Pinned
🙌@bellageist claims the @Verizon Save of the Match with her quick reactions on a deflected shot. #NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/lsiuY2dw5b
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 27, 2020
The National Women's Soccer League became the first professional team sports league to mark its return during the COVID-19 pandemic with the launch of the 2020 Challenge Cup in Utah. The action kicked off Saturday on CBS and CBS All Access as two-time reigning champion North Carolina Courage staved off a pesky Portland Thorns FC team at Zions Bank Stadium -- a rematch of the 2018 and 2017 championship games -- to secure a 2-1 win.
All players took a knee before the first kick-off in honor of the Black Live Matter movement. Debinha scored the first goal of the tourney, while the Thorns equalized five minutes later in the second half. It was Lynn Williams who scored the game-winning goal in added time via header to secure the three points for the Courage.
Courage 2, Thorns 1 -- FT
⚽ Courage: Debinha 75'
⚽ Thorns: Simone Charley 80'
⚽ Courage: Lynn Williams 90+4'
GOOOOOAL DEBINHA!
— CBS Sports Soccer (@CBSSportsSoccer) June 27, 2020
72' Hailie Mace gets subbed on
75' Hailie Mace gets the assist@TheNCCourage score the first goal of the #NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/t7DDJL57FI
.@ThornsFC WITH THE EQUALIZER! Lindsey Horan serves it up and Simone Charley finishes it 🤝 #NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/qcnZaoesLd
— CBS Sports Soccer (@CBSSportsSoccer) June 27, 2020
GOAAAAL!!! A header from Lynn Williams for the lead in stoppage time 🔥 @TheNCCourage lead 2-1. pic.twitter.com/lfFOJ1WkEp
— CBS Sports Soccer (@CBSSportsSoccer) June 27, 2020
Takeaways
North Carolina Courage: The club entered the tournament as the favorites to win the Challenge Cup in Vegas and so far, so good. While the attempts in the first half weren't hitting the back to the net, the build-up in play provided several looks in the early stages. Lynn Willams, Debinha and Crystal Dunn were significant players throughout the half, including rookie defender Addisyn Merrick.
A flurry of attempts down the stretch proved worthy as Debinha scored the first goal of the tournament thanks to a brilliant service from newly-acquired forward Hailie Mace, who picked up an assist in her first NWSL match. Lynn Williams provided the game-winner after an assist from Sam Mewis.
Next game: Wednesday, July 1 at 10 p.m. vs. Washington Spirit (CBS All Access)
Portland Thorns FC: The Portland squad looked a little different as it took the pitch, with newcomer Rocky Rodriguez and goalkeeper Bella Bixby getting the start. The team was able to manage the quick transitional attacks from the Courage, thanks to the outstanding pro debut of Bixby. As the team entered halftime, it was deadlocked at zero.
The lone goal came from second-year forward Simone Charley after header from Lindsay Horan ricocheted the post.
Next game: Wednesday, July 1 at 12:30 p.m. vs. Chicago Red Stars (CBS All Access)
