The NWSL is back, and it didn't take long for #NWSLAfterDark to be activated thanks to Portland and Kansas City.
While the Thorns walked away with a 2-1 victory in the NWSL Challenge Cup opener after a rough 2020 season, they could be without two players and their head coach for future matches after three red cards were handed to Portland and one to a Kansas City player.
There has never been an NWSL game with more than two red cards, making Friday’s chaotic ending historic.
Portland's Simone Charley received a straight red card for a hard, late tackle after receiving a yellow earlier in the match.