An improbable game after a rough week saw the Thorns come from one goal down to beat the North Carolina on the strength of two Courage own goals.
The Thorns sprung a few big lineup changes after playing a midweek fixture up in Tacoma: Caitlin Foord started on the wing, Dagny Brynjarsdottir came in for Gabby Seiler and Katherine Reynolds played her first game at left back for the club. Most notably, Simone Charley returned to the starting lineup for the first time since the World Cup season.
The Courage totally dominated the opening 15 minutes of the game.