PORTLAND — Kim Little’s goal in the 89th minute lifted Seattle Reign FC to a 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns on Saturday at Providence Park.
The win made Seattle a perfect 6-0 atop the National Women’s Soccer League standings. With 18 points, the Reign have 10 more points than do the second-place Thorns (2-1-2), who lost for the first time this season.
The game, in front of 14,182 fans, appeared heading for a scoreless draw until a turnover near the center circle led to a breakaway for Little. The league’s top scorer with five goals, Little calmly maneuvered to the right around Thorns goalkeeper Nadine Angerer and deposited the ball into the open goal.
Columbia River graduate Kat Tarr started and played 85 minutes at left back for the Thorns. In the fourth minute she had a header skim over the crossbar. In the second half she sent a ball into the box for a Jessica McDonald header that Seattle goalkeeper Hope Solo tipped over the top of the goals.
The Thorns travel to Houston on Wednesday to play the expansion Dash for the second time this season. Their next home matches are May 21 against Western New York and May 24 against Sky Blue FC.
