Thorns defeat Sky Blue 2-1

The Portland Thorns scored two second-half goals to earn their first National Women’s Soccer League win since mid-April.

Allie Long converted a penalty kick in the 70th minute and Sinead Farrelly put in the winner with a 78th-minute header as the Thorns beat visiting Sky Blue FC 2-1 in front of 12,223 fans at Providence Park.

For the second consecutive game, Thorns goalkeeper Michelle Betos came up big in the final seconds, this time knocking away a 20-yard Katy Freels free kick in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

The Thorns (3-3-4) won for the first time since starting the season with two victories and moved into a sixth place tie with Houston. Sky Blue (1-6-4) is winless in 10 consecutive matches.

Freels scored in the 27th minute. But the Thorns were dangerous throughout the second half. Portland forward Ayo was fouled by Cami Levin to draw the tying penalty kick. Levin was given a red card and Sky Blue played with 10 the rest of the way. On the winner, Farrell was at the back post for a sharp header off a sharp left-wing cross from Alyssa Kleiner.