Portland Thorns FC continued their impressive start to the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Reign FC on Saturday. The Thorns have now gone unbeaten in their first three matches of the tournament, and are currently sitting atop the standings with nine points.
The match was a tightly contested affair, with both sides creating chances but neither able to find the back of the net. Portland was able to break the deadlock in the 67th minute, when forward Simone Charley scored off a rebound from a shot by midfielder Rocky Rodríguez. The goal was enough to give the Thorns the win, and keep them unbeaten in the tournament.
The victory was a testament to the Thorns’ defensive strength, as they were able to keep Reign FC from scoring despite creating several chances. Goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom was instrumental in the win, making several crucial saves throughout the match. The Thorns also had a strong performance from their midfield, as they were able to control possession and create chances for their forwards.
The Thorns’ impressive start to the tournament has been a welcome sight for fans of the team, who have been eagerly awaiting their return to competitive play. The team has not played a competitive match since 2019, and the Challenge Cup has been a great opportunity for them to get back into form.
The Thorns will look to continue their unbeaten run when they take on OL Reign in their next match. If they can come away with another victory, they will be in a great position to make a deep run in the tournament. With their strong defense and creative midfield, Portland looks poised to make some noise in the NWSL Challenge Cup.
