Portland Timbers x North Carolina Courage

Thorns and Courage Lock Horns in Fierce 0-0 Draw at Providence Park

March 29th brought the drama, the intensity, and the grind, even if the scoreboard stayed frozen. Portland Thorns FC and North Carolina Courage battled to a thrilling 0-0 draw at a rocking Providence Park, in a match where the only thing missing was a goal.

The Thorns came out firing, launching 19 shots and stacking up eight corners, but they just couldn’t break through a tough-as-nails Courage defense. Portland’s new goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was the hero at the other end, making five massive saves and locking in the club’s first clean sheet of the season.

The Courage weren’t content to just sit back either. They created danger on the counter and tested Arnold more than once, but every attempt was met with a glove, a block, or a last-ditch clearance.

This was a battle of two titans going toe-to-toe, with end-to-end action, fierce midfield duels, and playoff-level energy, even in March.

The result? A point apiece and a reminder that when these two squads meet, it's always must-watch soccer. The draw also stretched the Thorns’ home unbeaten streak against North Carolina to five matches, a streak they’ll be proud to protect.

No goals, but no shortage of heart. If this match was a preview of things to come this season, buckle up.

[Photography by Jackie Shinstrom]