Vancouver, WA — The Vancouver Victory Women opened their 2025 WPSL season on Saturday with a 0-2 loss to Portland Thorns 2 at Harmony Sports Complex. Despite the scoreline, the match highlighted how far the Victory have come since last season — and how much potential remains untapped.
From the opening whistle, the Victory brought energy and intent, carving out over 20 chances in the first half alone. Their pressure pinned Portland back for long stretches, and the home side dictated the tempo early on. But for all their attacking efforts, the final touch eluded them.
Portland struck against the run of play in the 44th minute, finishing a rare first-half opportunity just before the break. Vancouver returned to the field determined to respond, but as the second half wore on, the sharpness and rhythm that defined the first 45 minutes began to fade. The Thorns took advantage in the 70th minute, doubling their lead and putting the game out of reach.
It was a frustrating result for a Victory side that showed quality in the buildup but couldn’t capitalize in key moments. Still, there are signs of clear growth. The speed of play, attacking creativity, and overall competitiveness were a step up from last year’s squad.
The challenge now is consistency — turning strong stretches into sustained 90-minute performances, and chances into goals. As the season kicks off, Vancouver has a foundation to build on, and the belief that this group can do more than just compete.
The Victory return to action next Friday as they look to bounce back and turn promising performances into points.
