PORTLAND, Ore. (September 3, 2025) – The Portland Thorns announced today that it has acquired Colombian international forward Valerin Loboa for an undisclosed transfer fee from Colombia’s Deportivo Cali. The 18-year-old joins Portland through the 2028 season with a club option for 2029. The signing was completed before the close of the 2025 NWSL summer transfer window.
Loboa arrives fresh off an impressive campaign with Colombia at the 2025 CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina, making an appearance in all six matches and scoring her first international goal with starts in the last three contests. By helping Colombia reach the Copa América final, Loboa’s contributions also saw her country clinch qualification to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
“Valerin’s talent and potential was showcased in one of women’s football’s biggest stages and, in spite of interest from some of the best clubs in the world, we are pleased to see Valerin committed to come to the NWSL and become a Thorn,” said President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos.
Loboa debuted professionally at 14 with her hometown club Deportivo Cali in 2022. She has since scored eight goals and assisted four in 35 total matches and helped Cali lift the 2024 Colombian Liga Femenina title.
The acquisition of an up-and-coming international young star like Loboa aligns with Portland’s mission to build on its dominant history – the Thorns have a league-leading three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and an NWSL Challenge Cup (2021) — by attracting talented players to build out its young core and establish a competitive foundation for future success.
The Thorns are back in action this weekend, hitting the road to face Racing Louisville FC on Friday, September 5. Kickoff on Prime Video is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
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. (September 3, 2025) – The Portland Thorns announced today that it has acquired Colombian international forward Valerin Loboa for an undisclosed transfer fee from Colombia’s Deportivo Cali. The 18-year-old joins Portland through the 2028 season with a club option for 2029. The signing was completed before the close of the 2025 NWSL summer transfer window.
Loboa arrives fresh off an impressive campaign with Colombia at the 2025 CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina, making an appearance in all six matches and scoring her first international goal with starts in the last three contests. By helping Colombia reach the Copa América final, Loboa’s contributions also saw her country clinch qualification to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
“Valerin’s talent and potential was showcased in one of women’s football’s biggest stages and, in spite of interest from some of the best clubs in the world, we are pleased to see Valerin committed to come to the NWSL and become a Thorn,” said President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos.
Loboa debuted professionally at 14 with her hometown club Deportivo Cali in 2022. She has since scored eight goals and assisted four in 35 total matches and helped Cali lift the 2024 Colombian Liga Femenina title.
The acquisition of an up-and-coming international young star like Loboa aligns with Portland’s mission to build on its dominant history – the Thorns have a league-leading three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and an NWSL Challenge Cup (2021) — by attracting talented players to build out its young core and establish a competitive foundation for future success.
The Thorns are back in action this weekend, hitting the road to face Racing Louisville FC on Friday, September 5. Kickoff on Prime Video is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
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