PORTLAND, Ore. (July 14, 2025) – The Portland Thorns announced today that defender Mallie McKenzie has signed a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season.
McKenzie, 24, signed for Portland at the start of the 2024 season after impressing as a non-roster invitee in preseason. As a rookie, she started all matches for the Thorns in the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup and registered her first career assist in the tournament before making her NWSL league debut a month later. McKenzie also contributed in Portland’s advancement to the 2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup Finals.
McKenzie signed her first contract extension with Portland through 2025 in the offseason and has since made regular appearances for the Thorns on the pitch, playing in 12 of 15 matches across all competitions this year.
As a result of Portland’s exemplary success since its inaugural 2013 season – the Thorns are the league’s winningest team with honors that include a record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and an NWSL Challenge Cup (2021) – Mckenzie’s decision to extend with Portland was a straightforward decision.
“I’m so excited to continue my professional career with the Thorns,” McKenzie said. “The club provides the best environment to further my development while getting to play in front of the best fans in the league at Providence Park. Our team has amazing chemistry, and I have fallen in love with the city of Portland. I am thrilled to be here another year.”
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. (July 14, 2025) – The Portland Thorns announced today that defender Mallie McKenzie has signed a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season.
McKenzie, 24, signed for Portland at the start of the 2024 season after impressing as a non-roster invitee in preseason. As a rookie, she started all matches for the Thorns in the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup and registered her first career assist in the tournament before making her NWSL league debut a month later. McKenzie also contributed in Portland’s advancement to the 2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup Finals.
McKenzie signed her first contract extension with Portland through 2025 in the offseason and has since made regular appearances for the Thorns on the pitch, playing in 12 of 15 matches across all competitions this year.
As a result of Portland’s exemplary success since its inaugural 2013 season – the Thorns are the league’s winningest team with honors that include a record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and an NWSL Challenge Cup (2021) – Mckenzie’s decision to extend with Portland was a straightforward decision.
“I’m so excited to continue my professional career with the Thorns,” McKenzie said. “The club provides the best environment to further my development while getting to play in front of the best fans in the league at Providence Park. Our team has amazing chemistry, and I have fallen in love with the city of Portland. I am thrilled to be here another year.”
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