Texas Tech University Athletics
Photo by: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Beckie returns with two goals in NWSL season opener
March 16, 2024 | Women's Soccer
Janine Beckie returned from an ACL injury to score two goals Saturday for the Portland Thorns
LUBBOCK, Texas – Janine Beckie returned to competitive soccer with a pair of goals Saturday, finding the back of the net in both the 71st minute and then again in stoppage time in the season opener of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Beckie, who was back on the pitch for the first time since suffering an ACL injury exactly one year and one day ago, almost played spoiler in the first match inside CPKC Stadium as her Portland Thorns nearly rallied from a 3-0 deficit before falling to host Kansas City Current, 5-4.
"There's not many times where you score four goals and don't win a game so it's a bit frustrating in that respect," Beckie said to reporters following the match. "But I'm just really proud to be back on the field. When you have this type of team to come back to, it definitely is not hard to be motivated. It's been a long year. I just want to be on the field doing my job for the team. Win or lose, I'm proud of the way we fought back today. We'll have to take that into next week and build on it."
Beckie entered the game at halftime, her first regular-season minutes with the Thorns after suffering the knee injury during a preseason match a year ago. The injury cost her the entirety of the 2023 NWSL season as well as that summer's Women's World Cup for Canada.
Beckie pulled the Thorns to a 3-2 deficit with her first goal in the 71st minute, capitalizing on a deflection inside the box from a corner kick. Her second goal made headlines, however, as she fired a liner from well outside the box to the upper left corner of the net to again pull Portland to a one-goal deficit.
Her performance capped a standout day in Kansas City for Texas Tech alumni as the Current, co-owned by Red Raider great Patrick Mahomes II and his wife Brittany, officially opened CPKC Stadium, the first U.S. stadium built exclusively for women's pro soccer. The $120 million facility attracted a sellout crowd of 11,500 fans for the nationally televised match on ABC.
The Mahomes were on hand for the Opening Day festivities, opening the match with a "K.C., baby" chant. The Current jumped out to an early 3-0 first half lead before a Sophia Smith goal for the Thorns just before halftime.
CPKC Stadium was recently announced as the future home to the Sprouts Farmers Market Big 12 Soccer Championship beginning with the 2024 season. It will mark the return of Big 12 soccer to the Kansas City market, which previously hosted the championship from 2013-19.
Beckie, who was back on the pitch for the first time since suffering an ACL injury exactly one year and one day ago, almost played spoiler in the first match inside CPKC Stadium as her Portland Thorns nearly rallied from a 3-0 deficit before falling to host Kansas City Current, 5-4.
"There's not many times where you score four goals and don't win a game so it's a bit frustrating in that respect," Beckie said to reporters following the match. "But I'm just really proud to be back on the field. When you have this type of team to come back to, it definitely is not hard to be motivated. It's been a long year. I just want to be on the field doing my job for the team. Win or lose, I'm proud of the way we fought back today. We'll have to take that into next week and build on it."
Beckie entered the game at halftime, her first regular-season minutes with the Thorns after suffering the knee injury during a preseason match a year ago. The injury cost her the entirety of the 2023 NWSL season as well as that summer's Women's World Cup for Canada.
Beckie pulled the Thorns to a 3-2 deficit with her first goal in the 71st minute, capitalizing on a deflection inside the box from a corner kick. Her second goal made headlines, however, as she fired a liner from well outside the box to the upper left corner of the net to again pull Portland to a one-goal deficit.
First game back ?
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) March 16, 2024
Scored once ?
Scored TWICE ?
Welcome back Janine Beckie!
pic.twitter.com/XyXQVDWg0z
Her performance capped a standout day in Kansas City for Texas Tech alumni as the Current, co-owned by Red Raider great Patrick Mahomes II and his wife Brittany, officially opened CPKC Stadium, the first U.S. stadium built exclusively for women's pro soccer. The $120 million facility attracted a sellout crowd of 11,500 fans for the nationally televised match on ABC.
The Mahomes were on hand for the Opening Day festivities, opening the match with a "K.C., baby" chant. The Current jumped out to an early 3-0 first half lead before a Sophia Smith goal for the Thorns just before halftime.
CPKC Stadium was recently announced as the future home to the Sprouts Farmers Market Big 12 Soccer Championship beginning with the 2024 season. It will mark the return of Big 12 soccer to the Kansas City market, which previously hosted the championship from 2013-19.
He's already made history on one football field, today @PatrickMahomes and @BrittanyLynne are making history with another.
— Texas Tech Red Raiders (@TechAthletics) March 16, 2024
They are co-owners of @thekccurrent, which is opening the first stadium purpose built for a women's sports team IN THE WORLD. pic.twitter.com/NuTZsqLSd3
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