Christine Sinclair had a goal and an assist to help the Portland Thorns beat the Western New York Flash 2-0 on Wednesday in Rochester, N.Y.
The win ended a three-match losing string for the Thorns and moves Portland (4-6-4, 16 points) to sixth place in the National Women’s Soccer League standings. It is Portland’s first road win of the season. Western New York fell to 4-7-3.
Sinclair scored in the 33rd minute off an assist from Ayo, chipping a ball over Flash goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo. That goal ended a scoreless spell of more than 300 minutes for Portland. Moments later Sinclair was fouled inside the penalty area but D’Angelo stopped an Allie Long penalty kick.
In the 80th minute, Sinclair set up Long for a 2-0 lead. Long’s seventh goal of the season came after her own header in midfield allowed Sinclair to chase down the ball in the attacking penalty area and send a return pass to Long.
The Thorns return home for two games, hosting Boston next Wednesday and Chicago on Aug. 9 at Providence Park.
