The Portland Thorns Academy offers a comprehensive soccer development program that includes Pre-ECNL teams for younger players, ECNL and ECNL-RL teams for elite competitive national and regional play, and a WPSL team (Portland Thorns II) that enhances player opportunities and emphasizes our dedication to nurturing local talent. Our structured pathway ensures players have the opportunity to develop their skills and progress within a supportive and competitive environment.
MISSION
The Portland Thorns ECNL empowers female athletes to develop into women of character and community leaders. We prepare players in a positive, player-centered environment with a focus on a “One Club” mentality.
VISION
The Portland Thorns ECNL will consistently produce players who will play with the Thorns 1st Teams, National Team, and Colleges.
THORNS ACADEMY VALUES
Integrity
Portland Thorns Academy players do the right thing even when no one is watching and contribute to a culture of respect.
Growth Mindset
Portland Thorns Academy players grow through their successes and failures, put forth effort regardless of the outcome, and are relentless in their pursuit to grow as a player and as an individual.
Team First
Portland Thorns Academy players are selfless, supportive, and put community and inclusion before themselves.
For additional information on our Academy programs contact at us portlandthornsacademy@gmail.com.
You can follow the Portland Thorns Academy on facebook and instagram.
Our new website is being built out, so check back for our new and improved website in the coming weeks!
Thorns Academy vs. Wrexham Women
Wrexham AFC Women are set to make their U.S. debut this summer with their highly anticipated 'Wrex Coast Tour.' The three-game series features competitive matches against top-tier clubs, with two fixtures in Los Angeles against SoCal FC and Tigres Femenil U19, followed by a night game in Portland against Portland Thorns Academy.
- Friday, July 26, at 7 PM - Providence Park, Portland, OR - Wrexham AFC Women v Portland Thorns Academy
Tickets for the Thorns Academy's match against Wrexham Women available now. Visit WrexCoastTour.com, where ticketing links and additional information for all matches can be found.
TICKETS: Find tickets for Thorns Academy vs. Wrexham Women
Wrexham AFC Women’s U.S. Tour is made possible by title sponsor Ally, a financial services company with the U.S.’s largest all-digital bank and a leading brand in women's sports. Ally’s support will help elevate Wrexham AFC Women’s presence globally, accelerating its ambitions of becoming a top club worldwide.
PORTLAND, Ore. (Saturday, August 15, 2026) – The Portland Thorns continued their impressive home form with a 2-1 win over Orlando Pride on Saturday when forward Caiya Hanks — who was making her return to the pitch after missing action for over a year with an ACL injury — scored a stoppage time winner to secure three points for the home side.
Both sides battled back and forth as they tried to search for the opening goal, with Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold making three saves to ensure the match remained level going into the halftime break.
The Thorns came out into the second half much more threatening in Orlando’s half and finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when forward Pietra Tordin laid the ball off to forward Deyna Castellanos, who from the top right corner of Orlando’s box placed the ball perfectly into the top left corner of the goal over the hands of Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.
The lead was short lived however when Arnold’s diving save to punch out a crossed ball in the 63rd minute ricocheted off the knees of Orlando forward Jacqueline Ovalle and rolled into the net to level things back up.
From there, Portland and Orlando continued in their fight to search for a second and despite several good looks at goal, the match remained level.
That would all change after Hanks — who subbed on in the 88th minute — curled the ball into the goal from outside the box in the 96th to send Providence Park into a frenzy as the Thorns secured three points and extended its home unbeaten streak to 12 matches, nine on the season.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns host Denver Summit FC for the first time at Providence Park on Saturday, August 22. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:45 pm PT on ION and 910 ESPN Portland. Purchase tickets for the match HERE.
TEAM NOTES
- Pietra Tordin extended her assist tally to nine, sitting alongside Croix Bethune (KC) for most in the league so far this season. Tordin is one assist away from equalizing the league record for assists which is 10 (Tobin Heath, POR 2016 and Croix Bethune, KC 2024).
- Deyna Castellanos scored her first goal of the 2026 season.
- Caiya Hanks, who was removed off the Season-Ending Injury list, made her return to the pitch for the first time since June 15, 2025 and scored the game-winner.
- M.A. Vignola got her first assist of the season.
- The Thorns have gone 12 home regular season matches (dating back to September 2025) without losing (8W,4D), extending the current club record.
- The Thorns have not lost at home in 2026 (6W,3D).
- In seven matches since 2018, Portland has not lost at home against Orlando (7W-0L-0D).
GOAL BREAKDOWN
First Half
N/A
Second Half
POR – Deyna Castellanos (Pietra Tordin) 58’
ORL – Jacqueline Ovalle 63’
POR – Caiya Hanks (M.A. Vignola) 90+6’
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-2-3-1): Mackenzie Arnold (GK), M.A. Vignola, Jayden Perry, Isabella Obaze (Sam Hiatt 78’), Carolyn Calzada, Jessie Fleming-C, Nina Nijstad (Cassandra Bogere 85’), Pietra Tordin (Caiya Hanks 88’), Deyna Castellanos (Renee Lyles 78’), Marie Müller (Morgan Weaver 67’), Sophia Wilson
Subs not used: Morgan Messner (GK), Reyna Reyes, Shae Harvey, Mallie McKenzie
Orlando Pride (4-4-2): Anna Moorhouse (GK), Hailie Mace (Gabi Nunes 90+8’), Rafaelle (Zoe Matthews 89’), Cori Dyke, Oihane Hernández (Zara Chavoshi 76’), Solai Washington, Ally Lemos, Haley McCutcheon-C, Julie Doyle (Summer Yates 65’), Jacqueline Ovalle, Barbra Banda (Angelina 65’)
Subs not used: Cara Martin (GK), Cossette Morche, Luana, Nicole Payne
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: N/A
ORL: Jacqueline Ovalle (Yellow) 40’, Julie Doyle (Yellow) 52’, Rafaelle (Yellow) 85’
MATCH STATS
POR | ORL
Goals: 2|1
Assists: 2|0
Possession: 51|49
Shots: 10|12
Shots on Target: 4|6
Saves: 5|2
Tackles: 16|16
Tackles Won: 9|11
Interceptions: 14|26
Fouls: 7|6
Offsides: 0|1
Corner Kicks: 0|6
ATTENDANCE: 19,106
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant Referee 1: Katarzyna Wasiak
Assistant Referee 2: Sarah Gaddes
4th Official: Justin St. Pierre
VAR: Danielle Chesky
Assistant VAR: Seun Yinka-Kehinde
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