The NWSL Portland Thorns last night at Orlando City Stadium won the league's championship after a 1-0 victory in a "gritty title match" against the North Carolina Courage (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/15). An announced crowd of 8,124 "barely filled the 25,500-seat stadium, which again raised the question among fans and media of whether a neutral site is the best option." NWSL Managing Dir Amanda Duffy said that the issue is "something the league is evaluating and no decision has been made yet on whether a neutral site will be used" in '18. Duffy said of Orlando City Stadium, "This is an amazing stadium. ... Orlando has done a fantastic job of building this and seeing a dream come alive. I think with the championship you want to have the best environment and be in a location where you can have the best access for fans" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/15).
In "nearly every way, from on-field success to fan support to profitability, the Thorns are a model of sports franchise success." The Thorns could be the "most successful professional women's sports team in the world." But is the Thorns' success a "blueprint for women's pro sports, or an anomaly?" (
N.Y. TIMES, 10/14). Meanwhile, the Thorns today will be "recognized at halftime" of the DC United-Timbers game, followed by a "rally to celebrate with fans at Providence Park" (
Portland OREGONIAN, 10/15).
