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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Fall 2-1 to North Carolina Courage in Opening Match of 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup

June 27, 2020 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


HERRIMAN, Utah - Playing in the opening match of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret, Portland Thorns FC conceded a late goal, falling 2-1 to the North Carolina Courage at Zion Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Simone Charley scored her first career goal for Thorns FC in the match.

2020 NWSL Challenge Cup

The match against North Carolina, which aired on CBS, marked the first time professional women's club soccer was seen live on a national broadcast network in the United States. With three matches remaining for the club in the preliminary round, Portland will face the Chicago Red Stars in its second match on July 1 at 9:30 a.m. (Pacific) on CBS All Access. To view Thorns FC's full 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup schedule, click here.

Thorns FC Debuts & Starts

Five players made their debut for Thorns FC in the match against North Carolina. Bella Bixby, Rocky Rodríguez and Becky Sauerbrunn each made their first appearance and starts for Thorns FC. Marissa Everett made her first professional start, while Christen Westphal made her first appearance for the club. Notably, rookie Morgan Weaver made her professional debut in the match, logging 36 minutes as a second-half substitute.

Goal-Scoring Plays

NCC - Debinha (Hailie Mace), 75th minute: Latching onto a long pass down the right flank, Hailie Mace delivered a cross into the six-yard box that Debinha deposited into the back of the net with her head.

POR - Simone Charley, 80th minute: Westphal sent a lofted cross into the box for Lindsey Horan, whose strong header was tipped off the crossbar by North Carolina goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé. The ensuing rebound fell inside the six-yard box to Charley and she converted near the goal line.

POR - Lynn Williams (Sam Mewis), 90+3 minute: Mewis raced down the right wing and whipped a cross into the six-yard box for Williams, who headed the ball into the back of the net at the near post.

Notes:

Charley, who entered the match as a second-half substitute, scored her first career goal for Thorns FC in the 80th minute.

Five players made their debut for Thorns FC with Bella Bixby, Rocky Rodríguez, Becky Sauerbrunn, Morgan Weaver and Christen Westphal all made their Thorns FC debuts in the match.

Bixby, who registered four saves against the Courage, is the second native Oregonian to appear in a match for Portland, joining Kendall Johnson (2015-17).

Bixby is the third Oregon State player to appear in a match for Thorns FC along with Courtney Wetzel (2013) and Jodie Taylor (2015).

Marissa Everett made her first professional start in the match, playing 45 minutes.

Horan finished the match tied for a game-high seven tackles.

Weaver made her professional debut, logging 36 minutes as a second-half substitute.

Westphal was tied for a game-high three chances created in 18 minutes of action as a second-half substitute.

Next Game

Thorns FC face off against the Chicago Red Stars on Wednesday, July 1, at Zions Bank Stadium; kickoff is set for 9:30 a.m. (Pacific) and features a live stream available on CBS All Access.

Portland Thorns FC vs. North Carolina Courage - 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup

June 27, 2020 - Zions Bank Stadium (Herriman, Utah)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

North Carolina Courage 0 2 2

Portland Thorns FC 0 1 1

Scoring Summary:

NCC: Debinha (Mace), 75

POR: Charley, 80

NCC: L. Williams (Mewis), 90+3

Misconduct Summary:

None

Lineups:

POR: GK Bixby, D Hubly (Westphal, 73), D Menges, D Sauerbrunn, D Klingenberg (Pogarch, 80), M Salem (Boureille, 45), M R. Rodríguez, M Horan, M Sinclair ©, F Lussi (Weaver, 54), F Everett (Charley, 54)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Eckerstrom, D Nally, D Smithers, M Ogle, M Seiler, F A. Rodriguez

TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Charley, Weaver, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Three players tied, 1); FOULS: 8 (Boureille, 3); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 4

NCC: GK Labbe, D Daniels, D Erceg, D Dahlkemper, D Merrick (Roccaro, 57), M Debinha, M Mewis, M O'Sullivan, M Dunn (Milliet, 65), F L. Williams, F Hamilton (Watt, 58, Mace 74)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Murphy, GK Rowland, D Kurtz, D R. Williams, M Speck, F Meehan

TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Williams, 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Williams, 3); FOULS: 7 (Hamilton, O'Sullivan, 2); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 13; SAVES: 2

Referee: Lukasz Szpala

Assistant Referees: Brooke Mayo, Salma Perez

4th Official: Danielle Chesky

Weather: Sunny, 80 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

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