PORTLAND, Ore. – Forward Morgan Weaver delivered the decisive goal with just three minutes left in regulation as the Portland Thorns claimed the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup championship, defeating French club Olympique Lyonnais, 1-0, at Providence Park on Saturday night.
In his pre-game press conference, Portland head coach Mark Parsons described the matchup between the two clubs as a one between heavyweights. And tonight's WICC title match lived up to that billing.
Both clubs had had their chances, their moments to put a mark on the match. After knocking on the door all evening, the Thorns finally broke through late.
Making her return from injury, Weaver entered the match as a second-half sub in the 82nd minute, and just five minutes later scored the game-winning goal with a dramatic shot that rolled teasingly along the goal line before crossing over just before the ball hit the far left post.
The win secured the club’s first WICC championship, and continues a successful run for the club having won a third straight competition – 2020 NWSL Fall Series, 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup and now the WICC crown.
Portland has been successful on the defensive side of the field all NWSL campaign, leading the league in shutouts and fewest goals allowed. That run of form was on display again in the WICC final, keeping Lyon – a seven-time UEFA Champions League winner – off the scoreboard.
The Thorns defense held Lyon to just six shots on goal, with goalkeeper Bella Bixby making six saves in another clean sheet.
In the first match of the doubleheader Saturday at Providence Park, FC Barcelona defeated the Houston Dash, 3-2, in the WICC’s third-place match.
The Thorns return to NWSL regular-season action on Wednesday, Aug. 25, as they play host to NJ/NY Gotham FC at Providence Park, kickoff is 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).
Goal-Scoring Play
87' (POR) – Weaver collected a long pass up field by defender Christen Westphal. With a clever touch, Weaver worked around her defender and, from a tight angle, tucked a shot just inside the far post.
Notes:
- Thorns FC earned their sixth trophy in club history, and their second trophy in 2021.
- Portland is the second U.S. club team to win the Women’s ICC tournament.
- Tonight’s match was the first time Thorns FC have faced a European team in club history.
- Portland is 13-3-5 across all competitions in 2021, and 8-1-3 at Providence Park.
- Morgan Weaver was named player of the match.
- Natalia Kuikka was named player of the tournament.
- Weaver’s goal was her third across all competitions. Two of her three goals have come in the NWSL Challenge Cup.
- Christen Westphal tallied her second career assist for Thorns FC, with her first occurring during the 2021 Challenge Cup.
- Thorns FC have registered 12 clean sheets across all competitions in 2021.
- Bella Bixby recorded her eighth career shutout across all competitions.
- Becky Sauerbrunn made her first start since returning from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
- Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Horan, and Christine Sinclair all made their first appearances since returning from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as second half substitutes.
Portland Thorns FC vs. Olympique Lyon – 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup final
Aug. 21, 2021 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Scoring Summary:
POR: Weaver (Westphal), 87
Misconduct Summary:
LYON: Malard (caution), 12
POR: Rodríguez (caution), 26
LYON: van de Donk (caution), 77
Lineups:
POR: GK Bixby, D Kuikka, D Sauerbrunn (Westphal, 46), D Menges©, D Klingenberg, M Rodríguez, M Salem (Weaver, 82), M Moultrie (Dunn, 55), M Everett (Horan, 46), F Pogarch (Sinclair, 55), F Smith
Substitutes Not Used: GK Hogan, D Nally, D Betfort, M Strom-Okimoto, M Porter
TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Smith, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Smith, 1); FOULS: 6 (Rodríguez, 2); OFFSIDES: 8; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 6
LYON: GK Endler, D Morroni, D Renard©, D Sylla (Egurrola, 64), D Cayman, M Henry, M Majri, M Malard (Laurent, 64), M D. van de Donk, M Cascarino (Bacha, 76), F Bruun (Macario, 46)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Holmgren, GK Paljevic, D Sombath, D Tapia, M Baga, M Bahlouli, M Charbonnier, M Julini, F Becho
TOTAL SHOTS: 17 (Majri, Cascarino, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Majri, Laurent, 2); FOULS: 14 (three players tied, 3); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 4
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Assistant Referees: Alicia Messer, CJ Koll
4th Official: Andrew Marihart
Weather: Partly cloudy, 73 degrees
MORE ON THE WICC CHAMPIONSHIP WIN
- WATCH | Final whistle of WICC final as Thorns lift another trophy
- BY THE NUMBERS | A fun, memorable WICC tourney in the Rose City
- 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
