The invention provides a method of forming porous polyurethane polishing pad that includes feeding liquid polyurethane onto a web sheet with a doctor blade while back tensioning the web. Coagulating liquid polyurethane onto the web sheet forms a two-layer substrate. The two-layer substrate has a porous matrix wherein the porous matrix has large pores extending upward from a base surface and open to an upper surface. Spring-arm sections connect lower and upper sections of the large pores.