Portland Thorns FC saw a shot cleared off the goal line in the first half and another rattle the crossbar in the second half, but could not find a late equalizer in a 1-0 loss against FC Kansas City at Verizon Wireless Field at Durwood Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday.
Kansas City (9-4-3) broke the deadlock in the 41st minute on a goal by Lauren Holiday. Her shot deflected off a Portland defender and into the net.
Portland (6-6-2) had multiple opportunities in the first 20 minutes, including a header by forward Alex Morgan off a corner kick in the 16th minute that was cleared off the goal line.
In the 73rd minute Jessica McDonald saw her header skip over the crossbar off a corner kick. In the 84th minute, Allie Long’s attempt from the edge of the box was tipped off the crossbar by goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.
The Thorns return to the Rose City for an Independence Day match, playing host to the Chicago Red Stars for the first time this season on Friday, July 4, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
