PORTLAND, Ore. (June 30, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that defender Sam Hiatt has signed a contract extension through the 2027 season.
“Sam is a strong leader whose experience has been extremely valuable on and off the pitch for our roster, and she has played a key role in the success we have seen over the last two seasons,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “We are excited to extend her time in Portland, and we look forward to her continued impact and leadership as we prepare to compete for an NWSL Championship.”
Hiatt joined the Thorns prior to the 2025 season and was a key figure in the team’s run to the semifinals that year. For 2026, she has taken on the mantle of captain and has been a consistent presence in the backline for Portland’s strong start to the regular season in which the Thorns have yet to suffer defeat at home. Additionally, Hiatt has been named twice to the NWSL’s Best XI this year, in April and May respectively. In total, she has started in 32 of her 33 league appearances for Portland and is on pace to make her 100th NWSL appearance later this year.
Hiatt has also been an active figure in the local community during her time with the Thorns, highlighted by her winning of the NWSL’s 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award which recognizes players for their outstanding character and community service off the pitch. As the winner, Hiatt earned a $50,000 donation for her designated community partner, Candlelighters Oregon.
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 30, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that defender Sam Hiatt has signed a contract extension through the 2027 season.
“Sam is a strong leader whose experience has been extremely valuable on and off the pitch for our roster, and she has played a key role in the success we have seen over the last two seasons,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “We are excited to extend her time in Portland, and we look forward to her continued impact and leadership as we prepare to compete for an NWSL Championship.”
Hiatt joined the Thorns prior to the 2025 season and was a key figure in the team’s run to the semifinals that year. For 2026, she has taken on the mantle of captain and has been a consistent presence in the backline for Portland’s strong start to the regular season in which the Thorns have yet to suffer defeat at home. Additionally, Hiatt has been named twice to the NWSL’s Best XI this year, in April and May respectively. In total, she has started in 32 of her 33 league appearances for Portland and is on pace to make her 100th NWSL appearance later this year.
Hiatt has also been an active figure in the local community during her time with the Thorns, highlighted by her winning of the NWSL’s 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award which recognizes players for their outstanding character and community service off the pitch. As the winner, Hiatt earned a $50,000 donation for her designated community partner, Candlelighters Oregon.
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
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