Super Falcons defender, Nicole Payne and her club Portland Thorns secured a big 2-0 win over league leaders Orlando Pride, ending the latter’s unbeaten run on Friday.
Payne was in the starting lineup and played the full 90 minutes as Portland moved into 7th place with 31 points, inching closer to a playoff spot with two regular-season games remaining.
Portland took an early lead when Reyna Reyes headed a corner kick toward Morgan Weaver, who tapped it into the net in the 13th minute.
The Thorns extended their advantage in the second half, as Christine Sinclair scored her 80th goal across all competitions, assisted by Sam Coffey.
Sinclair’s goal tied her with Lynn Williams for most goals in National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) history.
Portland Thorn’s Goalkeeper Shelby Hogan was solid throughout, making key saves and earning her eighth clean sheet of the season.
Tony Payne and the Thorns sit above the playoff line and are now focused on their next match against Racing Louisville, where they could secure their 10th postseason berth.
