The Portland Thorns kick off their 2024 Concacaf W Champions Cup campaign on Wednesday, Sept. 4 against Club América Femenil.
Club América is a powerhouse in women's football in Mexico. Founded in 2016, the team has quickly established itself as a force in Liga MX Femenil, the top tier of women's football in Mexico. The team has consistently been a strong contender in the league, with several deep runs in the playoffs and championship victories in the 2018 Apertura season and the 2023 Clausura season.
Club América’s Scarlett Camberos should be a familiar name to Thorns fans, having played the past two seasons in the NWSL for Angel City FC and Bay FC. American winger Sarah Luebbert has been a mainstay for the side, signing for the Mexican giants from the Chicago Red Stars in 2021. Veteran goalkeeper Sandra Paños is a recent addition to the squad, having signed from FC Barcelona Femení, where she made over 150 appearances.
Club América Femenil kicked off their Concacaf W Champions Cup campaign in spectacular fashion, securing a dominant 7-0 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes in Mexico City. The two-time Liga MX Femenil champions started their debut in the tournament with three points, taking an early lead in Group B on goal difference. Sarah Luebbert opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header, followed by goals from Nicolette Hernández, Kiana Palacios, and Camberos, all within the first half-hour. The scoring continued in the second half, with Irene Guerrero, Aylín Aviléz, and Mia Zuazua adding to the tally.
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
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
The Portland Thorns kick off their 2024 Concacaf W Champions Cup campaign on Wednesday, Sept. 4 against Club América Femenil.
Club América is a powerhouse in women's football in Mexico. Founded in 2016, the team has quickly established itself as a force in Liga MX Femenil, the top tier of women's football in Mexico. The team has consistently been a strong contender in the league, with several deep runs in the playoffs and championship victories in the 2018 Apertura season and the 2023 Clausura season.
Club América’s Scarlett Camberos should be a familiar name to Thorns fans, having played the past two seasons in the NWSL for Angel City FC and Bay FC. American winger Sarah Luebbert has been a mainstay for the side, signing for the Mexican giants from the Chicago Red Stars in 2021. Veteran goalkeeper Sandra Paños is a recent addition to the squad, having signed from FC Barcelona Femení, where she made over 150 appearances.
Club América Femenil kicked off their Concacaf W Champions Cup campaign in spectacular fashion, securing a dominant 7-0 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes in Mexico City. The two-time Liga MX Femenil champions started their debut in the tournament with three points, taking an early lead in Group B on goal difference. Sarah Luebbert opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header, followed by goals from Nicolette Hernández, Kiana Palacios, and Camberos, all within the first half-hour. The scoring continued in the second half, with Irene Guerrero, Aylín Aviléz, and Mia Zuazua adding to the tally.
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