The Portland Thorns have a clinched a spot in the NWSL playoffs after a 2-1 win against the woeful Sky Blue FC on Wednesday night. It is the third straight year the Thorns have reached the NWSL postseason.

With goals from Christine Sinclair and Tobin Heath, the Thorns (10-6-6, 36 points) cruised past New Jersey's Sky Blue at Providence Park in front of 17,986 fans. With the loss, Sky Blue (0-15-5, 5 points) is now winless in 20 games this regular season.

"It's the job description of this club for players and coaches to get to the playoffs and this is the most competitive NWSL playoff race we've seen to date," Thorns coach Mark Parsons said. "There's been a lot of challenges but we're out the other side and we're climbing."

The Thorns struck early on a penalty kick. In the 12th minute, Lindsey Horan was taken down by Sky Blue defender Erica Skroski just barely inside the box. The ref pointed to the spot and Sinclair scored with a calm, cool finish that had goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan frozen in place.

The goal was Sinclair's 40th of her NWSL career and she is the third NWSL player to reach that milestone.

Heath doubled the Thorns lead in the second half on a long-range free kick. In the 54th minute, Heath launched a ball into the box that bypassed everyone and bounced into Sky Blue's goal.

"All we said going into this game was we were going to win our individual battles and we can say we did that, at least for the majority of the game," defender Emily Menges said. "If we stick to our basic principles, we can be such a good team."

Sky Blue pulled a goal back in the 85th minute when Sarah Killion pounced on a loose ball and launched it past Adrianna Franch. It was Killion's first goal of the season.

Sky Blue has four matches left this season, but appear to be perilously close to becoming the first NWSL team to record zero wins in a season.

"It's been really difficult," Carli Lloyd said. "After this season is over, every single player on this team needs to look themselves in the mirror and ask themselves if they've done everything possible to be at their best. Have they shown good character? Have they done extra when needed? Have they looked within themselves to see what they can do better?"

"I'm going to be the type of person that powers through no matter what -- there's nothing else you can do but give it your all."

While the Thorns have clinched a playoff spot, a home playoff seed is still on the line, although the Seattle Reign (11-7-4, 40 points) have the inside edge.

"I don't ever feel the pressure's not on our back," Horan said. "Coming from last season, we were the champions, and we want to come out and do something different this season and get better. It has been a rocky season for us -- we've had so many ups and downs, so many big injuries. We're still trying to fight. It's a relief in a way, but we want to keep going."

Parsons added: "To clinch is great and we're going to chase a home playoff as long as it's available."

The Thorns have just two matches left in this regular season. Up next, the Thorns face the Spirit in Washington on Saturday. They return home to close out the regular season against rival Seattle Reign on Sept. 7.

-- Caitlin Murray, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive

Twitter: @caitlinmurr