Canadian Victoria Pickett leads Kansas City to historic NWSL win
Barrie Ont., native celebrates 1st goal to deliver team's 1st franchise victory
Canadian Victoria Pickett celebrated two historic firsts as Kansas City defeated the OL Reign 1-0 in NWSL soccer action on Saturday.
Pickett scored her first goal in the league in the 73rd minute to send the record-home crowd to its feet as KC managed to hold on for its first franchise victory in their 14th game of the season.
WATCH: Canada's Victoria Pickett leads NWSL's Kansas City franchise to 1st victory:
Pickett, 25, is playing in her inaugural NWSL season - just like her team. The Barrie, Ont. native was drafted 15th overall by Kansas City in the NWSL draft on January.
Following a scoreless first half, the Canadian midfielder finally broke the deadlock after Kansas City earned a free kick within range of the OL Reign goal.
KC worked a clever set-piece as the ball fell to Pickett, following a deflection. Alone in the box against the keeper, Pickett drilled the ball into the low left corner—sending her team and the crowd into a frenzy.
Pickett, while not a member of Canada's Olympic winning team, has represented the red and white at the 2012 FIFA U17 World Cup and the 2014 FIFA U14 World Cup.
📼 WOSO Win Baby 📼<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KCvRGN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KCvRGN</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Nationwide?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nationwide</a> <a href="https://t.co/poWrAdyoLc">pic.twitter.com/poWrAdyoLc</a>
—@NWSLThorns extend unbeaten streak
Also on Saturday, the Portland Thorns extended their unbeaten streak to seven games with a 1-1 draw against the Orlando Pride.
Jodie Taylor opened the scoring with a well-placed header to give the Pride the early lead. Portland responded with a header of its own as Simone Charley knocked in the equalizer in the 78th minute.
Portland, which hasn't lost a match in nearly two months, leads the league with 19 points in 14 games.
