The Portland Thorns FC is an American professional women's soccer team based in Portland, Oregon. Established in 2012, the team began play in 2013 in the then-eight-team National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), which receives support from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), and formerly the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). The Portland franchise is owned by Peregrine Sports LLC, which also owns the Portland Timbers. The Thorns, the Houston Dash, the Orlando Pride, and the Utah Royals are other NWSL teams with Major League Soccer affiliations. In its inaugural season, the Portland Thorns FC placed third during the regular season and, in the playoffs, won the first ever NWSL championship. The club won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and a second NWSL Championship in 2017.