PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have re-signed free agent defender Becky Sauerbrunn to a one-year contract, keeping the two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner in the Rose City through 2024, the club announced today.
“I’m thrilled to be continuing my career with the Thorns as we enter a new era for the club,” Sauerbrunn said. “And as we welcome new ownership and investment, I’m thankful for the opportunity to play for the city and supporters that have always made being a Thorn such an unrivaled experience.”
In her first 11 seasons in the National Women’s Soccer League Sauerbrunn has cemented herself as, arguably, the top defender in the league, winning a league-best four Defender of the Year awards (2013, 2014, 2015, 2019) and a league-best eight selections to the NWSL Best XI and Second XI (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022). Sauerbrunn is a three-time NWSL Champion, twice with the now defunct FC Kansas City (2014, 2015), and again with Portland Thorns in 2022. Additionally, she helped Portland win the 2020 NWSL Community Shield, the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, and the 2022 NWSL Shield, making her one of a few players in the history of the league to win every possible title, as well as the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup.
“We are delighted to be able to bring Becky back to Portland for this upcoming season, her leadership, on and off the field, her professionalism, and quality on the pitch will be paramount to what we are hoping to achieve this year as a team and in this new era as a club,” General Manager Karina LeBlanc said.
Since joining Thorns FC ahead of the 2020 season, Sauerbrunn has appeared in 42 matches, 39 of which have been starts, bringing her NWSL career total to 164 games played, totaling 14,071 minutes. In June of 2022 Sauerbrunn recorded her first and only goal as a member of Portland, finding the back of the net on the team’s way to a 6-0 victory over Orlando Pride. In total, Sauerbrunn has scored three goals in her NWSL professional career, scoring once for every club she has played for.
“Becky’s experience and presence, speaks for itself, and we are so pleased that this presence will continue in a Thorns jersey for the season ahead,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She has the ability to set standards and she continues to have an open mind for growth and excellence, this combination will be a great asset for us in 2024.”
As a member of the United States Women’s National Team, Sauerbrunn has won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019, secured two medals at the Summer Olympics, including a Gold Medal in 2012 and a Bronze Medal in 2020, and sits ninth all-time with 217 caps.
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 re-signed free agent defender Becky Sauerbrunn to a one-year contract, keeping the two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner in the Rose City through 2024, the club announced today.
“I’m thrilled to be continuing my career with the Thorns as we enter a new era for the club,” Sauerbrunn said. “And as we welcome new ownership and investment, I’m thankful for the opportunity to play for the city and supporters that have always made being a Thorn such an unrivaled experience.”
In her first 11 seasons in the National Women’s Soccer League Sauerbrunn has cemented herself as, arguably, the top defender in the league, winning a league-best four Defender of the Year awards (2013, 2014, 2015, 2019) and a league-best eight selections to the NWSL Best XI and Second XI (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022). Sauerbrunn is a three-time NWSL Champion, twice with the now defunct FC Kansas City (2014, 2015), and again with Portland Thorns in 2022. Additionally, she helped Portland win the 2020 NWSL Community Shield, the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, and the 2022 NWSL Shield, making her one of a few players in the history of the league to win every possible title, as well as the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup.
“We are delighted to be able to bring Becky back to Portland for this upcoming season, her leadership, on and off the field, her professionalism, and quality on the pitch will be paramount to what we are hoping to achieve this year as a team and in this new era as a club,” General Manager Karina LeBlanc said.
Since joining Thorns FC ahead of the 2020 season, Sauerbrunn has appeared in 42 matches, 39 of which have been starts, bringing her NWSL career total to 164 games played, totaling 14,071 minutes. In June of 2022 Sauerbrunn recorded her first and only goal as a member of Portland, finding the back of the net on the team’s way to a 6-0 victory over Orlando Pride. In total, Sauerbrunn has scored three goals in her NWSL professional career, scoring once for every club she has played for.
“Becky’s experience and presence, speaks for itself, and we are so pleased that this presence will continue in a Thorns jersey for the season ahead,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She has the ability to set standards and she continues to have an open mind for growth and excellence, this combination will be a great asset for us in 2024.”
As a member of the United States Women’s National Team, Sauerbrunn has won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019, secured two medals at the Summer Olympics, including a Gold Medal in 2012 and a Bronze Medal in 2020, and sits ninth all-time with 217 caps.
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