Providence Park hosts its first NWSL match in 2024 as the Portland Thorns FC welcome NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday for its home opener. It's a battle of the last two league champions; kickoff is scheduled for 4pm PT and can be watched on ESPN2, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes.
Here is all you need to know ahead of Sunday's clash at Providence Park
Sunday's guests are one of two clubs who have not yet debuted in the 2024 NWSL season. Gotham and San Diego played in the 2024 UKG Challenge Cup to kickoff the season back on March 16. Whether the change in competition affects their play at Providence Park is yet to be seen, but as the reigning NWSL Champions, Gotham FC is not to be taken lightly in a 2023 NWSL Semifinal rematch.
During the offseason, NJ/NY bolstered their squad in preparations for their title defense. Goalkeeper Cassie Miller, defender Tierna Davidson, and midfielders Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett and Rose Lavelle were some of the additions for the bats.
11-5-6
In the all-time series between Portland and NJ/NY, the Thorns hold the edge with 11 wins to Gotham's 5 (6 draws). When playing at Providence Park, Portland's record is 6-1-3.
4
In last weekend's season opener, five different players made their Thorns debut against Kansas City. Jessie Fleming, Marie Müller, Isabella Obaze, and Nicole Payne all were on the field at the initial whistle, while rookie Olivia Wade-Katoa logged her first minutes for Portland.
16
Nearly a year to the day of her ACL injury, Thorns No. 16 Janine Beckie made her return as a second-half substitute last weekend and delivered a comeback performance for the ages, recording a brace and an assist.
FIREPOWER
Although it has only been one game, Portland currently has two players already stirring up golden boot talk. Last year's top-scorer Sophia Smith recorded a brace as did Beckie. Both are in a three-way tie for the NWSL's top-scorer through Week 1.
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
Providence Park hosts its first NWSL match in 2024 as the Portland Thorns FC welcome NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday for its home opener. It's a battle of the last two league champions; kickoff is scheduled for 4pm PT and can be watched on ESPN2, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes.
Here is all you need to know ahead of Sunday's clash at Providence Park
Sunday's guests are one of two clubs who have not yet debuted in the 2024 NWSL season. Gotham and San Diego played in the 2024 UKG Challenge Cup to kickoff the season back on March 16. Whether the change in competition affects their play at Providence Park is yet to be seen, but as the reigning NWSL Champions, Gotham FC is not to be taken lightly in a 2023 NWSL Semifinal rematch.
During the offseason, NJ/NY bolstered their squad in preparations for their title defense. Goalkeeper Cassie Miller, defender Tierna Davidson, and midfielders Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett and Rose Lavelle were some of the additions for the bats.
11-5-6
In the all-time series between Portland and NJ/NY, the Thorns hold the edge with 11 wins to Gotham's 5 (6 draws). When playing at Providence Park, Portland's record is 6-1-3.
4
In last weekend's season opener, five different players made their Thorns debut against Kansas City. Jessie Fleming, Marie Müller, Isabella Obaze, and Nicole Payne all were on the field at the initial whistle, while rookie Olivia Wade-Katoa logged her first minutes for Portland.
16
Nearly a year to the day of her ACL injury, Thorns No. 16 Janine Beckie made her return as a second-half substitute last weekend and delivered a comeback performance for the ages, recording a brace and an assist.
FIREPOWER
Although it has only been one game, Portland currently has two players already stirring up golden boot talk. Last year's top-scorer Sophia Smith recorded a brace as did Beckie. Both are in a three-way tie for the NWSL's top-scorer through Week 1.
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