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Community-Focused Partnership Supports Families, Women, and the Next Generation of Fans
Portland, OR - The Portland Thorns and Portland Fire announced today that Nuna, a global leader in premium baby gear, has been named an official partner of the Portland Thorns and Fire, bringing together brands committed to supporting families, empowering women, and building meaningful connections across the Portland community.
As part of the agreement, Nuna will activate with the Thorns and Fire through co-branded marketing campaigns across digital, social, and in-market platforms.
“Community lies at the heart of our organization, which means investing in the people and families who make it strong,” said RAJ Sports Managing Director, Mike Whitehead. “Nuna’s commitment to supporting parents and creating thoughtful experiences for families aligns naturally with the values we want to define our franchise.”
“At Nuna, we’re driven by a belief that the future belongs to the next generation, and that it should be bold and full of possibility,” said Austin Hodges, CMO at Nuna. “Our partnership with the Portland Thorns and Portland Fire is a natural extension of that commitment, and we’re excited and proud to stand alongside them as they elevate the game and inspire young fans everywhere.”
As part of the partnership, Nuna will serve as the title partner of one Portland Thorns and one Portland Fire regular-season home game each year, featuring in-arena activations, fan experiences, and digital and social integrations.
Beyond game day, the teams and Nuna will collaborate on several community initiatives, including the Nuna Baby Registry experience, an event designed to bring expecting families together for product demonstrations, educational resources, and appearances from players and wellness experts. Nuna will also support RAJ Sports’ EmpowHER Awards and participate in the Her Voice Council, a networking series connecting professional women across the Portland community.
With the Fire, the partnership will also include in-arena signage at Moda Center, digital and email marketing integration, retail activations, and family-focused programming at the Fire and Thorns’ Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, including support for the facility’s Mother’s Room and community events such as Moms in Motion gatherings.
Together, the Thorns and Fire, with Nuna, will work to create experiences that celebrate families, empower women, and strengthen community connections throughout Portland.
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About the 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, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
About the Portland Fire
Portland Fire is one of the Women’s National Basketball League’s newest franchises, making its official on court debut in 2026. Owned by RAJ Sports – led by Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage – the team is more than a franchise; it’s the revival of a movement, honoring the legacy of the original Portland Fire while blazing a bold new path forward. Based in Portland, Oregon, the global epicenter of women’s sports, Portland Fire is rooted in the Rose City’s enduring resilience, spirit, and passion for sport.
Looking ahead, RAJ Sports will open the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center in 2026. The 100,000 square-foot performance center will house both the Fire and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns, and will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
About Nuna
Nuna, the global brand with Dutch roots, has been focusing on creating smart, helpful, and bold baby gear since 2007. First-hand experiences in parenthood show that practicality and beauty strike the perfect balance when it comes to Nuna’s clever solutions, which span across car seat, stroller, in-home, on you, and wardrobe categories. Inspired by the clean lines and ingenuity of Dutch design, the collection is as easy and flexible as new parents need it to be. With thoughtful solutions built into every detail, Nuna designs around your life. To learn more, visit nunababy.com.
Media Contact
Portland Fire – portlandfire@berkcommunications.com
Portland Thorns - mradmanovich@thorns.com
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
Community-Focused Partnership Supports Families, Women, and the Next Generation of Fans
Portland, OR - The Portland Thorns and Portland Fire announced today that Nuna, a global leader in premium baby gear, has been named an official partner of the Portland Thorns and Fire, bringing together brands committed to supporting families, empowering women, and building meaningful connections across the Portland community.
As part of the agreement, Nuna will activate with the Thorns and Fire through co-branded marketing campaigns across digital, social, and in-market platforms.
“Community lies at the heart of our organization, which means investing in the people and families who make it strong,” said RAJ Sports Managing Director, Mike Whitehead. “Nuna’s commitment to supporting parents and creating thoughtful experiences for families aligns naturally with the values we want to define our franchise.”
“At Nuna, we’re driven by a belief that the future belongs to the next generation, and that it should be bold and full of possibility,” said Austin Hodges, CMO at Nuna. “Our partnership with the Portland Thorns and Portland Fire is a natural extension of that commitment, and we’re excited and proud to stand alongside them as they elevate the game and inspire young fans everywhere.”
As part of the partnership, Nuna will serve as the title partner of one Portland Thorns and one Portland Fire regular-season home game each year, featuring in-arena activations, fan experiences, and digital and social integrations.
Beyond game day, the teams and Nuna will collaborate on several community initiatives, including the Nuna Baby Registry experience, an event designed to bring expecting families together for product demonstrations, educational resources, and appearances from players and wellness experts. Nuna will also support RAJ Sports’ EmpowHER Awards and participate in the Her Voice Council, a networking series connecting professional women across the Portland community.
With the Fire, the partnership will also include in-arena signage at Moda Center, digital and email marketing integration, retail activations, and family-focused programming at the Fire and Thorns’ Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, including support for the facility’s Mother’s Room and community events such as Moms in Motion gatherings.
Together, the Thorns and Fire, with Nuna, will work to create experiences that celebrate families, empower women, and strengthen community connections throughout Portland.
###
About the 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, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
About the Portland Fire
Portland Fire is one of the Women’s National Basketball League’s newest franchises, making its official on court debut in 2026. Owned by RAJ Sports – led by Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage – the team is more than a franchise; it’s the revival of a movement, honoring the legacy of the original Portland Fire while blazing a bold new path forward. Based in Portland, Oregon, the global epicenter of women’s sports, Portland Fire is rooted in the Rose City’s enduring resilience, spirit, and passion for sport.
Looking ahead, RAJ Sports will open the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center in 2026. The 100,000 square-foot performance center will house both the Fire and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns, and will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
About Nuna
Nuna, the global brand with Dutch roots, has been focusing on creating smart, helpful, and bold baby gear since 2007. First-hand experiences in parenthood show that practicality and beauty strike the perfect balance when it comes to Nuna’s clever solutions, which span across car seat, stroller, in-home, on you, and wardrobe categories. Inspired by the clean lines and ingenuity of Dutch design, the collection is as easy and flexible as new parents need it to be. With thoughtful solutions built into every detail, Nuna designs around your life. To learn more, visit nunababy.com.
Media Contact
Portland Fire – portlandfire@berkcommunications.com
Portland Thorns - mradmanovich@thorns.com
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