Thorns down OL Reign to win NWSL Fall Series shield

TACOMA — Christine Sinclair scored on a pair of penalty kicks and the Portland Thorns downed OL Reign 2-1 Saturday night to claim the National Women’s Soccer League’s Community Shield in the fall series.

With the win, Portland (3-0-1) locked up the top spot in the fall series. The league created the Community Shield for the series’ best team.

Sinclair scored on a penalty kick late in the first half to put the Thorns up 1-0, but the Reign drew even early in the the second half on Amber Brooks’ goal.

Sinclair scored on a second PK in the 73rd minute. The Canadian national team captain leads all players in the fall series with six goals.

The Reign (0-2-1) wrap up the fall series against the Utah Royals next Saturday, following a match between the Orlando Pride and North Carolina Courage.

The league partnered with Verizon on the Community Shield to provide grants to local small businesses for the top three finishers in the fall series. The Thorns will grant $25,000 to Portland’s Mimi’s Fresh Tees.