PORTLAND, Oregon (Sunday, March 24, 2024) – Portland Thorns FC (0-2-0, 0 points) suffered a 0-1 loss to Gotham FC in the club’s 2024 National Women’s Soccer League home opener at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon.
Forward Sophia Smith looked to have had the opening goal in the second minute, but she was determined to be offside. In the 15th minute, Gotham’s Esther González received the ball inside the 18-yard-box, attempting a bicycle kick, but Thorns FC goalkeeper Shelby Hogan was able to make the save.
The two sides continued to trade possession throughout the midfield, with neither team truly testing the opposing goalkeeper. Just before the first-half whistle blew, Janine Beckie flicked a header towards goal, but a quick goal-line clearance from Kelly O’Hara miraculously kept it out of the back of the net and sent the two sides into the halftime break scoreless.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Thorns pestered Gotham’s goal, seeking the opening goal. It seemed as if Portland had finally found it in the 61st minute when Smith rocketed a sensational shot into the upper right corner, but after Video Assisted Review the goal was called back due to her being in an offside position.
Despite creating the better chances, it was Gotham who scored the first goal, with González tucking her shot past the goalkeeper in the 72nd minute to give the visiting side the 1-0 lead.
Portland would continue to battle, fighting for the equalizer, but the team was unable to put one into the back of the net, and the match ended 1-0 in favor of Gotham.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
NJY: Esther González (Yazmeen Ryan), 72nd minute: Ryan sent a cross into the middle of the penalty box where González one-touched a shot up the middle of the goal.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Marie Müller, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Reyna Reyes, Olivia Moultrie, Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming (Hina Sugita 77’), Morgan Weaver, Sophia Smith, Janine Beckie (Christine Sinclair 64’)
Subs not used: Lauren Kozal, Isabella Obaze, Izzy D’Aquila, Meghan Klingenberg, Marissa Sheva, Mallie McKenzie, Olivia Wade-Katoa
Gotham FC (4-4-2): Cassie Miller, Jenna Nighswonger, Tierna Davidson, Sam Hiatt, Kelley O'Hara (Bruninha 66’), Delanie Sheehan, Emily Sonnett, Nealy Martin, Crystal Dunn (Katie Stengel 66’), Esther González, Midge Purce (Yazmeen Ryan 45+4’)
Subs not used: Michelle Betos, Taryn Torres, Ella Stevens, Mandy Freeman, Maycee Bell, Erin McKinney
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: POR: Reyna Reyes (caution) 18’
NJY: Midge Purce (caution) 35’
NJY: Delanie Sheehan (caution) 46’
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, Oregon (Sunday, March 24, 2024) – Portland Thorns FC (0-2-0, 0 points) suffered a 0-1 loss to Gotham FC in the club’s 2024 National Women’s Soccer League home opener at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon.
Forward Sophia Smith looked to have had the opening goal in the second minute, but she was determined to be offside. In the 15th minute, Gotham’s Esther González received the ball inside the 18-yard-box, attempting a bicycle kick, but Thorns FC goalkeeper Shelby Hogan was able to make the save.
The two sides continued to trade possession throughout the midfield, with neither team truly testing the opposing goalkeeper. Just before the first-half whistle blew, Janine Beckie flicked a header towards goal, but a quick goal-line clearance from Kelly O’Hara miraculously kept it out of the back of the net and sent the two sides into the halftime break scoreless.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Thorns pestered Gotham’s goal, seeking the opening goal. It seemed as if Portland had finally found it in the 61st minute when Smith rocketed a sensational shot into the upper right corner, but after Video Assisted Review the goal was called back due to her being in an offside position.
Despite creating the better chances, it was Gotham who scored the first goal, with González tucking her shot past the goalkeeper in the 72nd minute to give the visiting side the 1-0 lead.
Portland would continue to battle, fighting for the equalizer, but the team was unable to put one into the back of the net, and the match ended 1-0 in favor of Gotham.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
NJY: Esther González (Yazmeen Ryan), 72nd minute: Ryan sent a cross into the middle of the penalty box where González one-touched a shot up the middle of the goal.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Marie Müller, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Reyna Reyes, Olivia Moultrie, Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming (Hina Sugita 77’), Morgan Weaver, Sophia Smith, Janine Beckie (Christine Sinclair 64’)
Subs not used: Lauren Kozal, Isabella Obaze, Izzy D’Aquila, Meghan Klingenberg, Marissa Sheva, Mallie McKenzie, Olivia Wade-Katoa
Gotham FC (4-4-2): Cassie Miller, Jenna Nighswonger, Tierna Davidson, Sam Hiatt, Kelley O'Hara (Bruninha 66’), Delanie Sheehan, Emily Sonnett, Nealy Martin, Crystal Dunn (Katie Stengel 66’), Esther González, Midge Purce (Yazmeen Ryan 45+4’)
Subs not used: Michelle Betos, Taryn Torres, Ella Stevens, Mandy Freeman, Maycee Bell, Erin McKinney
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: POR: Reyna Reyes (caution) 18’
NJY: Midge Purce (caution) 35’
NJY: Delanie Sheehan (caution) 46’
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