PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have announced the addition of Jordan Franken who will serve as the goalkeeper coach within Head Coach Mike Norris’ technical staff.
"We’re so excited to bring Jordan on staff, he has both international and professional experience. We were inspired throughout his interview process by his take on goalkeeping, as well as set pieces. He’s been a great fit culturally and he adds his own flair to our goalkeeping unit that will advance them to the next level,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said.
Franken comes to Thorns FC from his home country of Australia, where he served as the goalkeeper coach for the U-23 and U-20 Australia Women’s National Teams, while simultaneously working as the first team goalkeeper coach for Melbourne City FC in the A-League. While with Melbourne City, Franken coached Australian goalkeeper Tegan Micah up to be the 2021 W-League Goalkeeper of the Year. Franken was also instrumental in the development of Lysianne Proulx, who recently earned her first call-up to the Canada National Team.
As a player, Franken spent time with his boyhood club, Perth Glory, as well as semi-professionally with Hume City FC. Additionally, Franken is the son of esteemed Australian goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach, Tony Franken.
"Jordan has been an excellent addition to our technical staff, and has already been hard at work developing our group of young goalkeepers in Shelby, Lauren and Kat, as well as working with Bella as she enters into this new chapter of her life," Head Coach Mike Norris said. "He brings with him an extensive background and history of the goalkeeping position and is keen to help our goalkeepers take their next steps towards becoming elite all-around goalkeepers."
Franken joins a coaching staff that includes previously announced Assistant Coach Sarah Lowden and returning assistants Rob Gale and Vytautas (Vytas) Andriuskevicius.
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 announced the addition of Jordan Franken who will serve as the goalkeeper coach within Head Coach Mike Norris’ technical staff.
"We’re so excited to bring Jordan on staff, he has both international and professional experience. We were inspired throughout his interview process by his take on goalkeeping, as well as set pieces. He’s been a great fit culturally and he adds his own flair to our goalkeeping unit that will advance them to the next level,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said.
Franken comes to Thorns FC from his home country of Australia, where he served as the goalkeeper coach for the U-23 and U-20 Australia Women’s National Teams, while simultaneously working as the first team goalkeeper coach for Melbourne City FC in the A-League. While with Melbourne City, Franken coached Australian goalkeeper Tegan Micah up to be the 2021 W-League Goalkeeper of the Year. Franken was also instrumental in the development of Lysianne Proulx, who recently earned her first call-up to the Canada National Team.
As a player, Franken spent time with his boyhood club, Perth Glory, as well as semi-professionally with Hume City FC. Additionally, Franken is the son of esteemed Australian goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach, Tony Franken.
"Jordan has been an excellent addition to our technical staff, and has already been hard at work developing our group of young goalkeepers in Shelby, Lauren and Kat, as well as working with Bella as she enters into this new chapter of her life," Head Coach Mike Norris said. "He brings with him an extensive background and history of the goalkeeping position and is keen to help our goalkeepers take their next steps towards becoming elite all-around goalkeepers."
Franken joins a coaching staff that includes previously announced Assistant Coach Sarah Lowden and returning assistants Rob Gale and Vytautas (Vytas) Andriuskevicius.
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