The top-of-the-table Portland Thorns hosted second-place North Carolina Courage in what could be the most important match of the season. With more than enough to play for, the visiting Courage put in the performance of the year in a resounding 6-0 victory to move above the Thorns.
It took the defending champions 15 minutes to get on the board when Debinha fired home the first of many, coming from a Crystal Dunn assist. Ten minutes later, Paul Riley’s side was up 3-0 thanks to two Lynn Williams goals.
Three would be all for the first half, but Dunn quickly got her goal in the second half before Williams completed her hat-trick.