The top-seeded North Carolina Courage and the second-seeded Portland Thorns will go head-to-head Saturday in the National Women’s Soccer League Championship final at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
After surviving an exciting regular season and semifinals, both teams will play for all the marbles on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, Lifetime). Before the teams take the pitch and fight to lift the trophy, here is an in-depth look at each of the teams.
.@TheNCCourage and @ThornsFC are heading to Orlando.#NWSLChampionship | #NCvPOR
? 10/14, 4:30 ET
? @lifetimetv
? https://t.co/3lghNVCKVu pic.twitter.com/Kb2TDGxX3W— NWSL (@NWSL) October 9, 2017
A look at the teams
North Carolina is still mostly made up of the team that won the title last year as the Western New York Flash, who then moved following their championship season to Cary, North Carolina and rebranded as the Courage. The Courage finished the season hot, going 7-2-1 in their final 10 matches, clinching the NWSL Shield and a home game in the semifinal round.
The Thorns have been here before, winning the 2013 title in the NWSL’s inaugural campaign. Portland ended the season going 8-1-1 in their final 10 games, aided by a four-game winning streak, and going unbeaten in their final six matches.
Top players to watch
North Carolina
North Carolina is led by NWSL Best XI Second Team selection Katelyn Rowland, who recorded eight shutouts in goal for the Courage. NC is led on the back line by NWSL Best XI selection and USWNT defender Abby Dahlkemper as well as recent USWNT callup Taylor Smith.
The Courage midfield consists of USWNT member Sam Mewis and McCall Zerboni, both NWSL Best XI First Team picks. NC is led on offense by last season’s MVP Lynn Williams, who led the team with 9 goals and added 5 assists. BYU product Ashley Hatch scored 7 goals and registered an assist in her debut season as well.
Portland
Portland is led by NWSL Best XI First Team goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, who set the new league record for shutouts in a season with 11. The team’s back line defense is led by Emily Menges and USWNT regular Megan Klingenberg, both of whom were selected to the NWSL Bext XI Second Team.
The midfield is anchored by Linsdey Horan and Allie Long, teammates with the USWNT. The Portland attack is led by Canadian legend Christine Sinclair, who netted a team leading eight goals.
Last time out (NWSL Semifinals)
North Carolina
In what was a tight defensive battle, North Carolina won at home courtesy of an 89th minute goal by Denise O’Sullivan against the Chicago Red Stars, sending the team to the final.
Portland
Portland cruised at home in its semifinal matchup with Alex Morgan and the Orlando Pride, winning 4-1, and avenging last season’s loss at home in the semifinal to WNY.
The Thorns started off the game firing on all cylinders, scoring in the 12th minute courtesy of an Amandine Henry goal assisted by Meghan Klingenberg. They scored quickly again in the 15th minute, as Emily Sonnet headed the ball into the back of the net off a Tobin Heath cross.
After an Orlando goal ten minutes later, Portland iced the game as Haley Raso beat the keeper with her right foot in the 71st minute. The Thorns added their fourth goal in the 82nd minute from Christine Sinclair, the team’s leading goal scorer.
Previous matchups
These two teams played each other twice during the regular season, with each team winning 1-0 on their home fields, respectably. Portland’s win in the team’s second matchup, propelled them to the hot streak they are still currently on after they won only one of their five matches before the win over NC.
Prediction
The Thorns will come out victorious and win their second title. It will be a close contest, but the play of Goalkeeper of the Year candidate Adrianna Franch and the Portland back line will be the difference. The Thorns forward movement will get at least two goals. North Carolina will fight and get a goal, but will mostly be shut down by the Thorns defense.
Portland 2, North Carolina 1
Follow Fan Insider on Facebook and on Twitter.
BYU’s Cosmo The Cougar Goes Viral, Social Media Reacts To Epic Dance With Cougarettes
