Morgan Weaver and Christine Sinclair scored to give the Portland Thorns a 2-0 win over visiting Orlando on Friday night and hand the Pride their first loss of the season.
The Pride (17-1-6) have not lost in 23 games this season and had a 24-game losing streak dating back to last season.
The win broke Portland’s seven-game winless streak and kept the team in the playoffs.
“I think we’ve played well, especially in the last few games, and we still haven’t got a result after some really tough games, so to play like we did against the team tonight,” said Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey. . “We haven’t lost yet, and seeing the results makes me proud beyond words,” he said.
WATCH l Sinclair wins against Pride:
Christine Sinclair scored in the 55th minute to lead the Portland Thorns to a 2-0 win over league leaders Orlando Pride in the NWSL.
Portland (9-11-4) took a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute of the first half when Reyna Reyes headed a corner kick dropped by Weaver.
Weaver appeared to be injured in the 60th minute of the first half.
“I just wanted to get out there because I didn’t want to take any risks when there was still a game left,” Weaver said. “I’m okay.”
Sinclair, who is retiring after 11 seasons, scored his 55th goal. It was her 80th goal in all competitions and ranks second on the NWSL all-time list. The Providence Park crowd gave her a standing ovation after she was ejected.
Sinclair fell hard after a heading attempt late in the first half and appeared to injure his shoulder, but returned after being checked on the sideline.
With the best regular season record in the NWSL Shield already secured, Pride coach Seb Hines decided not to start Barbra Banda, Adriana and Marta. Banda leads the Pride with 13 goals this season. All three entered late in the game.
The Thorns, one of the league’s five founding clubs playing their 250th game, were without top scorers Sophia Smith (ankle) and Hina Sugita (facial injury).
