Portland Thorns Acquire Lockdown Defender M.A. Vignola from Angel City FC
The trade sees Hina Sugita depart for Angel City FC
PORTLAND, Ore. (September 30, 2025) – Portland Thorns today announced the acquisition of veteran defender M.A. Vignola from Angel City FC in exchange for midfielder Hina Sugita and intra-league transfer funds. Vignola, who has spent the past three seasons with Angel City FC, brings pace, defensive versatility, and experience to Portland’s backline. Prior to her time in Los Angeles, Vignola had a standout collegiate career at University of Tennessee.
“M.A. is exactly the type of player we’ve been looking to add,” said Thorns General Manager Jeff Agoos. “She addresses a critical need in our squad - a physical, no-nonsense defender who isn’t afraid to do the dirty work and sets a standard with her competitiveness. She’s the kind of teammate you want in any battle, and her addition positions us for success as we enter into the playoffs and beyond.”
Added Vignola: “Portland has a huge and long history of winning and this is going to be a great opportunity to show what I’m capable of. I think I bring a little feistiness and I’m the type of player that doesn’t like to back down – and I’m ready to face any challenge with this group as we move forward.”
Vignola has consistently been one of Angel City’s top performers. Her breakout 2023 season saw her enter the U.S. Women’s National Team picture and make her senior international debut in a 3-0-win vs South Africa in her hometown of Cincinnati. She departs from Angel City as their 2025 interception and tackles attempted leader.
In addition to Vignola’s arrival, the transfer also includes $600,000 in intraleague transfer funds, providing the Thorns with roster flexibility to strengthen the squad moving forward.
Sugita departs Portland as a fan favorite and champion, having joined the club in 2022 and playing an instrumental role in the Thorns’ run to the 2022 NWSL Championship. Known for her vision, creativity, and tireless presence in the midfield, she quickly became a cornerstone for the team and an inspiration to supporters.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision to make,” added Agoos. “Hina is a special person and we don’t take these decisions lightly. However, the opportunity to continue to pursue our long-term plans of putting a championship caliber team on the field and giving Hina the opportunity to continue her growth as a player were factors in our decision making. We will always think of Hina as a Thorn and wish her the best in her new opportunity."
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park. Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.
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 Acquire Lockdown Defender M.A. Vignola from Angel City FC
The trade sees Hina Sugita depart for Angel City FC
PORTLAND, Ore. (September 30, 2025) – Portland Thorns today announced the acquisition of veteran defender M.A. Vignola from Angel City FC in exchange for midfielder Hina Sugita and intra-league transfer funds. Vignola, who has spent the past three seasons with Angel City FC, brings pace, defensive versatility, and experience to Portland’s backline. Prior to her time in Los Angeles, Vignola had a standout collegiate career at University of Tennessee.
“M.A. is exactly the type of player we’ve been looking to add,” said Thorns General Manager Jeff Agoos. “She addresses a critical need in our squad - a physical, no-nonsense defender who isn’t afraid to do the dirty work and sets a standard with her competitiveness. She’s the kind of teammate you want in any battle, and her addition positions us for success as we enter into the playoffs and beyond.”
Added Vignola: “Portland has a huge and long history of winning and this is going to be a great opportunity to show what I’m capable of. I think I bring a little feistiness and I’m the type of player that doesn’t like to back down – and I’m ready to face any challenge with this group as we move forward.”
Vignola has consistently been one of Angel City’s top performers. Her breakout 2023 season saw her enter the U.S. Women’s National Team picture and make her senior international debut in a 3-0-win vs South Africa in her hometown of Cincinnati. She departs from Angel City as their 2025 interception and tackles attempted leader.
In addition to Vignola’s arrival, the transfer also includes $600,000 in intraleague transfer funds, providing the Thorns with roster flexibility to strengthen the squad moving forward.
Sugita departs Portland as a fan favorite and champion, having joined the club in 2022 and playing an instrumental role in the Thorns’ run to the 2022 NWSL Championship. Known for her vision, creativity, and tireless presence in the midfield, she quickly became a cornerstone for the team and an inspiration to supporters.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision to make,” added Agoos. “Hina is a special person and we don’t take these decisions lightly. However, the opportunity to continue to pursue our long-term plans of putting a championship caliber team on the field and giving Hina the opportunity to continue her growth as a player were factors in our decision making. We will always think of Hina as a Thorn and wish her the best in her new opportunity."
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park. Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.
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