The Blues just missed out on a spot in the final following a loss to Lyon on penalties following a 2-2 draw on Wednesday evening. However, Emma Hayes’ team were determined to end our US tour on a high, and did so by beating hosts Portland Thorns in a Saturday-night showdown.

Magdalena Eriksson led the team out once more at Providence Park, with five changes made since mid-week and three of our new signings in the starting line-up.

Chelsea made a positive start where we controlled the early exchanges. Just three minutes in, Eriksson chipped a stunning ball to Guro Reiten but she wasn’t able to get enough force to convert, sending it straight into the hands of Thorns keeper Abby Smith, who fumbled the save but was able to recover and clear the shot.

Portland countered and after 12 minutes Morgan Weaver crossed in from the right to Christine Sinclair, who was able to take a moment to compose herself and power the ball superbly, but it went wide. The Thorns continued to press and Erin Cuthbert savagely retrieved the ball in the hosts' box before a neat pass to Pernille Harder, who had space to spare, making strides up the pitch and finding Reiten with pinpoint precision. She quickly offloaded to Sophie Ingle, who took a powerful shot from the edge of the box but found the gloves of Smith.

Two thirds of the way through the first half, the pressure continued with a pair of opportunities presented to Sam Kerr. Smith came out to meet Kerr to halt the first attempt, while the No20’s second skimmed the left of the posts.

A series of clever plays kept the pressure on the Thorns just before half-time. Eve Perisset stepped up to take a free-kick with Kerr in her sights, but the striker was not quite able to get a foot on the ball.

Portland’s Yazmeen Ryan charged up the field and was only stopped in her tracks by a late challenge from Cuthbert, earning her a yellow. Sam Coffey took a shot for Portland but the ball bounced kindly to Berger who relieved the pressure. One-minute of added time was played and the two teams went in equal at half time following a fairly even display.

With no changes for either side, the visitors were out of the gates quickly, setting the pace for the second half. Portland started to create chances in their offensive aggression, but mistakes crept in and Sinclair was reprimanded for a challenge on Millie Bright and received a yellow card.

In the 54th minute, a missed tackle led to a clear shooting opportunity for the Thorns, but a huge save from Berger kept the score equal. A trio of attacking substitutes followed for Portland with the introduction of the familiar face of former Manchester City forward Janine Beckie plus Sophia Smith and Rocky Rodriguez.

Chelsea were to be the first on the scoreboard with good work from Harder in the box that led to her shot being blocked, with Reiten powering through to blast home the opener. The momentum stayed with the Blues and a cross from the right by Perisset found Kerr, with her great headed effort rattling off the bar and bouncing into the hands of a relieved Smith.

Substitute Sophia Smith proved to be a real threat up front, going one-on-one with Berger, but the keeper stood tall to keep out Smith’s effort with a first-class save. The deflected effort landed to Sinclair, whose effort found Berger once more.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, Hayes brought on fresh legs with Bethany England and Niamh Charles coming into the game, followed by Maren Mjelde, Lauren James and Jess Carter.

James kept the ball well to diffuse the pressure while England’s trickery at the edge of the box allowed her to get a shot away on her left foot, only for it to go into the keeper's hands. The Blues held on for the final three-minutes of added time and secured the win, with Reiten awarded Player of the Match.

Lyon were eventual winners of the WICC tournament, running out 4-0 winners against Monterrey.

Next up, the Blues will play our final friendly of pre-season at Kingsmeadow, against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 28 August. Tickets are available to be purchased here.

Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Berger; Eriksson (c), Buchanan, Bright, Perisset (England 75); Ingle; Harder (Mjelde 81), Cuthbert, Reiten (Charles 75), Kaneryd (James 81); Kerr (Carter 90)

Portland Thorns (3-2-4-1): Smith; Klingenberg (McGrady 73), Sauerbrunn, Nally (Provenzano 73); Kuikka, Coffey; Sinclair (c) (Porter 78), Sugita (Rodriguez 62), Weaver, Ryan (Beckie 62); Betfort (Smith 62)

Referee: Alyssa Nichols

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