The NWSL was back at Providence Park, after the Challenge Cup celebrated in the NWSL “bubble” at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The NWSL pioneered the sports comeback as the restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic started to ease. The tournament was won by the Houston Dash.

Months later, NWSL is back, and on Sunday September 20, the last day of summer, the Portland Thorns made its debut at home, without fans, against the Utah Royals. The match resulted with a convincing 3-0 victory by the home team with goals of Simone Charley in the first half, Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan in the second.