Portland Thorns beat NC Courage 1-0 to lock in a playoff spot
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Portland Thorns beat the North Carolina Courage 1-0 at home. Marie Müller scored the only goal in the 60th minute. The win locked up an NWSL playoff spot for Portland.
- The Courage stay in ninth place with 42 points. They have now lost five of their last six matches. Their playoff hopes took a big hit in Portland.
- Portland sits sixth with 47 points after the win. The Thorns play away at Houston Dash next. The Courage host Denver Summit on Decision Day, November 1.
The Portland Thorns beat the North Carolina Courage 1-0 on October 23. The win gave Portland a playoff spot. Marie Müller scored the only goal of the game.
What happened
The game took place at Providence Park in Portland. It started at 7 PM local time on Friday night. The home crowd knew the stakes from the first whistle.
Before the game, Stumptown Footy put it plainly: if Portland won, they were in. The Thorns controlled their own playoff fate. One win would be enough to book a postseason place.
The first half ended with no goals. Both teams made few clear chances in the opening 45 minutes. The Courage worked hard in midfield to keep things tight.
The goal came in the 60th minute. Marie Müller found the net for the Thorns, according to SoccerZZ. That one strike decided the game on a tense night.
The Courage pushed hard for an equalizer after going behind. They could not break through Portland's defense. The final whistle confirmed a 1-0 home win.
The result moved the Thorns to 47 points in sixth place. The Courage stayed on 42 points in ninth. Portland had won only one of its previous five games.
The game also drew the attention of women's soccer fans everywhere.
Why it matters
For Portland, the win ends a nervous stretch. Stumptown Footy noted only one win in the last five games. They got the job done when it mattered most.
Portland played without star striker Sophia Wilson. She missed the last game of a two-match ban. The ban followed her red card against the Boston Legacy before the international break.
Pietra Tordin stepped up again for the Thorns this season. She has eight goals and nine assists so far. She is closing in on the first 10-goal, 10-assist season in NWSL history.
The loss hurts the Courage badly. They entered the weekend ninth with 42 points. They trailed seventh-place Portland by two points at kickoff.
A win would have set up a win-and-in scenario against Denver Summit. The club said as much before the trip. Instead, the Courage left Portland empty-handed.
The Courage also lost 2-1 to San Diego Wave the week before. That makes five defeats in their last six games. Their form is sliding at the worst possible time.
North Carolina still has the league's top goalscorer. Ashley Sanchez scored 20 goals this season. That total tied the NWSL single-season record.
The two clubs share a long playoff history. Their past meetings helped define the NWSL's early competitive years. Friday added another tense chapter to that rivalry.
All-time, the Courage lead the regular-season series with eight wins to five. There have been seven draws between them. Portland closed that gap a little on Friday night.
What happens next
Portland travels to face the Houston Dash next. They head there with a playoff place already secured. The final weekend is now about building momentum.
The Courage return home for Decision Day. They host Denver Summit on Sunday, November 1. The game kicks off at 5 PM ET at WakeMed Soccer Park.
They must win to keep any playoff hope alive. They will also need other results to go their way. There is no more room for dropped points.
Seattle Reign and Utah Royals also played on Friday night. They sat one and four points above the Courage entering the weekend. Friday's outcomes shape the race too.
The Rugby League World Cup is producing its own tight race this weekend. Everything is on the line for the teams still standing.
Search interest in the NWSL game spiked after the final whistle. Fans wanted to know where both teams stand now. The picture is clear: Portland is in, and Carolina faces a mountain.
Another huge night in sports is coming too. Read our Grizzlies vs Warriors game guide for everything you need to know.
The Thorns can now plan for the playoffs with confidence. The Courage must fight for their season in one final home game. November 1 will decide everything for them.
It is the kind of pressure that defines careers.
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