Portland, Ore. — Portland Thorns FC today announced two marquee friendly matches to be played at Providence Park during the July international break, offering fans an exciting mix of international flair, fierce rivalry, and a celebration of the Thorns’ player development pathway.
On Wednesday, July 23, the Thorns will welcome Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies of Saitama, Japan. The reigning WE League contenders are making a limited North American tour, with their visit to Portland made possible in part by Alaska Airlines, who will proudly fly the Red Diamonds within the United States and be the presenting partner for the game in Portland.
The match arrives at a pivotal time in the evolution of women’s soccer in the U.S. With no formal draft in place, the Thorns are doubling down on their commitment to developing homegrown talent. The evening will open with a Portland Thorns Academy match—free to all ticket holders—underscoring the club’s investment in providing real, high-level pathways for emerging players. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to witness the next generation of Thorns step into the spotlight.
This international matchup is also emblematic of Portland’s broader efforts to bring diverse global talent into its soccer culture, reflecting the city’s growing role as a hub for elite women’s competition.
Just days later, on Saturday, July 26, Providence Park will play host to one of the fiercest rivalries in women’s soccer as Seattle Reign makes the trip south for a summer showdown. This friendly sets the stage for a high-stakes league match between the clubs on August 10, which is expected to carry significant playoff implications. With the passion and intensity that defines Pacific Northwest soccer, a Thorns-Reign rivalry match at Providence Park is an experience unlike any other.
Tickets for both matches are on sale now at Thorns.com.
About Portland Thorns FC
Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park. Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.
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 today announced two marquee friendly matches to be played at Providence Park during the July international break, offering fans an exciting mix of international flair, fierce rivalry, and a celebration of the Thorns’ player development pathway.
On Wednesday, July 23, the Thorns will welcome Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies of Saitama, Japan. The reigning WE League contenders are making a limited North American tour, with their visit to Portland made possible in part by Alaska Airlines, who will proudly fly the Red Diamonds within the United States and be the presenting partner for the game in Portland.
The match arrives at a pivotal time in the evolution of women’s soccer in the U.S. With no formal draft in place, the Thorns are doubling down on their commitment to developing homegrown talent. The evening will open with a Portland Thorns Academy match—free to all ticket holders—underscoring the club’s investment in providing real, high-level pathways for emerging players. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to witness the next generation of Thorns step into the spotlight.
This international matchup is also emblematic of Portland’s broader efforts to bring diverse global talent into its soccer culture, reflecting the city’s growing role as a hub for elite women’s competition.
Just days later, on Saturday, July 26, Providence Park will play host to one of the fiercest rivalries in women’s soccer as Seattle Reign makes the trip south for a summer showdown. This friendly sets the stage for a high-stakes league match between the clubs on August 10, which is expected to carry significant playoff implications. With the passion and intensity that defines Pacific Northwest soccer, a Thorns-Reign rivalry match at Providence Park is an experience unlike any other.
Tickets for both matches are on sale now at Thorns.com.
About Portland Thorns FC
Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park. Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.
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