TACOMA, Wash. – Portland Thorns FC secured the Verizon Community Shield in the NWSL Fall Series with a 2-1 victory over OL Reign at Cheney Stadium on Saturday. Christine Sinclair scored a pair of penalty kicks to deliver the victory to Portland.
Sinclair finishes the Fall Series with six goals, which is three more than any other NWSL player in the competition. Along with the Fall Series title, Thorns FC secured a $25,000 grant for its community partner, Mimi's Tees.
MATCHCENTER: Stats
Match Moments
10' - SHOT (POR) - After Sophia Smith forced a turnover in Reign FC's end of the field, Smith found Lindsey Horan for a shot that was saved by the goalkeeper for a corner kick.
14' - POST (POR) - Smith was inches away from giving Portland the lead when her left-footed shot skidded off the outside of the post. Meghan Klingenberg delivered the pass between defenders to set up Smith.
27' - SAVE (POR) - After a scramble across the front of goal, Britt Eckerstrom was quick to close down a Reign player and blocked a close range shot.
43' - PENALTY KICK GOAL (POR) - After Simone Charley was fouled in the box, Sinclair gave Portland the lead when Reign goalkeeper dove the wrong way and the Canadian International calmly finished the penalty kick.
46' - GOAL (OLR) - Less than a minute into the first half, Amber Brooks tied the match after redirecting a long-range shot.
73' - PENALTY KICK GOAL (POR) - Sinclair notched the brace when she again fired home a penalty kick into the inside of the netting.
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Notes:
- With the win over OL Reign, Thorns FC claimed the 2020 Verizon Community Shield, their fourth trophy claimed in club history.
- Thorns FC finished undefeated (3-0-1, 10pts) in four NWSL Fall Series matches.
- Portland finished 2-0-1 in three matches against the OL Reign across all competitions in 2020.
- In 10 matches played across all competitions in 2020, Thorns FC finished the year with a 4-2-4 record.
- Christine Sinclair tallied a goal for a third consecutive match, improving her goal tally to six in four NWSL Fall Series matches.
- In 10 matches played across played competitions in 2020, Sinclair led the team with six goals scored.
- Sinclair is the first player to convert multiple penalties in an NWSL match (all competitions) since 2017.
- Sinclair has converted each of the last nine penalties she’s attempted in NWSL play (all competitions).
- In three matches played across all competitions against OL Reign in 2020, Sinclair tallied 5 goals.
- Thorns FC have had six different players (Simone Charley, Tyler Lussi, Angela Salem, Christine Sinclair, Rocky Rodríguez, Christen Westphal) play in every single match across all competitions in 2020.
- Britt Eckerstrom tallied three saves against OL Reign and improved to 4-1-1 across all competitions in 2020.
Portland Thorns FC vs. OL Reign
2020 NWSL Fall Series
Oct. 10, 2020 – Cheney Stadium (Tacoma, Wash.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
OL Reign 0 1 1
Portland Thorns FC 1 1 2
Scoring Summary:
POR: Sinclair (penalty kick), 43
OLR: Brooks (Cruz), 46
POR: Sinclair (penalty kick), 73
Misconduct Summary:
OLR: Long (caution), 40
OLR: Benstiti (caution), 72
OLR: Weatherholt (caution), 90+3
Lineups:
POR: GK Eckerstrom, D Westphal (Hubly, 86), D Menges, D Sauerbrunn, D Klingenberg, M Rodríguez (Ogle, 90+2), M Salem, M Horan, M Sinclair ©, F Charley (Lussi, 86), F Smith (Weaver, 75)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Angerer, D Pogarch, F Everett
TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Sinclair, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 10 (Sinclair, 4); FOULS: 13 (Four players tied, 2); OFFSIDES:1; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 3
OLR: GK Murphy, D Cox, D Brooks, D McNabb, D Hammond (M Hazlett, 83), M Cruz (Cruz, 89), M Long (White, 89), M Balcer (Pruitt, 83), M Weatherholt, M Spencer (Smith, 67), F Huerta
Substitutes Not Used: GK Nelson, F Hiatt
TOTAL SHOTS: 19 (Spencer, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Long, 2); FOULS: 15 (Brooks, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 8
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Assistant Referees: Cameron Siler, Corbyn May
4th Official: Sya Magee
Attendance: N/A
Weather: Partly cloudy, 58 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
