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NC Courage Beat Portland Thorns FC, Win First-Ever NWSL Championship

The North Carolina Courage defeated Portland Thorns FC 3-0 to win the 2018 National Women's Soccer League championship on Saturday.

The top-seeded Courage captured their first-ever NWSL title, defeating second-seeded Portland, the reigning champions, in a rematch of last year's final.

Midfielder Débora "Debinha" Cristiane de Oliveira poached forward Lynn Williams's cross that crashed off the frame, heading it through the net for the game's opening score in the 13th minute.

Forward Jessica McDonald snuck free behind the Portland defense and headed home defender Jaelene Hinkle's cross to give the Courage a two-goal advantage in the 40th minute.