PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC proudly announce the appointment of Oregon native and seasoned sports industry professional, Alexis Lee, as the President of Business Operations.
"I am ecstatic to become part of Portland Thorns FC. Returning to my home in Portland and joining a cherished organization as the Portland Thorns, is a dream realized,” Lee shared. “I look forward to contributing to the organization's growth, aiming to elevate it to be the number one women's sports club globally by championing an inclusive business model aligned with the values of the Portland community."
In her new role, Lee will spearhead all facets of the club's business operations, including marketing, ticket and sponsorship sales, community relations, finance, legal, and human resources. Most notably, Lee's hiring marks the first Thorns-specific executive business employee, and as such she will be responsible for building out a robust and elite front office staff. As President of Business Operations, Lee along with Portland Thorn’s President of Soccer Operations, Karina LeBlanc, will report to Governor Lisa Bhathal Merage.
Lee brings a wealth of experience leading cross-functional teams in professional sports, live entertainment, and arts and culture. Most recently, Lee served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Ilitch Sports and Entertainment (IS+E) in Detroit, Michigan where she led all marketing functions for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and MLB’s Detroit Tigers.
Prior to her time in Detroit, Lee served as Executive Director at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington, where she transformed the museum's operating and financial model, guiding the institution through essential cultural changes.
Lee's return to the Portland sports scene holds special significance, as she spent nearly a decade with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter entertainment complex, where she held leadership positions across various marketing functions.
In an official statement, Governor Lisa Bhathal Merage expressed her enthusiasm for Lee's appointment, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Alexis to our team. Alexis embodies our shared vision for the culture of the club, which will guide our future hiring practices. We're excited about the positive impact her experience and local roots in the community will bring to our organization."
Lee also expressed her excitement, stating, “It was evident from the beginning of the conversations with Lisa and Alex that our values and goals were aligned. We share a similar vision for the Club, relying on value-based leadership and a respect for the community. We are eager to bring it to new heights, while still honoring the history of this organization.”
A proud Oregonian, Lee earned her B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Marketing from the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business and Warsaw Sports Marketing Center.
Lee's appointment continues an exciting new chapter for Portland Thorns FC under the new ownership of the Bhathal family as they continue to cement their position as a powerhouse in women's soccer both on and off the pitch.
The Portland Thorns are set to 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 and can be purchased by visiting thornsfc.com.
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 proudly announce the appointment of Oregon native and seasoned sports industry professional, Alexis Lee, as the President of Business Operations.
"I am ecstatic to become part of Portland Thorns FC. Returning to my home in Portland and joining a cherished organization as the Portland Thorns, is a dream realized,” Lee shared. “I look forward to contributing to the organization's growth, aiming to elevate it to be the number one women's sports club globally by championing an inclusive business model aligned with the values of the Portland community."
In her new role, Lee will spearhead all facets of the club's business operations, including marketing, ticket and sponsorship sales, community relations, finance, legal, and human resources. Most notably, Lee's hiring marks the first Thorns-specific executive business employee, and as such she will be responsible for building out a robust and elite front office staff. As President of Business Operations, Lee along with Portland Thorn’s President of Soccer Operations, Karina LeBlanc, will report to Governor Lisa Bhathal Merage.
Lee brings a wealth of experience leading cross-functional teams in professional sports, live entertainment, and arts and culture. Most recently, Lee served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Ilitch Sports and Entertainment (IS+E) in Detroit, Michigan where she led all marketing functions for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and MLB’s Detroit Tigers.
Prior to her time in Detroit, Lee served as Executive Director at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington, where she transformed the museum's operating and financial model, guiding the institution through essential cultural changes.
Lee's return to the Portland sports scene holds special significance, as she spent nearly a decade with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter entertainment complex, where she held leadership positions across various marketing functions.
In an official statement, Governor Lisa Bhathal Merage expressed her enthusiasm for Lee's appointment, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Alexis to our team. Alexis embodies our shared vision for the culture of the club, which will guide our future hiring practices. We're excited about the positive impact her experience and local roots in the community will bring to our organization."
Lee also expressed her excitement, stating, “It was evident from the beginning of the conversations with Lisa and Alex that our values and goals were aligned. We share a similar vision for the Club, relying on value-based leadership and a respect for the community. We are eager to bring it to new heights, while still honoring the history of this organization.”
A proud Oregonian, Lee earned her B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Marketing from the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business and Warsaw Sports Marketing Center.
Lee's appointment continues an exciting new chapter for Portland Thorns FC under the new ownership of the Bhathal family as they continue to cement their position as a powerhouse in women's soccer both on and off the pitch.
The Portland Thorns are set to 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 and can be purchased by visiting thornsfc.com.
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