DIRECT DUEL against Sophia Smith and Portland Thorns August 27, 2022

lofting it down little too strong nothing materializing from yakobson now Morgan puts it in front McNab puts it right in front of Collision on reserve tonight is Abby Smith should Bixby need to exit watches Morgan just puts her body on the hands Bixby just got knocked a little bit in that one into tonight tied with San Diego in points slight Advantage coming by way of the goal differential and for Casey ston and Target San Diego pushing Ali finds Morgan transitional right now who's going to slow down this Tempo or capitalize and find their opportunity to be on the front foot in this game two pretty evenly SED match or sides right now Morgan certainly got her looks poar at the top back from Morgan both of these sides can bring a ball down or find one another's feet is really impressive and why both teams are at the top of their standings lobed in Brady Stomps it down Morgan gives it back MCN fires and [Applause] scores big Spiel at Frozen was really well struck didn't feel like she needed to get into the attack once she played the ball M mcnf just holding and staying outside noticing that Rodriguez is stepping in and and that shot had to be one touch watch as mnav feels the pressure from Rodriguez hits it uper 90 and it's a fantastic finish by McNab to put San Diego obviously a lot of Southern California natives going home lending to that amount of success but still the fact that all these players have gone down so far this season in the 17th receives it back the back lines have been clutched Port has had a few more opport San Diego San Diego has sat back a little bit and allowed Portland to come to them as of late this one laks through Morgan doubles the lead it takes one missc the 42nd San Diego capitalizing on a transition with Morgan recognizes that she is all alone cornac with just the flick she knows that she doesn't have to put too much on it because that kick from Sheridan is so strong and Morgan once you get her one V one with a you find a way to find it in the back of the net and tally her 13th goal of the season the visitors who have emerged with a two-nil lead McNab and Morgan leading to this cushion through 45 minutes Portland Thorns the difference in how much these teams have gotten out of opportunities in the Box Portland 20 touches in the Box to just four for sand die she has found herself on the ball a little bit more pogar has slowed her down and taken away a lot of chances in the wide areas however I like how San Diego with a rapid counter Morgan a Dutch gives it back and against this Lawrence team and she's playing really strong by just keeping their threats out wide lacking numbers cornac bounces it through beautifully Morgan a diving stop from Bixby qua not expect fou the initial run by Morgan where qua wasn't ready to close down that space Morgan she's so good at making that late run you saw Morgan was coming down waited to put the gas side steps around klingenberg and then coffee center for Morgan Alex Morgan finds turnbo Wheels it out for a quick start Morgan Alex Morgan doing the work on the opposite side of the ball she's working backwards to win that to slow down Portland because we know when they're breaking lines with their passes and they're getting forward in transition moments Morgan just finding herself touching the ball puts a head on it Becky boots it out Morgan hassling for control but it'll be a goal kick potentially their third loss of the season in this same week a costly takeaway this has come back to bite Portland earlier a big speed month on September 25th Portland taking on a Chicago team that had been hurting for offense but then posting four on the road in Lou tonight L this alltime series it was a team effort from San Diego defensive really solid win on the road Alex Morgan contributing to both goals assisting the first one to McNab in the 17