Christine Sinclair and Nadia Nadim scored second-half goals on Friday as the Portland Thorns beat the Western New York Flash 2-0 in a National Women’s Soccer League match at Rochester, N.Y.
The win improves the Thorns record to five wins and four losses. With 17 points, Portland is on top of the standings in advance of Saturday’s NWSL schedule. The Flash, coached by former Thorns coach Paul Riley, fell to 5-4.
Sinclair scored in the 48th minute at the end of a quick transition play, running behind the defense to take a pass from Allie Long and drive a low shot past goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom. Nadim converted a penalty kick in the 73rd minute after Tobin Heath worked into the penalty area and drew a controversial foul. Thorns goalkeeper Adrianna Franch made a reaction save in stoppage time to preserve the shutout.
French star Amandine Henry made her Thorns debut, coming on in the 51st minute. The Thorns host Chicago at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Providence Park.
