ORLANDO, Fla. — Lindsey Horan scored in the 50th minute as the Portland Thorns beat the North Carolina Courage, 1-0, on Saturday to win the National Women’s Soccer League championship.
It was a second title for the Thorns, who also won the N.W.S.L.’s inaugural championship in 2013.
The Courage, the defending champions, lost both Taylor Smith and Kristen Hamilton to injury in the first half of the physical match, which was played in front of 8,124 fans at Orlando City Stadium.
“Maybe the most beautiful ugly game I’ve ever been a part of,” Thorns coach Mark Parsons said.