NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Defeat Olympique Lyon 1-0 to Win Women's International Champions Cup

Published on August 22, 2021 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC received a late goal from Morgan Weaver to secure a 1-0 win over Olympique Lyon in the 2021 Women's International Champions Cup final at Providence Park on Saturday night. Weaver tallied the game-winning goal in the 87th minute to help Portland lift its second trophy in 2021.

Adding Titles

Thorns FC secured its second trophy in 2021 with their win over Lyon. Portland won the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup on May 8 at Providence Park, securing the title with a win over NJ/NY Gotham FC in penalty kicks. Portland is the second U.S. club team to win the Women's ICC tournament after the North Carolina Courage won the inaugural title in 2018. Since its inaugural campaign in 2013, Portland has won a total of six trophies: NWSL Championship (2013, 2017), NWSL Shield (2016), NWSL Fall Series (2020), NWSL Challenge Cup (2021) and Women's ICC (2021).

Depth Highlighted

Portland's depth was on display in the tournament as 23 players featured across the two tournament games for Thorns FC. Sophia Smith, Madison Pogarch, Natalia Kuikka, Rocky Rodríguez, Marissa Everett and Olivia Moultrie all started both games for Portland in the tournament. Kuikka and Moultrie scored their first goals with the club. Moultrie also added an assist. Christen Westphal recorded her second assist across all competitions for Portland, setting up Morgan Weaver's game-winning goal. Weaver returned to the field for the first time since July 18, and scored her third goal across all competitions.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR - Morgan Weaver (Christen Westphal), 87th minute: Westphal played a pinpoint ball from the far right wing to Weaver making a run to the edge of the box. Weaver controlled the ball near right side of the six-yard box, slotting the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle.

Notes:

Thorns FC earned their sixth trophy in club history, and their second trophy in 2021.

Portland is the second U.S. club team to win the Women's ICC tournament.

Tonight's match was the first time Thorns FC have faced a European team in club history.

Portland is 13-3-5 across all competitions in 2021, and 8-1-3 at Providence Park.

Morgan Weaver was named player of the match.

Natalia Kuikka was named player of the tournament.

Weaver's goal was her third across all competitions. Two of her three goals have come in the NWSL Challenge Cup.

Christen Westphal tallied her second career assist for Thorns FC, with her first occurring during the 2021 Challenge Cup.

Thorns FC have registered twelve clean sheets across all competitions in 2021.

Bella Bixby recorded her eighth career shutout across all competitions.

Becky Sauerbrunn made her first start since returning from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Horan, and Christine Sinclair all made their first appearances since returning from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as second half substitutes.

Next Game

Thorns FC return to NWSL play, hosting NJ/NY Gotham FC on Wednesday, Aug. 25, at Providence Park. Wednesday's match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) and will feature a national broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

Portland Thorns FC vs. Olympique Lyon - 2021 Women's International Champions Cup final

Aug. 21, 2021 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Olympique Lyon 0 0 0

Portland Thorns FC 0 1 1

Scoring Summary:

POR: Weaver (Westphal), 87

Misconduct Summary:

LYON: Malard (caution), 12

POR: Rodríguez (caution), 26

LYON: van de Donk (caution), 77

Lineups:

POR: GK Bixby, D Kuikka, D Sauerbrunn (Westphal, 46), D Menges©, D Klingenberg, M Rodríguez, M Salem (Weaver, 82), M Moultrie (Dunn, 55), M Everett (Horan, 46), F Pogarch (Sinclair, 55), F Smith

Substitutes Not Used: GK Hogan, D Nally, D Betfort, M Strom-Okimoto, M Porter

TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Smith, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Smith, 1); FOULS: 6 (Rodríguez, 2); OFFSIDES: 8; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 6

LYON: GK Endler, D Morroni, D Renard©, D Sylla (Egurrola, 64), D Cayman, M Henry, M Majri, M Malard (Laurent, 64), M D. van de Donk, M Cascarino (Bacha, 76), F Bruun (Macario, 46)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Holmgren, GK Paljevic, D Sombath, D Tapia, M Baga, M Bahlouli, M Charbonnier, M Julini, F Becho

TOTAL SHOTS: 17 (Majri, Cascarino, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Majri, Laurent, 2); FOULS: 14 (three players tied, 3); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 4

Referee: Laura Rodriguez

Assistant Referees: Alicia Messer, CJ Koll

4th Official: Andrew Marihart

Weather: Partly cloudy, 73 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics

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