Lindsey Horan celebrates winning MVP at the NWSL Championship match.
Photo by: Jeremy Reper
SANTA MONICA – After a 1-0 victory over North Carolina Courage on Saturday, the Portland Thorns claimed their second NWSL Championship. Lindsey Horan, who gave Portland their one and only goal, was named the Most Valuable Player.
The Portland Thorns, have some of the best fans in the NWSL. On average, they have over double the amount of attendance at their games as any other team. According to Soccer Stadium Digest, the Portland Thorns averaged 17,653 attendees throughout the season. The team that had the next most people at their games, Orlando Pride, only averaged 6,186. This support and unity only continued upon the Thorns arrival back to Portland.
Once the players got off the plane on Sunday, hundreds of fans were waiting outside the airport, singing, holding signs, and cheering for them. Then, the Thorns went off to their Championship Rally at Providence Park where over a thousand fans were were waiting for them. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, the Thorns owner Merritt Paulson, and their coach Mark Parsons were all in attendance.
Portland Thorns FC on Twitter: “Did you miss our #NWSLChamps rally last night?🎉Don’t worry, you can watch the entire celebration here: https://t.co/VM9emGKLGt #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/JuJGOlS8UO / Twitter”
Did you miss our #NWSLChamps rally last night?🎉Don’t worry, you can watch the entire celebration here: https://t.co/VM9emGKLGt #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/JuJGOlS8UO
Parsons then thanked their fans, and credited them for showing everyone how a professional women’s team should be supported.
Although the NWSL season is over, there is still a lot of soccer to be played and three Portland Thorns players, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, and Allie Long were recently named to the USWNT roster for their upcoming friendlies against the Korea Republic.
Photos by ISI.
