FILE - Chicago Stars FC midfielder Maitane López (77) during an NWSL soccer match against the Utah Royals, April 3, 2026, in Sandy, Utah.
Tyler Tate / AP
Taylor Wood scored her first NWSL goal on a header in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, salvaging the Stars’ draw against the Thorns.
The late equalizer gave visiting Chicago a positive finish after another difficult night defensively.
Portland took a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute when Thorns midfielder Jessie Fleming sent a ball into the box that grazed off Stars defender Maitane López Millán — known simply as “Maitane” — and sailed over goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher’s shoulder for an own goal.
The own goal tied the NWSL record for most goals conceded in a single season at 54, a mark Chicago set last season. The Stars still have six matches remaining.
Naeher kept Portland (11-7-6) out of the net for the remainder of the match after Chicago (5-17-2) allowed 12 goals combined in its previous two matches, a 6-0 loss to the North Carolina Courage and a 6-1 loss to the Denver Summit.
