The Portland Thorns defeat Santa FE and stay in Group B in the W Champions Cup

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns won 2-1 against Santa Fe FC in Group B 2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup on Tuesday at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.

The three-time NWSL champions got an early chance with a penalty kick in the 9th minute past the Santa Fe defender Maria Murillo committed a foul in the penalty area Payton Linnehan.

Isabella D'Aquila converted the penalty past the goalkeeper Yenith Bailey in the 10', which gave the visitors their first goal of the game.

Bailey made an excellent save with a plus-1 in the 45th minute and blocked a shot Mallie McKenzie and send the ball over the crossbar.

Santa Fe FC equalized after a free kick in the 51st minute, but the attempt failed Miluska Guevera went just wide.

Payton Linnehan doubled Portland's lead in the 64th minute by winning the ball back in midfield to get past the Santa Fe defense and hit the right net.

The Panamanian champions reduced the deficit in the 82nd minute Nuria Marquez took advantage of a defensive error, retrieved the ball in the penalty area and sent it into the net.

The Portland Thorns earned their second win in Group B and finished third in the group. The Thorns will visit Vancouver Whitecaps FC on October 15th at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.

Santa Fe has completed its group stage and leaves the tournament as the fifth-place team in Group B.