The Columbian

Soccer

Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Bella Bixby looks on as North Carolina Courage forward Lynn Williams (9) scores against her during the second half of an NWSL Challenge Cup soccer match at Zions Bank Stadium Saturday, June 27, 2020, in Herriman, Utah.

Stoppage time goal lifts Courage over Thorns 2-1

June 27, 2020, 12:52pm Soccer

Lynn Williams scored in stoppage time and the North Carolina Courage defeated the Portland Thorns 2-1 in the opening game of the National Women's Soccer League's Challenge Cup tournament on Saturday. Read story

Portland forward Christine Sinclair and the Thorns will open the National Women's Soccer League Challenge Cup tournament on Saturday, June 27, 2020. And the pressure is on as the first professional team sport in the United States to play amid the coronavirus pandemic.

NWSL takes field first as other pro leagues chart futures

June 26, 2020, 3:23pm Soccer

The National Women’s Soccer League opens its Challenge Cup tournament Saturday and the pressure is on as it becomes the first professional team sports league to play in the U.S. amid the coronavirus pandemic. Read story

FILE - In this May 24, 2019, file photo, Megan Rapinoe, a member of the United States women's national soccer team, speaks to reporters during a news conference in New York. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, soccer star Megan Rapinoe and three-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will preside over The ESPYS two-hour broadcast airing June 21 on ESPN. All three live in the Seattle area. Rapinoe and Bird are partners who share a household, which conveniently eases some logistics. Wilson's singer-wife, Ciara, is likely to make an appearance, too.

Heath, Rapinoe among players opting out of NWSL tournament

June 23, 2020, 8:07pm Soccer

U.S. national team players Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath and Christen Press have opted out of the National Women’s Soccer League tournament kicking off this weekend in Utah. Read story

Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri is the club's all-time goals and assists leader.

Orlando, Miami to meet in opener of MLS return tournament

June 11, 2020, 4:09pm Soccer

Orlando City will play expansion Inter Miami in the opening match of the Major League Soccer tournament starting next month in Florida. Read story

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Atlanta United defender Jeff Larentowicz, left, and New England Revolution midfielder Scott Caldwell battle for a header during round one of an MLS Cup playoff soccer game in Atlanta. Atlanta United veteran defender Jeff Larentowicz, who serves as an executive board member for the players union, said Thursday, June 4, 2020, he has safety concerns about an agreement announced Wednesday for a MLS tournament in Orlando in July.

MLS to resume season with Florida tournament starting July 8

June 10, 2020, 2:36pm Soccer

Major League Soccer announced Wednesday that its season will resume starting July 8 with a tournament in Florida. Read story

FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2014 file photo, members of the U.S. Women's National team warm up during practice at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Pro soccer returns to the U.S. next month when the National Women's Soccer League starts a 25-game tournament in a pair of stadiums in Utah that will be kept clear of fans to protect players from the coronavirus. Players from the nine teams will train and live at two Salt Lake City-area hotels, the league announced Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

Portland Thorns to open NWSL tourney

June 1, 2020, 7:14pm National Sports

The National Women’s Soccer League has set the schedule for the opening round of its tournament starting later this month in Utah, with the Portland Thorns playing the defending champion North Carolina Courage on the opening day. Read story

United States' Megan Rapinoe lifts up the trophy after winning the Women's World Cup final last summer.

Women’s soccer claim of unequal pay tossed, can argue travel

May 1, 2020, 5:29pm National Sports

A federal judge threw out the unequal pay claim by players on the U.S. women’s national soccer team but allowed their allegation of discriminatory travel accommodations and medical support services to go to trial. Read story

All-region girls soccer player of the year, Yaneisy Rodriguez of Columbia River, is pictured at The Columbian in Vancouver on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.

River’s Rodriguez inks with UW women’s soccer

May 1, 2020, 3:08pm Prep Sports

Columbia River senior Yaneisy Rodriguez wasn’t prepared to settle. After decommiting from the University of Nevada last fall, she received several offers from schools around the region. She considered playing professionally in Mexico if the right opportunity didn’t present itself. Read story

Washington State forward Morgan Weaver (6) was selected by the Portland Thorns with the second pick in the National Women's Soccer League draft. The league was supposed to start its season this weekend.

NWSL had momentum heading into now suspended soccer season

April 18, 2020, 3:22pm Soccer

A four-year starter at Washington State, Morgan Weaver said one of her greatest strengths as a player is that she's a good learner. But for now, like the rest of the NWSL's players, she's learning to be patient. Read story