CARY, N.C. – Opening the 2018 NWSL regular season, Portland Thorns FC fell 1-0 to the North Carolina Courage in front of 4,210 fans at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday afternoon. Midfielder Debinha notched the game-winning goal in the 70th minute for North Carolina.
Thorns FC debuts
Midfielder Midge Purce and forward Ifeoma Onumonu made their Thorns FC debuts in the match. Defender Kelli Hubly earned her first career professional start. Additionally, defender Elizabeth Ball made her professional debut in the match, logging 12 minutes as a second-half substitute.