LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Saturday, October 19, 2024) – Portland Thorns (9-12-5, 31 points, 7th place) dropped a 1-0 result on the road to Racing Louisville in the second-to-last regular season game of the season.
The Thorns dominated possession for much of the first half, limited Racing Louisville to half chances, as the two sides battled it out in the middle of the park. Rookie Payton Linnehan tried her hand at goal several times, but her shots fell directly into the hands of Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund.
Racing’s best chance of the first half came in the 30th minute when Savannah Demelo’s free kick opportunity forced goalkeeper Shelby Hogan to make a diving save. With neither side able to break through, the two teams ended the halftime break scoreless.
Louisville nearly found the opening goal in the 56th minute, when Bethany Balcer headed a shot towards the lower-left corner, but Hogan was able to push the ball into the post and scoop up the loose ball.
Second-half substitute Sophia Smith almost curled her shot in the back of the net in the 72nd minute, but Lund was able to snuff out the opportunity. In the 89th minute Taylor Flint broke through the stalemate, heading in a corner from former Thorn Janine Beckie, stealing the late-game win for the home side.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns return to Providence Park for the final regular season match against Angel City on Friday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. PT. The match will mark the final home match for Club legend Christine Sinclair, as such the Thorns will honor and celebrate her career throughout the night, including with a post game ceremony and activations throughout the match.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN:
LOU: Taylor Flint (Janine Beckie) 89th minute: From a corner kick, Beckie sent the ball into the box, where Flint headed her shot into the back of the net.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn, Isabella Obaze, Nicole Payne, Jessie Fleming, Sam Coffey, Izzy D’Aquila (Morgan Weaver 71’), Olivia Moultrie, Payton Linnehan (Sophia Smith 62’), Christine Sinclair (Reilyn Turner 62’)Subs not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Marissa Sheva, Sophie Hirst, Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller, Alexa SpaanstraRacing Louisville (4-3-3): Katie Lund, Courtney Petersen, Abby Erceg, Arin Wright, Lauren Milliet, Taylor Flint, Marisa DiGrande (Ary Borges 84’), Janine Beckie Maddie Pokorny Savannah DeMelo (Kayla Fischer 71’), Emma Sears, Bethany BalcerSubs not used: Jordyn Bloomer, Ellie Jean, Linda Motlhalo, Angela Baron, Parker Goins, Elexa Bahr
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
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Saturday, October 19, 2024) – Portland Thorns (9-12-5, 31 points, 7th place) dropped a 1-0 result on the road to Racing Louisville in the second-to-last regular season game of the season.
The Thorns dominated possession for much of the first half, limited Racing Louisville to half chances, as the two sides battled it out in the middle of the park. Rookie Payton Linnehan tried her hand at goal several times, but her shots fell directly into the hands of Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund.
Racing’s best chance of the first half came in the 30th minute when Savannah Demelo’s free kick opportunity forced goalkeeper Shelby Hogan to make a diving save. With neither side able to break through, the two teams ended the halftime break scoreless.
Louisville nearly found the opening goal in the 56th minute, when Bethany Balcer headed a shot towards the lower-left corner, but Hogan was able to push the ball into the post and scoop up the loose ball.
Second-half substitute Sophia Smith almost curled her shot in the back of the net in the 72nd minute, but Lund was able to snuff out the opportunity. In the 89th minute Taylor Flint broke through the stalemate, heading in a corner from former Thorn Janine Beckie, stealing the late-game win for the home side.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns return to Providence Park for the final regular season match against Angel City on Friday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. PT. The match will mark the final home match for Club legend Christine Sinclair, as such the Thorns will honor and celebrate her career throughout the night, including with a post game ceremony and activations throughout the match.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN:
LOU: Taylor Flint (Janine Beckie) 89th minute: From a corner kick, Beckie sent the ball into the box, where Flint headed her shot into the back of the net.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn, Isabella Obaze, Nicole Payne, Jessie Fleming, Sam Coffey, Izzy D’Aquila (Morgan Weaver 71’), Olivia Moultrie, Payton Linnehan (Sophia Smith 62’), Christine Sinclair (Reilyn Turner 62’)Subs not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Marissa Sheva, Sophie Hirst, Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller, Alexa SpaanstraRacing Louisville (4-3-3): Katie Lund, Courtney Petersen, Abby Erceg, Arin Wright, Lauren Milliet, Taylor Flint, Marisa DiGrande (Ary Borges 84’), Janine Beckie Maddie Pokorny Savannah DeMelo (Kayla Fischer 71’), Emma Sears, Bethany BalcerSubs not used: Jordyn Bloomer, Ellie Jean, Linda Motlhalo, Angela Baron, Parker Goins, Elexa Bahr
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