Courage outlast Thorns in first match of 2020 Challenge Cup

Sam Mewis &
Emily Menges fight for the header

Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman, UT – A beautiful day to get back to soccer with the first match of the 2020 Utah Challenge Cup for the NWSL with the Portland Thorns taking on the North Carolina Courage. Both teams showed solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and support for racial equality by taking a knee before the match and wearing shirts reading Black Lives Matter.

The reigning NWSL champion Courage were the first to strike midway through the second half with a goal from Debinha in the 75th minute of play. Portland responded quickly with a shot from Simone Charley in the 80th minute to level the match. The scoreline remained tied until the forth minute of extra time with a header from Lynn Williams to secure the win for North Carolina.



Lynn Williams puts the winning goal in the net.

Goals by Period                1  2  F
Portland Thorns                  0  1  1
North Carolina Courage    0  2  2

Scoring Summary:
NCC – Debinha – 75′
PFC – Simone Charley – 80′
NCC – Lynn Williams – 90’+4′

Misconduct Summary:

Lineups:

Portland Thorns: Bella Bixby; Becky Sauerbraun; Emily Menges; Kelli Hubly (Christine Westphall, 71’); Marissa Everett (Simone Charley, 54’); Meghan Klingenberg (Madison Pogarch, 80’); Angela Salem (Celeste Bourielle, 46’); Rocry Reoinciz; Lindsay Horan; Tyler Lussi (Morgan Weaver, 54’); Christine Sinclair

Substitutes Not Used: Gabby Seiler; Emily Ogle; Meagan Nally; Anika Rodriguez; Blitt Eckerstrom; Autumn Smithers

North Carolina Courage: Steph Labbe; Abby Erceg; Abby Dahlkemper; Jae Daniels; Addi Merrick (Cary Roccaro, 58’); Debinha; Sam Mewis; Crystal Dunn (Lauren Milliet, 65’); Denise O’Sullivan; Lynn Williams; Kristen Hamilton (Ally Watt, 58’) (Hailie Mace, 73’)

Substitutes Not Used: Sam Murphy; Katelyn Rowland; Lindsay Agnew; Hailey Harbison; Kaleigh Kurtz; Sinclaire Miramontez; Lynn Williams; Merry Speck; Kenzie Meehan

Next up for Utah Challenge Cup 2020

Chicago Red Stars vs Washington Spirit

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