This weekend, soccer returned to the United States. The NWSL Challenge Cup’s first match saw the defending champion North Carolina Courage defeat the Portland Thorns in a 2-1 victory. It took until the 75th minute for the goals to flow when Debinha got on the end of a Hailie Mace cross to take a 1-0 lead.
The Thorns responded quickly, though, equalizing in the five minutes later with Simone Charley getting her first career NWSL goal. But the Courage pulled away and earned all three points with an added-time winner by Lynn Williams who headed in a perfect Sam Mewis cross to finish the match 2-1.