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PORTLAND THORNS CELEBRATE SINCLAIR WITH 3-0 WIN OVER ANGEL CITY
Sinclair celebrates 200 NWSL regular-season appearance
with a goal to send Portland into the playoffs.
PORTLAND, Oregon (Friday, November 1, 2024) – The Portland Thorns (10-12-4, 34 points, 6th place) clinched a place in the NWSL postseason with a 3-0 win over Angel City FC to close out the regular season. First half goals from Christine Sinclair, Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver secured the points on a night honoring Sinclair’s final regular-season match of her storied career.
The Thorns dominated possession and the offensive chances in the first half, outshooting Angel City 7-2, going into halftime with a 3-0 lead. Celebrating her 200th NWSL regular season appearance, Sinclair opened the scoring in the 16th minute, scooping up a blocked shot to calmy chip it into the back of the net.
Smith doubled the Thorns’ lead in the 26th minute from a strong counter attack after Sam Coffey had won the ball back in midfield. Coffey fed Smith into space on the left, who took three touches into the box before finishing with a low shot across goal into the lower right corner.
Weaver sent Portland into halftime and ultimately full-time with a 3-0 lead from a Hina Sugita cross. Patient play from Smith shifted the ball from right to left through Jessie Fleming and Sinclair until Hina lofted a cross for Weaver to head home at the far post.
Despite the visiting team coming out with three half-chances to start the second half, none challenged goalkeeper Shelby Hogan, who kept her ninth clean sheet of the season, second-most in the NWSL. Sinclair received a standing ovation as she was subbed out in the 83rd minute, replaced by Meghan Klingenberg.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns head into the NWSL playoffs, but will have to wait on other results to know their final seeding placement.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN:
POR: Christine Sinclair, 16th minute: From a Sophia Smith shot initially saved by Didi Haracic, Sinclair collected the rebound to lift a left-footed shot over the stranded goalkeeper.
POR: Sophia Smith, 26th minute: After Sam Coffey won the ball back at the halfway line, she played Smith into space on the left to dribble into the box and slot a low shot into the lower right corner.
POR: Morgan Weaver, 45+4 minute: From a Hina Sugita cross from the left, Weaver came in to head the ball home at the far post.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Nicole Payne, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller, Jessie Fleming, Sam Coffey (Sophie Hurst, 90+3), Hina Sugita (Olivia Moultrie, 72’), Morgan Weaver (Alexa Spaanstra, 72’), Sophia Smith (Payton Linnehan 46’), Christine Sinclair © (Meghan Klingenberg, 83’)
Subs not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze, Izzy D’Aquila, Reilyn Turner
Angel City FC (4-3-3): Didi Haracic, Gisele Thompson, Megan Reid, Sarah Gorden (c), Jasmyne Spencer (Elizabeth Eddy, 74’), Katie Zelem, Meggie Dougherty Howard (Lily Nabet, 77’), Madison Hammond, M.A. Vignola (Alyssa Thompson, 64’), Sydney Leroux (Messiah Bright, 64’), Christen Press (Claire Emslie, 64’)
Subs not used: Angelina Anderson, Rocky Rodriguez, Casey Phair, Katie Johnson
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 THORNS CELEBRATE SINCLAIR WITH 3-0 WIN OVER ANGEL CITY
Sinclair celebrates 200 NWSL regular-season appearance
with a goal to send Portland into the playoffs.
PORTLAND, Oregon (Friday, November 1, 2024) – The Portland Thorns (10-12-4, 34 points, 6th place) clinched a place in the NWSL postseason with a 3-0 win over Angel City FC to close out the regular season. First half goals from Christine Sinclair, Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver secured the points on a night honoring Sinclair’s final regular-season match of her storied career.
The Thorns dominated possession and the offensive chances in the first half, outshooting Angel City 7-2, going into halftime with a 3-0 lead. Celebrating her 200th NWSL regular season appearance, Sinclair opened the scoring in the 16th minute, scooping up a blocked shot to calmy chip it into the back of the net.
Smith doubled the Thorns’ lead in the 26th minute from a strong counter attack after Sam Coffey had won the ball back in midfield. Coffey fed Smith into space on the left, who took three touches into the box before finishing with a low shot across goal into the lower right corner.
Weaver sent Portland into halftime and ultimately full-time with a 3-0 lead from a Hina Sugita cross. Patient play from Smith shifted the ball from right to left through Jessie Fleming and Sinclair until Hina lofted a cross for Weaver to head home at the far post.
Despite the visiting team coming out with three half-chances to start the second half, none challenged goalkeeper Shelby Hogan, who kept her ninth clean sheet of the season, second-most in the NWSL. Sinclair received a standing ovation as she was subbed out in the 83rd minute, replaced by Meghan Klingenberg.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns head into the NWSL playoffs, but will have to wait on other results to know their final seeding placement.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN:
POR: Christine Sinclair, 16th minute: From a Sophia Smith shot initially saved by Didi Haracic, Sinclair collected the rebound to lift a left-footed shot over the stranded goalkeeper.
POR: Sophia Smith, 26th minute: After Sam Coffey won the ball back at the halfway line, she played Smith into space on the left to dribble into the box and slot a low shot into the lower right corner.
POR: Morgan Weaver, 45+4 minute: From a Hina Sugita cross from the left, Weaver came in to head the ball home at the far post.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Nicole Payne, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller, Jessie Fleming, Sam Coffey (Sophie Hurst, 90+3), Hina Sugita (Olivia Moultrie, 72’), Morgan Weaver (Alexa Spaanstra, 72’), Sophia Smith (Payton Linnehan 46’), Christine Sinclair © (Meghan Klingenberg, 83’)
Subs not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze, Izzy D’Aquila, Reilyn Turner
Angel City FC (4-3-3): Didi Haracic, Gisele Thompson, Megan Reid, Sarah Gorden (c), Jasmyne Spencer (Elizabeth Eddy, 74’), Katie Zelem, Meggie Dougherty Howard (Lily Nabet, 77’), Madison Hammond, M.A. Vignola (Alyssa Thompson, 64’), Sydney Leroux (Messiah Bright, 64’), Christen Press (Claire Emslie, 64’)
Subs not used: Angelina Anderson, Rocky Rodriguez, Casey Phair, Katie Johnson
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