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OCTOBER 23, 2026 – PORTLAND, OR: Thorns celebrate Marie Müller’s goal during the Portland Thorns against North Carolina Courage at Providence Park (Photo by Diego G Diaz).
The Thorns struggled to overcome a physical game against a team also fighting for their playoff lives. It was a true midfield battle, resolved by a wonderful strike from Marie Müller, who fired a rocket from the top of the box past the net defended by Kailen Sheridan in the 60th minute. The goal by the German winger came as the anti-trans group XX-XY Athletics staged a media stunt in the heart of the North End.
The Courage’s strategy centered on dominating possession and high-tempo pressing to keep the ball away from the Thorns as much as possible, then build forward and score. The Thorns played a much more vertical game, surging forward with speed and numbers to penetrate the small spaces the opposing defense left. Portland also worked their back line hard to neutralize North Carolina’s attack.
While both teams created danger in the opposite goal, neither could find that last bit of clarity in the rival’s box to take the lead. Portland’s attack looked more dangerous, but like North Carolina’s, it struggled to create clear chances. The lone goal of the game came after an attempt by Thorns forward Reilyn Turner was blocked by the defense; the resulting ball bounced off to the edge of the box and was picked up by Portland’s German international winger, Marie Müller, who hit it in full run and sent a powerful strike to the bottom of the net.
Müller’s goal came at a tense moment in the stands. The home crowd had fallen silent as a sector in the center of the North End, unrelated to the home supporters’ group, The Riveters, displayed banners and T-shirts associated with XX-XY Athletics, a group linked to well-funded right-wing groups. The group is well known for its anti-trans stances and its close relationships with other groups and right-wing figures and causes, well beyond the scope of football, but deeply embedded in political sectors deeply involved in the long battle for the control of the rights of certain groups of people.
We’ll discuss this separately in a follow-up.
It felt like ages before the stands situation got sorted; while it was developing, both teams still played their hearts out, with their season fortunes on the line on the pitch. Eventually, with the protesters out, the game returned to the normal rhythm of a season home-ender, with the Thorns up 1-0 and 20 minutes left on the clock. The songs came back, and we could enjoy Portland soccer’s vibrant atmosphere again. At the end of the contest, as is traditional on the last game of the season, there were presents for the players, a visit to the capo stand, and an award for the fan’s favorite player of the season; this year, it was Pietra Tordin.
2026 Supporters Player of the Season, Pietra Tordin (Photo by Diego G. Diaz).
Portland’s win on the pitch was no small prize, as the North Carolina Courage gave it their all until the final whistle. Portland secured a hard-fought playoff spot, celebrated with fanfare and fireworks, but the work is far from done. Far from the Supporters’ Shield race, Portland, currently in 7th place with 47 points, could still improve its position in the final table and aspire to host a playoff game at Providence Park; that would depend on how Kansas City Current (4th with 50 points), Angel City (5th with 49), and Utah Royals (6th with 47) finish. Goal differentials will be decisive.
The Courage were in a similar spot to the Thorns at kickoff; after the loss, they now sit 9th with 42 points, two points behind the last playoff spot, held by the Seattle Reign, who are 8th with 44. Portland will close the season at Houston Dash, while North Carolina Courage will host Denver Summit. Another game critical to the final two playoff spots is the Seattle Reign vs. Orlando Pride, with the latter having no chance of qualifying.
The table is far from fully defined. Although 7 of 8 possible teams are confirmed for the postseason, their final standings are not. Let’s not forget that Gotham FC, currently at the top, could lose the Shield if they lose to Utah Royals and San Diego Wave beats Bay FC. By the same token, if Seattle draws or loses and North Carolina beats Denver, Seattle will be the one saying goodbye to the season. A San Diego loss could relegate them to third place if Washington Spirit beats Chicago. The same goes for Kansas, Angle City, and Utah: a bad result would completely alter who gets to play where.
These are all great ingredients for a great afternoon of football on Decision Day, November 1. All games kick off at 2:00 PM Pacific and 5:00 PM Eastern.
