Portland Thorns FC have acquired German defender Marie Müller from SC Freiburg in the Frauen-Bundesliga for an undisclosed fee, pending the receipt of her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Müller has signed with the club through the 2025 season, with a mutual option for the 2026 season. Additionally, Müller will occupy an international spot.
“We are thrilled to be able to welcome Marie to Portland,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said. “She is a well-experienced player who has appeared in more than 100 matches in a notoriously competitive league. She is enthusiastic to play in front of our incredible fans, and be a part of this team and this community.”
Müller made her professional debut on March 25, 2017 with SC Freiburg at just 17 years old, coming on as a second-half substitute in the 6-0 over FC Köln. Since then she has gone on to appear in 112 matches, across all competitions, recording 14 goals and eight assists. This year, Müller has played in 11 matches, including in the opening match of the season, a 2-2 draw with German powerhouse, Bayern Munich.
“Marie is a very exciting young player that we are very pleased to add to our roster,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She is a versatile and tenacious wide player with an attacking mindset. She has all the physical capabilities to excel in our team and to match the demands of this league.”
At the international level, Müller has competed at various stages throughout the Germany Youth National Team System, including at the U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the UEFA U-19 Women’s Championship. While with the U-17 squad, Müller helped Germany win the 2016 UEFA U-17 Women’s Championship.
The Thorns are slated to begin the season on March 16 against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium (10am PT, ABC) before returning to Providence Park on March 24 for the home opener against NJ/NY Gotham FC (4pm PT, ESPN2). Portland Thorns FC fans can currently purchase Annual Memberships for the 2024 season by visiting thornsfc.com/tickets or calling 503.553.5555.
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 FC have acquired German defender Marie Müller from SC Freiburg in the Frauen-Bundesliga for an undisclosed fee, pending the receipt of her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Müller has signed with the club through the 2025 season, with a mutual option for the 2026 season. Additionally, Müller will occupy an international spot.
“We are thrilled to be able to welcome Marie to Portland,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said. “She is a well-experienced player who has appeared in more than 100 matches in a notoriously competitive league. She is enthusiastic to play in front of our incredible fans, and be a part of this team and this community.”
Müller made her professional debut on March 25, 2017 with SC Freiburg at just 17 years old, coming on as a second-half substitute in the 6-0 over FC Köln. Since then she has gone on to appear in 112 matches, across all competitions, recording 14 goals and eight assists. This year, Müller has played in 11 matches, including in the opening match of the season, a 2-2 draw with German powerhouse, Bayern Munich.
“Marie is a very exciting young player that we are very pleased to add to our roster,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She is a versatile and tenacious wide player with an attacking mindset. She has all the physical capabilities to excel in our team and to match the demands of this league.”
At the international level, Müller has competed at various stages throughout the Germany Youth National Team System, including at the U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the UEFA U-19 Women’s Championship. While with the U-17 squad, Müller helped Germany win the 2016 UEFA U-17 Women’s Championship.
The Thorns are slated to begin the season on March 16 against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium (10am PT, ABC) before returning to Providence Park on March 24 for the home opener against NJ/NY Gotham FC (4pm PT, ESPN2). Portland Thorns FC fans can currently purchase Annual Memberships for the 2024 season by visiting thornsfc.com/tickets or calling 503.553.5555.
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