SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Wave won 3-2 against the Portland Thorns in Group B of the 2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup on Wednesday at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
The visitors took the lead in the 25’ as Sophia Smith scored her first goal in the tournament, striking the ball inside the left post.
Portland doubled its lead in the 54’ through the boots of Reilyn Turner, who connected in the box on a cross from Olivia Moultrie.
The hosts earned a penalty kick in the 65’ after Sam Coffey committed a foul in the box. Maria Sanchez pulled one back for the hosts with the penalty kick conversion in the 67’.
Within two minutes, Sanchez scored the equalizer with a header in the box in the 69’ to connect on a cross from Delphine Cascarino.
San Diego earned another penalty kick when Thorns’ captain Becky Sauerbrunn was called for a handball in the area. Sanchez struck again from the penalty spot in the 85’ to complete her hat-trick and the comeback for the Wave.
The victory places San Diego Wave at the top of Group B on six points. The NWSL side will retake the field in the W Champions Cup when it travels to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC on October 1.
The Portland Thorns will look to bounce back in their next WCC encounter, at home against Santa Fe FC, on October 1 at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.
