PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC has announced the signing of the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, Olivia Wade-Katoa, to a two year contract with a mutual third-year option.
“Olivia has been a wonderful addition to our club, she has seamlessly fit into our culture and is overjoyed to be a part of the Thorns. Already, Olivia has impressed, showing the technique and skill that led to us drafting her, and we look forward to seeing what she will become in the next few years as a Portland Thorn,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said.
Wade-Katoa, 24, joins Portland after a historic five-year career at Brigham Young University, where she recorded 25 goals and 20 assists in 120 matches, helping lead the team to two NCAA Final Four appearances in 2021 and 2023. This past year, Wade-Katoa logged nearly 2,000 minutes, finishing the year with 12 goals and eight assists, the second-most in each category. Additionally, in her final year as a Cougar, Wade-Katoa was named a third-team All-American.
“We are really excited to add Olivia to our roster. Her focus and desire to compete is balanced with a wonderful personality and energy which has been a great addition to our roster,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She is a very dynamic midfielder, in and out of possession, and has an eye for goal. We are excited to see her flourish in the Thorns jersey.”
Wade-Katoa recently recorded her first professional goal, netting the game winner in the team’s preseason match against San Diego Wave FC as part of the Coachella Valley Invitational.
The Thorns will 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.
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 has announced the signing of the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, Olivia Wade-Katoa, to a two year contract with a mutual third-year option.
“Olivia has been a wonderful addition to our club, she has seamlessly fit into our culture and is overjoyed to be a part of the Thorns. Already, Olivia has impressed, showing the technique and skill that led to us drafting her, and we look forward to seeing what she will become in the next few years as a Portland Thorn,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said.
Wade-Katoa, 24, joins Portland after a historic five-year career at Brigham Young University, where she recorded 25 goals and 20 assists in 120 matches, helping lead the team to two NCAA Final Four appearances in 2021 and 2023. This past year, Wade-Katoa logged nearly 2,000 minutes, finishing the year with 12 goals and eight assists, the second-most in each category. Additionally, in her final year as a Cougar, Wade-Katoa was named a third-team All-American.
“We are really excited to add Olivia to our roster. Her focus and desire to compete is balanced with a wonderful personality and energy which has been a great addition to our roster,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She is a very dynamic midfielder, in and out of possession, and has an eye for goal. We are excited to see her flourish in the Thorns jersey.”
Wade-Katoa recently recorded her first professional goal, netting the game winner in the team’s preseason match against San Diego Wave FC as part of the Coachella Valley Invitational.
The Thorns will 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.
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