PORTLAND, Ore. (July 16, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that Canadian international midfielder Jessie Fleming has signed a contract extension with the Club through 2028.
"Jessie has been instrumental to everything we've built on and off the field,” said President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos. “She's one of the best midfielders in the league and a tremendous leader whose professionalism, competitiveness and commitment set the standard every day. Extending Jessie through 2028 is a significant step forward for the Thorns in our pursuit of an NWSL Championship and we're thrilled she'll continue to be a cornerstone of our roster.”
Fleming has established herself as a vital leader both on and off the pitch since her arrival in 2024. In addition to being a highly respected mentor and leader in the locker room, the 28-year-old has consistently helped dictate Portland’s on-field tempo by anchoring herself in central midfield to aid offensive play while helping the backline thwart opposition efforts. She has contested every possible minute of action (1,350) this season alone, one of only five ironwomen in the league to do so. Over the course of her Thorns career, Fleming has started in 55 of her 65 league appearances with two goals and six assists to her name.
Internationally, Fleming is the captain for the Canada women’s national team and is leading her country’s fight to qualify for their eighth consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be in Brazil for 2027. Fleming has been a consistent call up for Canada over the last decade, appearing in three World Cups (2015, 2019, 2023) and three Olympic Games (2016, 2021, 2024), helping Canada to a historic gold medal finish in 2021. She has started 139 of her 157 senior international games, scoring 20 times and assisting 15.
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. (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
PORTLAND, Ore. (July 16, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that Canadian international midfielder Jessie Fleming has signed a contract extension with the Club through 2028.
"Jessie has been instrumental to everything we've built on and off the field,” said President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos. “She's one of the best midfielders in the league and a tremendous leader whose professionalism, competitiveness and commitment set the standard every day. Extending Jessie through 2028 is a significant step forward for the Thorns in our pursuit of an NWSL Championship and we're thrilled she'll continue to be a cornerstone of our roster.”
Fleming has established herself as a vital leader both on and off the pitch since her arrival in 2024. In addition to being a highly respected mentor and leader in the locker room, the 28-year-old has consistently helped dictate Portland’s on-field tempo by anchoring herself in central midfield to aid offensive play while helping the backline thwart opposition efforts. She has contested every possible minute of action (1,350) this season alone, one of only five ironwomen in the league to do so. Over the course of her Thorns career, Fleming has started in 55 of her 65 league appearances with two goals and six assists to her name.
Internationally, Fleming is the captain for the Canada women’s national team and is leading her country’s fight to qualify for their eighth consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be in Brazil for 2027. Fleming has been a consistent call up for Canada over the last decade, appearing in three World Cups (2015, 2019, 2023) and three Olympic Games (2016, 2021, 2024), helping Canada to a historic gold medal finish in 2021. She has started 139 of her 157 senior international games, scoring 20 times and assisting 15.
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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