This weekend, the North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns returned to league action after a quick two-week break. Both sides were going for their second victory in a row in a rematch of last year’s NWSL championship.
Both were able to create chances early but it would take until the 26th minute, when Margaret Purce found the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, to break the deadlock. The goal was Purce’s third in as many matches.
North Carolina fought back but were unable to grab an equalizer before half-time.