PORTLAND, Ore. (April 14, 2025) – Portland Thorns FC announced today the addition of three new members to the first team technical staff for the 2025 NWSL season.
Adam Day joins as Portland’s new First Assistant Coach, having last served as an Assistant Coach for the Wales Women’s National Team (2024-25) which recently clinched qualification to its first major championship, the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. Within the past year, he also served as Head Coach of FC Tigers Vancouver (2020-25) and Director of Football for South Delta United Soccer Club (2024-25).
Day served as a Technical Assistant for the Canada Women’s National Team (2021-23) where he helped Les Rouges clinch their historic Olympic Gold Medal in 2021 and a runner-up finish in the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship. A UEFA A-License holder, his career has seen him hold coaching roles with notable professional sides like Arsenal (2010-12), Charlton Athletic (2003-07) and Vancouver Whitecaps (2009-18) as well as various experiences at the youth and collegiate level.
Jordan Felgate arrived in Portland as the team’s new Goalkeeping Coach ahead of the Thorns’ 2025 Home Opener vs Angel City FC. Prior to becoming a Thorn, he recently worked as the U18 Goalkeeping Coach for the Football Association of Wales (2024-25). Felgate served as the Head of Academy Goalkeeping for Norwich City (2022-24) and Blackburn Rovers (2017-22) plus has experience coaching senior and academy squads at clubs like Manchester United (2017), Stockport County (2012-17), Manchester City (2008-13), Lancashire FA (2008-09) and Bolton Wanderers (2007-08) with an additional international experience as the U-17 Goalkeeping Coach for the Gibraltar Football Association in the 2023 U-17 UEFA Euro Qualifiers. Felgate currently holds a UEFA B License.
With over nine years of experience coaching youth, college and professional athletes on mental performance, Dr. Rachel Hoeft joins the Thorns staff as Mental Performance Coach on a contractual basis to help players better develop and utilize mental skills and strengths to optimize performance and empower rehabilitation. She holds three psychology degrees including a Psy.D in Sport & Performance Psychology from the University of Arizona Global Campus.
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. (April 14, 2025) – Portland Thorns FC announced today the addition of three new members to the first team technical staff for the 2025 NWSL season.
Adam Day joins as Portland’s new First Assistant Coach, having last served as an Assistant Coach for the Wales Women’s National Team (2024-25) which recently clinched qualification to its first major championship, the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. Within the past year, he also served as Head Coach of FC Tigers Vancouver (2020-25) and Director of Football for South Delta United Soccer Club (2024-25).
Day served as a Technical Assistant for the Canada Women’s National Team (2021-23) where he helped Les Rouges clinch their historic Olympic Gold Medal in 2021 and a runner-up finish in the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship. A UEFA A-License holder, his career has seen him hold coaching roles with notable professional sides like Arsenal (2010-12), Charlton Athletic (2003-07) and Vancouver Whitecaps (2009-18) as well as various experiences at the youth and collegiate level.
Jordan Felgate arrived in Portland as the team’s new Goalkeeping Coach ahead of the Thorns’ 2025 Home Opener vs Angel City FC. Prior to becoming a Thorn, he recently worked as the U18 Goalkeeping Coach for the Football Association of Wales (2024-25). Felgate served as the Head of Academy Goalkeeping for Norwich City (2022-24) and Blackburn Rovers (2017-22) plus has experience coaching senior and academy squads at clubs like Manchester United (2017), Stockport County (2012-17), Manchester City (2008-13), Lancashire FA (2008-09) and Bolton Wanderers (2007-08) with an additional international experience as the U-17 Goalkeeping Coach for the Gibraltar Football Association in the 2023 U-17 UEFA Euro Qualifiers. Felgate currently holds a UEFA B License.
With over nine years of experience coaching youth, college and professional athletes on mental performance, Dr. Rachel Hoeft joins the Thorns staff as Mental Performance Coach on a contractual basis to help players better develop and utilize mental skills and strengths to optimize performance and empower rehabilitation. She holds three psychology degrees including a Psy.D in Sport & Performance Psychology from the University of Arizona Global Campus.
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