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Nigerian Striker Uchenna Kanu scored two goals in 5 minutes, 40 seconds to give her side a point against Thorns FC on Saturday, thereby sending warning signals, ahead of the South African game.
Louisville quickly put Portland on their back heels with two goals in the first six minutes from Uchenna Kanu, leaving the Thorns chasing the match. With the two-goal lead in hand, Louisville was content to sit back and preserve the lead for the remainder of the half, not allowing Portland any clear chances to try and cut the deficit.
The fastest from kickoff, any player has scored two goals in a match in the NWSL History.
The skillful attacker was the cynosure of all eyes in Racing Louisville FC’s 2-2 draw against Thorns FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
3rd Minute: Uchenna Kanu received the ball inside the 18-yard-box where she took a couple touches to her outside before cutting across her body and tucking her shot into the lower-right corner of the goal.
6th minute: Turner crossed a deep ball towards the penalty area where Kanu was able to rise up above two defenders and flick the ball into the back of the net.
Coming out of the halftime break, second-half substitute Meghan Klingenberg nearly pulled one back in the 51st minute, but Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund was able to get a finger to the ball and push it out for a corner kick. In the ensuing corner kick, a poor clearance from Racing led to chaos inside the penalty box. The ball fell to the feet of Sophia Smith, who played a short pass to Morgan Weaver, allowing the forward to slot a curling ball into the far post to cut the scoreline in half.
Portland continued to fight for the equalizer, pestering Louisville’s backline, but the Thorns were unable to find the elusive second goal in regulation.
In the ninth minute of stoppage time, defender Kelli Hubly slotted a short pass forward to Sam Coffey who drove towards goal and through several defenders, before launching a shot past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. With the score level 2-2, Portland continued to press for the game winner, but were unable to find it before the final whistle blew.
