After facing the gauntlet (three games in eight days) and an imposing 4-game stretch to start the season, the Portland Thorns now find themselves in Cary, North Carolina where they are set to take on the North Carolina Courage in their final match before a 3-week long international break.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 pm PST, with streaming available on ION. Below you will find your match preview, along with a place to stop and chat throughout the game!
Keeping up with the Courage
The North Carolina Courage have opened the 2026 NWSL season with a singular win and a pair of losses. Having played one game less than the Thorns, the Courage have produced a 2-1 victory against Racing Louisville, a 0-0 draw versus Gotham, and most recently a 3-1 loss to Bay FC.
And with just three goals on the season for the Courage, they have come from two sources – Ashley Sanchez and Manaka Matsukubo.
Sanchez, an NWSL legend and veteran, scored a brace in the season opener for the Courage in their 2-1 victory over Racing Louisville, leaving Matsukubo with the lone goal against Bay FC.
But historically speaking, low scoring games have been the Thorns kryptonite when facing the Courage. Both of last year's meetings with the team ended in draws and were offensively bleak showings – a 0-0 result at Providence Park, and a 1-1 finish on the road, with Olivia Moultrie being the lone Thorn to put Portland on the board against the Courage last season.
However, it would appear that this is not the narrative the Thorns are writing for themselves this season.
The Big 3
Pietra Tordin, Reilyn Turner, and Olivia Moultrie. Six goals, three goal contributors.
Photo Credit: Kelsey Baker
The youth movement is strong in the City of Roses, and it doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon. Tordin (22), Turner (23), and Moultrie (20) are the three players who have recorded goals for the Thorns so far this season – each with multiple in their bags already.
Needless to say, will I be shocked to see another player score today? Not at all. Will I be surprised if one of these three don't also give Thorns fans something to cheer about? Absolutely.
Today appears to be another road test, with an outcome that could solidify everyone's early perceptions of the strength of this year's Thorns team.
Keeping up with STF
Be sure to check out the Stumptown Footy crew's take on the hot start to the season for the Thorns in our most recent Stumptown Radio podcast episode – where we even share what we may (or may not) be expecting out of this road trip from the Thorns.
Wilder Isom
