The world has taken notice of Portland’s championship-winning first season in the National Women’s Soccer League, as the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) recently named Thorns FC as the third-best women’s soccer team in the world following the 2013 calendar year.
Last year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League winners VfL Wolfsburg of Germany, which won the treble by capturing their domestic league and cup titles as well, earned the top spot in the rankings while French side Olympique Lyon came in second place. Lyon saw an impressive unbeaten streak snapped in the Champions League final with a loss to Wolfsburg, but still earned silverware by winning their domestic league and cup competitions.
Thorns FC are the only NWSL team present in the rankings, which lists the Top 10 teams. Portland outpaced England’s Arsenal Ladies FC in fourth place and Italian champion Torres Calcio in fifth place.
The IFFHS, a German organization, compiles the rankings based on voting from their editorial staff and input from knowledgeable sources from 70 countries around the world. Lyon was voted the top women’s club team following the 2012 calendar year.
