Portland Thorns FC are the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup (WICC) champions. They defeated French side Lyon, 1-0, on a dramatic goal by forward Morgan Weaver in the 87th minute. The moment and the trophy punctuated an exciting two nights of WICC action in the Rose City.
On Wednesday, the Thorns defeated the Houston Dash in a thrilling penalty kick shootout to set up Saturday’s anticipated title match between the Thorns and Lyon, who’ve won the UEFA Champions League an impressive seven times.
Here is a special WICC edition of By The Numbers as we look back on the tournament.
396
During the 2021 Challenge Cup, defender Becky Sauerbrunn said, “We set goals for this team for the season. One of those goals is let’s win everything.” And the Thorns have checked another competition off the list.
In fact, it’s been 396 days since they have left a competition without raising hardware. Since being knocked out of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup semifinal last July, Mark Parsons’ squad has claimed the 2020 NWSL Fall Series, the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup and now the 2021 WICC.
3
Morgan Weaver. Another memorable moment for her on an elevated stage. Let’s take a look at her three professional goals to date: 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup – game winner in the quarterfinal against North Carolina … 2021 Challenge Cup – game winner against Chicago in group play … and now the game-winner in the WICC title game.
To cap it off, she also scored the decisive PK in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup final shoot out, too. Talk about clutch.
23
A storyline all season long: depth. And it was on full display once again during the two games of the WICC as the Thorns utilized 23 different players.
Notably, goalkeeper Shelby Hogan made her professional debut, while defender Meghan Nally and midfielder Raisa Strom-Okimoto made their first starts at Providence Park, and 2021 NWSL Draft pick Hannah Betfort saw her first minutes at home.
MORE ON THE WICC CHAMPIONSHIP WIN
- WATCH | Final whistle of WICC final as Thorns lift another trophy
- RECAP | Thorns claim 2021 WICC on game-winner by Morgan Weaver
- POSTGAME | Kuikka on being named WICC Player of the Tournament
- REACTION | Weaver reflects on game-winner, Thorns winning WICC
- POSTGAME | Parsons breaks down WICC win vs. Lyon
- REACTION | Bixby on challenges vs. Lyon, winning WICC title in PDX
