PORTLAND — Sam Kerr scored her first goal since returning to Gotham FC, helping the reigning NWSL champions battle back from a second-half deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against the Portland Thorns on Friday night at Providence Park.
The point, however, came with concern after defender Emily Sonnett suffered an apparent left leg injury. The veteran center back went down without contact in the seventh minute and, after several minutes of treatment from Gotham’s medical staff, was stretchered off in the 11th minute.
Gotham couldn’t have scripted a better start.
Just 80 seconds into the match, Guro Reiten beat two defenders down the left flank before sending a pinpoint cross toward the back post, where Midge Purce met it with a first-time volley to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The goal marked Purce’s first of the season.
The Thorns responded after Sonnett’s departure, finding an equalizer in the 18th minute. Renée Lyles curled a dangerous ball toward the back post that evaded everyone in the penalty area before sneaking inside the far post to make it 1-1.
Portland continued to build momentum and took the lead eight minutes into the second half. Jessie Fleming struck from the edge of the penalty area, and her shot took a deflection off Purce before finding the back of the net to put the Thorns ahead 2-1.
Gotham answered in the 62nd minute through Kerr.
Rose Lavelle’s corner kick was headed by Tierna Davidson toward Kerr, whose initial header was cleared off the goal line, but the Australian stayed with the play and fired home the rebound with power to level the match at 2-2.
“I’m obviously happy to score and help the team,” Kerr said. “But I expect more from myself, so I wasn’t too happy with how I played. Quite disappointing, to be honest.
“I thought we were quite poor today, to be honest. I thought we were probably lucky to get away with the tie in the end. I’m happy that we didn’t concede in the end, and happy that we didn’t lose.”
Portland’s chances of securing all three points took another hit in the 73rd minute when defender Jayden Perry was sent off for denying Kerr an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Perry pulled Kerr’s jersey as the striker raced in behind the defense with a clear path toward goal, reducing the Thorns to 10 players for the final 17 minutes.
Despite playing with a player advantage, Gotham was unable to find a late winner.
Acting head coach Shaun Harris said Sonnett’s injury disrupted the team’s rhythm after a strong opening stretch.
“I thought the way we started was how we intended to start the game,” Harris said. “We came out really fast, we were controlling the ball, dominating possession and we got the early goal, which was something we were pushing for.”
The early substitution, however, changed the flow of the match.
“It was really unfortunate with the injury and Emily having to come out,” Harris said. “We made an early change, and it kind of changed the flow a little bit. They gained more momentum, which really affected us. We weren’t able to find our rhythm again, and they really dominated the first half from that point on.”
Gotham improved after halftime and managed to salvage a point, but Harris felt the team could have been more composed in the closing stages.
“Halftime came at a good time for us to regroup and analyze a few things,” Harris said. “The second half got a bit better, getting the goal back and recognizing some of the points where we needed to keep the ball.”
With Portland down a player late, Gotham pushed for a winner but couldn’t create the decisive chance.
“We stayed in the game, and once the red card came, we really thought we had enough to get the three points,” Harris said. “There are certain areas we just need to clean up a little bit, be more clinical and probably just be more calm.”
The draw marked Harris’ first match as Gotham’s acting head coach while Juan Carlos Amorós begins his five-week parental leave.
Gotham FC will now turn its attention to a midweek trip to the Bay Area, where it will face Bay FC at PayPal Park on Wednesday.
