Alex Morgan made her much-anticipated first appearance for the Portland Thorns since the 2015 Women's World Cup on Saturday in New Jersey.
And she had a chance to tie the game late.
But her penalty kick was saved — along with her follow-up shot off its rebound — squandering the Thorns' best chance to score in the 1-0 loss at Sky Blue FC.
Portland forward Christine Sinclair drew the foul in the box when Sky Blue goalkeeper Brittany Cameron came out to challenge and they collided. Sinclair had to be helped off the field, not putting any weight on her left leg.
"It doesn't look good," Thorns coach Paul Riley said after the match. "I think it's a bad injury. I think she knows it is, too. She said she heard a pop."
Morgan came on in the 60th minute, and the 5,547 fans at sold-out Yurcak Field in Piscataway cheered the U.S. Women's National Team star.
After the miss, Riley said Morgan was disappointed. "She apologized to the team."
Cameron was key for Sky Blue, coming off her line, cutting angles and on the penalty kick, diving right, recovering, then diving left to rob Morgan on both chances.
The frame of the goal came into play as well, especially in the 67th minute, when Sinclair ripped a shot Cameron stopped. Sinclair fired the rebound up and the ball hit the cross bar, then the post without crossing the plane of the goal.
Tobin Heath's shot in the 79th minute also banged off the crossbar.
Sky Blue scored in the 19th minute when Nadia Nadim beat Thorns goalkeeper Nadine Angerer with a close-in shot off a pass from Kelley O'Hara in a 2-on-1 break.
The Thorns (6-8-4, 22 points) are in fifth place in the standings after the game went final, and only the top four teams in the National Women's Soccer League reach the postseason.
Despite the win, Sky Blue (5-7-6, 21 points) were eliminated from playoff contention, along with the Houston Dash, based on results further up the table.
The Thorns' playoff chances, however faint, remain, as they are six points back of FC Kansas City, the Chicago Red Stars and the Washington Spirit with two games remaining.
Portland plays host to Washington Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Providence Park before closing the regular season at the Western New York Flash on Sept. 4.
