nine in the NWSL standings. Watch the game here online at 6pm ON MY BIRTHDAY.
Follow me @erinjeanius and GO THORNS!