PhotoORLANDO, 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. “Maybe the most beautiful ugly game I’ve ever been a part of,” said Mark Parsons, the Thorns’ coach. Last season, the Thorns were knocked out by the New York Flash in a semifinal match at Providence Park. The Flash went on to beat the Washington Spirit for the league title before moving to North Carolina and becoming the Courage.

Source: New York Times October 15, 2017 01:01 UTC