Recent Form (last 5 matches)
Head to Head — 5 matches
North Carolina Courage W 
Portland Thorns W Pre-Match Preview
A clash of NWSL titans descends on Round 4. When North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns meet, it is more than just another league fixture; it is a battle for supremacy between two of the most decorated clubs in the sport's young history. This encounter pits the league's dominant forces against one another, each side boasting multiple championships and a legacy built on relentless ambition.
The North Carolina Courage established themselves as an immediate powerhouse upon their 2017 relocation from Western New York. Winning back-to-back Championships in 2018 and 2019, along with two NWSL Shields and two Challenge Cups, the Courage carved out an identity synonymous with unwavering success. Their style of play, honed at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, has consistently set a high bar for the competition.
Across the continent, Portland Thorns FC have long been the gold standard since the NWSL's inaugural season. As founding members, the Thorns hold the distinction of three Championships – more than any other team in the league, with triumphs in 2013, 2017, and 2022. Matches involving the Thorns are renowned for their intensity and technical quality, often amplified by the incredible atmosphere at Providence Park, their 25,218-seat venue in downtown Portland.
Past meetings between these two formidable clubs have consistently delivered competitive football. In their four previous NWSL encounters, the teams have proven remarkably evenly matched. North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns each claim a single victory, with the remaining two contests ending in draws, highlighting the fine margins that typically separate these elite sides.
As Round 4 unfolds on April 4, 2026, the stage is set for another chapter in this burgeoning rivalry. This is a contest of established champions, each determined to assert their authority on the NWSL landscape. Expect nothing less than a fiercely contested match where every pass, tackle, and shot carries significant weight in the pursuit of bragging rights and three valuable points. The North Carolina Courage W vs Portland Thorns W match delivers a captivating spectacle for fans of women's football.
North Carolina Courage W Portland Thorns W North Carolina Courage W Portland Thorns W Match Report
The scoreboard at flickered four times in a captivating NWSL encounter, as North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns battled to a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Reilyn Turner put the visitors ahead in the 12th minute, but Manaka Matsukubo quickly leveled for the Courage. Olivia Moultrie then restored Portland's advantage just five minutes later, only for Ashley Sanchez to ensure the home side went into halftime with the scores tied, striking in the 37th minute. The second half saw both teams chase a winner, with the Courage dominating possession and the Thorns creating more overall shots, but neither could find a decisive goal. This Round 4 clash between North Carolina Courage W vs Portland Thorns W delivered a compelling back-and-forth spectacle, with the points ultimately shared in a result that felt fitting for the ebb and flow of the contest.
North Carolina Courage W
Bench
Portland Thorns W
Bench
North Carolina Courage W
| North Carolina Courage W | Stat | Portland Thorns W |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wins | 1 |
| 5 | Goals scored | 4 |
| 2/5 | Clean sheets | 2/5 |
| 1/5 | Over 2.5 goals | 1/5 |
NOR
North Carolina Courage W Portland Thorns W Portland Thorns W North Carolina Courage W North Carolina Courage W NOR
Gotham FC W 
Brann W 
Rosenborg W 
San Diego Wave W 
Washington Spirit W 