PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC opened the 2016 NWSL season by defeating visiting Orlando Pride 2-1 in front of 16,073 fans at Providence Park on Sunday night.
Orlando opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Pride defender Steph Catley's free kick from just outside the box beat Thorns FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos.
The Thorns, however, equalized in the 25th minute. Forward Nadia Nadim headed a Lindsey Horan cross into the path of Tobin Heath who sent the ball across the face of goal to the waiting feet of midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir.