PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have extended the reigning U.S. Young Female Player of the Year, Olivia Moultrie, keeping the 18-year-old midfielder in the Rose City through the 2026 season.
“I chose to stay and play in Portland because I feel like this club has every piece needed to achieve excellence -- the roster, the staff, the ownership and of course the incredible supporters that create an unrivaled environment for every game,” Moultrie said. “I absolutely cannot wait to continue to build towards achieving greatness with this club, and of course winning championships!”
Moultrie, 18, first joined the club during the 2021 season, making her Thorns FC and NWSL debut on July 3 against Louisville, at the time becoming the youngest player to appear in a league match at just 15 years old. Since then, she has gone on to appear in 46 regular-season matches, during which she has recorded five goals and eight assists. Moultrie helped contribute to the 2022 NWSL Championship, as well as the 2021 NWSL Shield and 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup.
“From the beginning of her journey Olivia’s drive and determination to achieve at the highest levels has been apparent, she is one who has always sought to be the best, no matter the obstacles that she may face, and she has always desired to do so as a member of the Portland Thorns,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said. “We are excited to have her with us for this next stage of her career and cannot wait to watch her reach new heights as a member of the Thorns.”
This past year with Thorns FC, Moultrie recorded a career-high 1,205 minutes across 22 matches, 12 of which were starts. Offensively, Moultrie contributed two goals and three assists for the Thorns, helping the team secure a second-place finish in the NWSL regular season and a semifinal berth in the postseason. The third-year midfielder also appeared in six NWSL Challenge Cup matches, scoring one goal.
“We are really happy and proud to have Olivia commit her future with us at the Thorns. She is a pioneer for what we have seen in recent years, and we are excited to see her commitment to her continued development,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She has a tremendous attitude for growth and winning, and we look forward to seeing her grow into the world class player we all believe she can be.”
In 2023, Moultrie helped lead the United States at the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which saw her earn a call-up to the Senior National Team in October. Moultrie made her debut against China PR on December 2 in the team’s 3-0 victory. Three days later, in Frisco, Texas, Moultrie earned her second cap, a 2-1 win over China PR. This month, Moultrie will compete with the U.S. Women’s National Team at the first-ever Concacaf W Gold Cup, she will be joined by fellow Portland teammates Sam Coffey and Sophia Smith.
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 extended the reigning U.S. Young Female Player of the Year, Olivia Moultrie, keeping the 18-year-old midfielder in the Rose City through the 2026 season.
“I chose to stay and play in Portland because I feel like this club has every piece needed to achieve excellence -- the roster, the staff, the ownership and of course the incredible supporters that create an unrivaled environment for every game,” Moultrie said. “I absolutely cannot wait to continue to build towards achieving greatness with this club, and of course winning championships!”
Moultrie, 18, first joined the club during the 2021 season, making her Thorns FC and NWSL debut on July 3 against Louisville, at the time becoming the youngest player to appear in a league match at just 15 years old. Since then, she has gone on to appear in 46 regular-season matches, during which she has recorded five goals and eight assists. Moultrie helped contribute to the 2022 NWSL Championship, as well as the 2021 NWSL Shield and 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup.
“From the beginning of her journey Olivia’s drive and determination to achieve at the highest levels has been apparent, she is one who has always sought to be the best, no matter the obstacles that she may face, and she has always desired to do so as a member of the Portland Thorns,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said. “We are excited to have her with us for this next stage of her career and cannot wait to watch her reach new heights as a member of the Thorns.”
This past year with Thorns FC, Moultrie recorded a career-high 1,205 minutes across 22 matches, 12 of which were starts. Offensively, Moultrie contributed two goals and three assists for the Thorns, helping the team secure a second-place finish in the NWSL regular season and a semifinal berth in the postseason. The third-year midfielder also appeared in six NWSL Challenge Cup matches, scoring one goal.
“We are really happy and proud to have Olivia commit her future with us at the Thorns. She is a pioneer for what we have seen in recent years, and we are excited to see her commitment to her continued development,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She has a tremendous attitude for growth and winning, and we look forward to seeing her grow into the world class player we all believe she can be.”
In 2023, Moultrie helped lead the United States at the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which saw her earn a call-up to the Senior National Team in October. Moultrie made her debut against China PR on December 2 in the team’s 3-0 victory. Three days later, in Frisco, Texas, Moultrie earned her second cap, a 2-1 win over China PR. This month, Moultrie will compete with the U.S. Women’s National Team at the first-ever Concacaf W Gold Cup, she will be joined by fellow Portland teammates Sam Coffey and Sophia Smith.
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