PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Thorns FC should have won Saturday’s game three times over, but all that matters now is the final result. After dominating the first half and being the more dangerous team at the beginning and end of the second, this year’s 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup winners still needed a penalty-kick shootout to claim silverware. Ultimately, Portland claimed their second trophy in seven months, defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC 6-5 on penalties after Saturday's 1-1 draw.
"I'm really proud of our group that we found a way to get it done in penalties," Thorns head coach Mark Parsons said after the match.