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NWSL Challenge Cup: Lynn Williams leads North Carolina over Washington, Chicago and Portland play scoreless tie

Portland dominated possession and outshot Chicago's young lineup but couldn't manage to score.

Chicago Red Stars defender Kayla Sharples slides to tackle the ball away from Portland Thorns midfielder Celeste Boureille (30) during the first half.
Chicago Red Stars defender Kayla Sharples slides to tackle the ball away from Portland Thorns midfielder Celeste Boureille (30) during the first half.Read moreRick Bowmer / AP
    by The Associated Press, Associated Press
    Updated 
    Published 

North Carolina Courage 2, Washington Spirit 0

HERRIMAN, Utah — Lynn Williams scored twice to help the North Carolina Courage beat the Washington Spirit 2-0 on Wednesday night in the NWSL’s Challenge Cup tournament.

Williams has three goals in the tournament for the two-time defending league champions, considered the Challenge Cup favorites.

Williams put North Carolina in front in the 50th minute, then added a second goal in the 61st at Zions Bank Stadium. With two wins, the Courage sit atop the tournament table.

Williams also scored in stoppage time to give the Courage a 2-1 victory over Portland on Saturday in the opener. North Carolina rookie Ally Watt tore a ligament in her right knee during the win against the Thorns and is out for the tournament.

Chicago Red Stars 0, Portland Thorns 0

The Portland Thorns and the Chicago Red Stars played to a scoreless draw Wednesday in the group stage of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Challenge Cup tournament.

Portland dominated possession and outshot Chicago's young lineup but couldn't manage to score in the match played without fans in Herriman, Utah.

Rookie Morgan Weaver had a good chance for the Thorns in the 14th minute but Chicago goalkeeper Emily Boyd got a hand on it and pushed it over the net. Raquel Rodriguez also had a shot from distance go just wide after coming in off the bench in the second half.

Chicago's Savannah McCaskill had a free kick in the 85th minute that went wide.

The game was the second of the tournament for both teams. The Red Stars swapped out their lineup from the opener, with key players including Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, Kealia Watt and Yuki Nagasato all on the bench. Red Stars coach Rory Dames has said he wants to give young players experience during the tournament.

Boyd replaced Naeher in goal to start the game and Cassie Miller was subbed in for the second half.

The Thorns were without Becky Sauerbrunn, who had played in the opener, because of a hip injury. Portland is also without goalkeeper Adrianna Franch for the duration of the tournament because of a knee injury. Tobin Heath opted not to play in the Challenge Cup.

Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby has started in goal for the Thorns in both games.