Morgan Weaver and Christine Sinclair led the Portland Thorns to a decisive 2-0 victory over Orlando, giving the Pride their first loss of the season and ending their 24-match unbeaten streak.
This victory not only marked a crucial win for the Thorns, snapping their own seven-game winless streak, but also crucially helped them maintain their playoff hopes while keeping them in seventh place in the league standings.
Sinclair’s goal marked her 80th in her illustrious career, positioning her second on the NWSL's all-time scoring list, and the crowd’s response illustrated the respect and admiration she commands in the league.
Despite Orlando securing the NWSL Shield, the absence of key players like Barbra Banda and Marta from the starting lineup indicated a tactical choice by coach Seb Hines to conserve energy for the playoffs.
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