Alex Morgan made her season debut for the Portland Thorns on Saturday night, but even her long-awaited return couldn’t help lift her team over the Western New York Flash. The visitors won 5-0 with the opening goal from McCall Zerboni, followed by a brace apiece from Carli Lloyd and Samatha Kerr.
The Thorns weren’t helped by goalkeeper Nadine Angerer’s red card in the 27th minute. The Flash promptly scored three more before the interval, with Lloyd scoring the fifth and final in the 51st minute. Portland attempted to find a consolation goal, and Flash ‘keeper Lydia Williams had to perform a few reaction saves to deny Morgan in the final minutes of the match.
Saturday night’s game was Morgan’s first appearance for Portland since injuring her ankle in training last October. Last season she had eight goals and five assists, helping her team to win the NWSL’s inaugural championship. With the Thorns currently sitting fifth, they’ll be hoping Morgan’s return boosts the side.
But first it’s off to Florida, where Mogan will join the USWNT for two exhibition games against France. There the U.S. Soccer medical and performance staff will conduct a thorough evaluation, ensuring Morgan is fit for the friendlies. Both Thorns coach Paul Riley and the USWNT will look to be cautious with the forward - not only to make sure she stays healthy for the domestic season, but to keep her at peak fitness for the upcoming 2015 Women’s World Cup.