PORTLAND, OR - Today, Portland Thorns FC Governor Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alternate Governor Alex Bhathal announced the addition of several new investors into the club, bringing new expertise and capacity into the organization. The group was assembled by Revitate, an alternative investment platform led by the Bhathals focused on transformative investments into sports, real estate, and consumer brands.
“We are thrilled to welcome such an incredible group into the Portland Thorns,” said Ms. Bhathal Merage. “Each will bring new insight and expertise into the Thorns as we embark on an exciting new chapter for the club and league.”
“Investor interest in the Thorns is off the charts,” said Revitate Partner and Chief Operating Officer Kunal Merchant, who, as head of the firm’s sports activities, advised the Bhathals’ acquisition of the Thorns and led assembly of the Revitate investor group. “We are gratified and inspired to see so much belief in the future of the Thorns and in women’s sports more broadly.”
The Revitate investors will join the Bhathals and Anup Popat (CEO, Systems Technology Group), offering decades of experience in business, sports, real estate, and philanthropy. The group includes:
• Sam Garvin, Co-Owner, Phoenix Suns
• Tim Boyle, CEO, Columbia Sportswear
• Nehal Raj, Co-Managing Partner, TPG
• Kunal Merchant, Partner and COO, Revitate
• Josh Childress, CEO, Landspire Group and former NBA player
“In the little over a decade since the Portland Thorns FC began to compete as an inaugural member of the NWSL, the Thorns have been reflective of Portland and enhanced its reputation as the home of strong, 'tough' women, as Gert 'One Tough Mother' Boyle would say,” said Mr. Boyle, a Portland native and lifelong resident. “I’m incredibly proud to join with Lisa, Alex, and my other partners in helping the club further its considerable positive impact in our community both on and off the pitch.”
"The opportunity to invest in the best women's soccer club in the world doesn’t come around very often," said Mr. Childress, who played eight years in the National Basketball Association and co-owns the Southeast Melbourne Phoenix of the Australian NBL. "I'm honored to join the Thorns organization and leverage my professional sports experience to help foster new opportunities for the next generation of athletes.”
Revitate investors will support the club’s growth plans both on and off the pitch, including buildout of new business and philanthropic initiatives, and development of a new state-of-the-art training facility
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, OR - Today, Portland Thorns FC Governor Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alternate Governor Alex Bhathal announced the addition of several new investors into the club, bringing new expertise and capacity into the organization. The group was assembled by Revitate, an alternative investment platform led by the Bhathals focused on transformative investments into sports, real estate, and consumer brands.
“We are thrilled to welcome such an incredible group into the Portland Thorns,” said Ms. Bhathal Merage. “Each will bring new insight and expertise into the Thorns as we embark on an exciting new chapter for the club and league.”
“Investor interest in the Thorns is off the charts,” said Revitate Partner and Chief Operating Officer Kunal Merchant, who, as head of the firm’s sports activities, advised the Bhathals’ acquisition of the Thorns and led assembly of the Revitate investor group. “We are gratified and inspired to see so much belief in the future of the Thorns and in women’s sports more broadly.”
The Revitate investors will join the Bhathals and Anup Popat (CEO, Systems Technology Group), offering decades of experience in business, sports, real estate, and philanthropy. The group includes:
• Sam Garvin, Co-Owner, Phoenix Suns
• Tim Boyle, CEO, Columbia Sportswear
• Nehal Raj, Co-Managing Partner, TPG
• Kunal Merchant, Partner and COO, Revitate
• Josh Childress, CEO, Landspire Group and former NBA player
“In the little over a decade since the Portland Thorns FC began to compete as an inaugural member of the NWSL, the Thorns have been reflective of Portland and enhanced its reputation as the home of strong, 'tough' women, as Gert 'One Tough Mother' Boyle would say,” said Mr. Boyle, a Portland native and lifelong resident. “I’m incredibly proud to join with Lisa, Alex, and my other partners in helping the club further its considerable positive impact in our community both on and off the pitch.”
"The opportunity to invest in the best women's soccer club in the world doesn’t come around very often," said Mr. Childress, who played eight years in the National Basketball Association and co-owns the Southeast Melbourne Phoenix of the Australian NBL. "I'm honored to join the Thorns organization and leverage my professional sports experience to help foster new opportunities for the next generation of athletes.”
Revitate investors will support the club’s growth plans both on and off the pitch, including buildout of new business and philanthropic initiatives, and development of a new state-of-the-art training facility
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