The Portland Thorns concluded their 2021 NWSL regular season with a 0-0 draw at home in Portland, against the North Carolina Courage. The game was marked with the celebration of the regular season Shield win by the Thorns, who went into this game as mathematically champions.
The match was vivid, with plenty of opportunities to score on both sides, and plenty of work for the goal keepers Casey Murphy (North Carolina) and Bella Bixby (Portland). A disallowed goal for North Carolina in the first half was an omen, the score didn’t move.
Both teams had reasons to be happy at the end of the match, Portland celebrated the regula season shield with the fans, while North Carolina, with this tie, now have to wait what Houston does on Sunday against Washington Spirit. The Courage need Houston to lose on Sunday to make the playoffs.
