The Portland Thorns have kicked off their NWSL Match Day 3 in quite a momentous fashion. Before today’s game against the North Carolina Courage, the Oregon-based club held a brief ceremony to pay tribute to their iconic defender Becky Sauerbrunn. The center-back, who announced her retirement from the beautiful game at the end of last year, finally received her flowers from her beloved club. But in order to make the occasion meaningful, the Thorns decided to make a special donation for a unique cause.

Apparently, they have donated over $5000 to Athlete Ally, which is a nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to LGBTQ athletic advocacy. The group aims to create more inclusive sports communities, reduce discrimination, and empower athletes to champion LGBTQ equality.

The Thorns shared some glimpses on their X account, showcasing the whole squad, including players, coaches, and staff, posing with a big-sized check drawn in favor of Athlete Ally. Additionally, the caption read, “We’re proud to donate $5,000 to @AthleteAlly. Thank you Becky for advocating for all voices for this game.”

Sauerbrunn, a proud activist and advocate for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, surely couldn’t have been more grateful for such a warm adieu. As if the donation made to mark the occasion wasn’t enough, the Thorns didn’t stop there. Becky also received her own large framed jersey, which includes an image of her and her teammates.

Notably, it was just days ago that the Thorns participated in a similar activity. During their home opener against Angel City FC, they partnered with Ring—an Amazon-owned smart home security services provider—as their official sponsor. The main motive was to promote social-driven initiatives. 

The first one included recognizing Oregon firefighters recently deployed in Los Angeles. All the respective courageous individuals were honored in a pre-match ceremony for providing crucial emergency assistance during a very trying period. Furthermore, beyond honoring these heroes, Ring contributed $10,000 to Altadena Girls. It is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting teenage girls who lost their homes and belongings in California’s Eaton Canyon Fire.

So it’s safe to say that Portland Thorns kept their tradition alive today at Providence Park during Becky’s farewell. Honestly, this gesture has raised the bar for another impending tribute that the former US international is set to receive very soon!

Becky Sauerbrunn awaits another special tribute!

After receiving a heartfelt tribute from the Portland Thorns, Becky Sauerbrunn is now set for another honor—this time from the U.S. Women’s National Team. The U.S. Soccer Federation made the announcement while unveiling a pair of summer friendlies against China. The first match will take place at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, followed by a return fixture at Energizer Park in St. Louis on Tuesday, June 3. 

Hence, Sauerbrunn will be honored in a special pre-game tribute before the second match in St. Louis. What makes it all the more meaningful is that it takes place in her hometown. Ironically, if we should rely on our recall, that’s exactly what the former center-back ever wanted for herself.

While opening up about her retirement on one of the episodes of The Women’s Game podcast, she stated, “We saw so many of our colleagues and peers retire, receive their flowers, and have their celebrations. I wanted those quiet moments with the game where I could just sit in the moment and truly appreciate it.”

In the end, she couldn’t have contradicted herself more. Then again, for someone of her stature and the laurels she has achieved, this is the least Becky can have!