Portland Thorns FC Defender Marie Müller Signs Contract Extension
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 24, 2025) – Portland Thorns FC announced today that it has signed German international defender Marie Müller to a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season with a club option for 2027.
“Marie was an exciting addition for the Club last season, and we’ve been closely monitoring her rehabilitation following her injury,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “We’re looking forward to her return and continued development for the Club in 2026.”
“I’m excited and thankful to be extending with the Thorns,” Müller said. “I can’t wait to play next season in front of our incredible fans and until then, I will continue to work hard to make my comeback.”
Müller, 24, established herself as one of the key backline components in her debut Thorns season, showcasing strong defensive abilities and versatility while transitioning from Germany’s SC Freiburg to the NWSL.
With 27 starts and 2,447 minutes played in 32 matches, Müller helped Portland secure a 2024 NWSL postseason berth and clinch qualification to the knockout stages of the inaugural 2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup. Her impressive 2024 season with Portland earned her a first call-up to the senior German Women’s National Team back in February this year.
As part of the foundation of a new Thorns era, Müller’s extension is a continuation of Portland’s commitment to build a competitive squad around one of the youngest cores in the NWSL. Following her injury that ruled her out of the 2025 NWSL season, Müller has been working hard alongside the Thorns medical team to prepare for her return next season.
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 Defender Marie Müller Signs Contract Extension
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 24, 2025) – Portland Thorns FC announced today that it has signed German international defender Marie Müller to a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season with a club option for 2027.
“Marie was an exciting addition for the Club last season, and we’ve been closely monitoring her rehabilitation following her injury,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “We’re looking forward to her return and continued development for the Club in 2026.”
“I’m excited and thankful to be extending with the Thorns,” Müller said. “I can’t wait to play next season in front of our incredible fans and until then, I will continue to work hard to make my comeback.”
Müller, 24, established herself as one of the key backline components in her debut Thorns season, showcasing strong defensive abilities and versatility while transitioning from Germany’s SC Freiburg to the NWSL.
With 27 starts and 2,447 minutes played in 32 matches, Müller helped Portland secure a 2024 NWSL postseason berth and clinch qualification to the knockout stages of the inaugural 2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup. Her impressive 2024 season with Portland earned her a first call-up to the senior German Women’s National Team back in February this year.
As part of the foundation of a new Thorns era, Müller’s extension is a continuation of Portland’s commitment to build a competitive squad around one of the youngest cores in the NWSL. Following her injury that ruled her out of the 2025 NWSL season, Müller has been working hard alongside the Thorns medical team to prepare for her return next season.
.avif)
