PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have added midfielder Marissa Sheva, a four-year veteran of the National Women’s Soccer League, to a one-year contract with a mutual second year option.
“It’s exciting to be able to offer Marissa a contract, and we are thrilled to have her as part of our team. She came to this Club, knowing the history of this Club, fighting to make the roster. Her skill sets, mentality, grit and diligence to her craft has paid off, which makes this an incredible story,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said.
Sheva, 26, comes to the Rose City after two seasons with the Washington Spirit, where she appeared in 18 matches, scoring her first professional goal during the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup. Prior to the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, Sheva signed with Utah Royals FC, but did not make any appearances. Before making the jump to the NWSL, Sheva spent a season with Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas in Spain, playing in one match for the Liga F side.
“Marissa has proved in preseason that she has the technical capability and tactical versatility to be a valuable addition to the Thorns family,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She also brings league and international level experience. We are really excited to see Marissa continue to flourish in the Portland Thorns jersey.”
Collegiately, Sheva attended Penn State, where she was a two-sport athlete, running track in addition to her responsibilities as a member of the soccer team. As a freshman, Sheva helped the Nittany Lions lift its first NCAA College Cup National Championship in 2015. Overall, Sheva scored 13 goals and assisted an additional nine in 92 matches played. She joins teammates Kat Asman, Sam Coffey and Payton Linnehan as former Nittany Lions now members of the Portland Thorns.
In early 2023 Sheva made the one-time switch to gain international eligibility to play for the Republic of Ireland, earning her first cap on February 22 in a 0-0 draw against China. She was later named to Ireland’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, Sheva would go one to appear in all three of their Group Stage matches.
The Thorns will begin the National Women’s Soccer League regular season on March 16 against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium before returning to Providence Park on March 24 for the home opener against NJ/NY Gotham FC, tickets for which are on sale now.
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. – Portland Thorns FC have added midfielder Marissa Sheva, a four-year veteran of the National Women’s Soccer League, to a one-year contract with a mutual second year option.
“It’s exciting to be able to offer Marissa a contract, and we are thrilled to have her as part of our team. She came to this Club, knowing the history of this Club, fighting to make the roster. Her skill sets, mentality, grit and diligence to her craft has paid off, which makes this an incredible story,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said.
Sheva, 26, comes to the Rose City after two seasons with the Washington Spirit, where she appeared in 18 matches, scoring her first professional goal during the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup. Prior to the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, Sheva signed with Utah Royals FC, but did not make any appearances. Before making the jump to the NWSL, Sheva spent a season with Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas in Spain, playing in one match for the Liga F side.
“Marissa has proved in preseason that she has the technical capability and tactical versatility to be a valuable addition to the Thorns family,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She also brings league and international level experience. We are really excited to see Marissa continue to flourish in the Portland Thorns jersey.”
Collegiately, Sheva attended Penn State, where she was a two-sport athlete, running track in addition to her responsibilities as a member of the soccer team. As a freshman, Sheva helped the Nittany Lions lift its first NCAA College Cup National Championship in 2015. Overall, Sheva scored 13 goals and assisted an additional nine in 92 matches played. She joins teammates Kat Asman, Sam Coffey and Payton Linnehan as former Nittany Lions now members of the Portland Thorns.
In early 2023 Sheva made the one-time switch to gain international eligibility to play for the Republic of Ireland, earning her first cap on February 22 in a 0-0 draw against China. She was later named to Ireland’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, Sheva would go one to appear in all three of their Group Stage matches.
The Thorns will begin the National Women’s Soccer League regular season on March 16 against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium before returning to Providence Park on March 24 for the home opener against NJ/NY Gotham FC, tickets for which are on sale now.
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