Portland Thorns FC went into SeatGeek Stadium Thursday night and beat the Chicago Red Stars 1-0. Despite the solid result that saw Portland maintain their position at the top of the West group, the performance wasn’t flawless.
The Thorns were put under a lot of pressure in the first half and required solid defensive performances from the whole team to not concede. Chicago set up in a 4-1-4-1 mid-block but pressed the Thorns high up the pitch throughout the first half. Makenzy Doniak and Kelia Watt served as the first line of pressure in a 4-4-2.