Portland Thorns defeat OL Reign 2-0 to reach Challenge Cup final

Lindsey Horan and Simone Charley score to secure Thorns' spot in preseason tournament championship match

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Portland Thorns defeated their rivals OL Reign 2-0 on Wednesday night to clinch a spot in the preseason Challenge Cup final. Goals from Lindsey Horan and Simone Charley were enough to secure the victory for the Thorns, who will now advance to compete for the championship in the annual preseason tournament.

Why it matters

The Challenge Cup is an important preseason competition for NWSL teams to prepare for the upcoming regular season. Reaching the final is a significant achievement for the Thorns, one of the league's most successful franchises, as they look to build momentum heading into the 2026 campaign.

The details

Horan opened the scoring in the first half, giving the Thorns the lead. Charley then doubled Portland's advantage in the second half to seal the victory. The Thorns' defense held firm throughout the match to preserve the clean sheet and secure their spot in the final.

  • The match took place on Wednesday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Lindsey Horan

An experienced midfielder for the Portland Thorns and a key member of the United States women's national soccer team.

Simone Charley

A forward for the Portland Thorns who scored the second goal to help her team secure the victory.

Portland Thorns

One of the most successful franchises in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the Thorns have won multiple league championships and are a perennial contender.

OL Reign

The Thorns' rivals in the NWSL, the OL Reign are also a highly competitive team that has won the league title in the past.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to have secured our spot in the Challenge Cup final. The team has been working hard in preseason and this is a great reward for their efforts.”

— Mark Parsons, Head Coach, Portland Thorns (FOX Sports)

What’s next

The Thorns will now face the winner of the other semifinal match in the Challenge Cup final, which is scheduled for February 24, 2026.

The takeaway

The Thorns' victory over their rivals OL Reign demonstrates their continued dominance in the NWSL and their ability to perform well in high-stakes preseason tournaments, setting them up for a strong regular season campaign.