PORTLAND, Ore. (January 22, 2026) — The Portland Thorns have signed defender Carolyn Calzada through the 2027 season with a 2028 mutual option, the Club announced today.
“Carolyn is a dominant defender that can provide important cover while defending spaces,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “In addition to her dominance in aerial duels and versatility in the backline, her leadership qualities will be a valuable addition as we continue to construct a competitive roster that aims to compete for a championship.”
The 22-year-old Georgia native most recently played for Notre Dame, starting all 18 matches and contesting 1,546 minutes to help the Fighting Irish reach the 2025 ACC Championship Final and advance to the Second Round of the 2025NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament. She also tallied two assists in a season that saw Notre Dame post a 15-2-3 overall record.
Calzada’s collegiate career began at Texas A&M where she fielded for the Aggies between 2022-25. She earned numerous individual honors including selections to the 2023 United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Team, All-SEC First Team (2023), All-SEC Second Team (2024) and 2022 SEC All-Freshman Team. She was also named Texas A&M’s Defensive MVP in 2023 and Soccer Newcomer of theYear in 2022.
Calzada co-captained the Aggies in 2024 and over the course of her three seasons at Texas A&M, she started all 54 matches and assisted five goals across 4,657 minutes.
At the international level, she helped the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team win the 2019 UEFA Women’s Development Tournament in the Czech Republic. Calzada started two of three matches played.
Fans interested in purchasing Thorns Annual Memberships for the 2026 NWSL season are encouraged to call the ticket office at 503.509.5555, email ticketsales@thorns.com or visit thorns.com/tickets for more information.
To view the full 2026 Portland Thorns schedule, visit thorns.com/schedule.
To start the 2026 preseason, the Thorns contracted roster currently features the following players:
Goalkeepers(3): Mackenzie Arnold (INTL), Bella Bixby, Morgan Messner
Defenders (9): Carolyn Calzada, Daiane (LOAN), Sam Hiatt, Mallie McKenzie, Marie Müller (INTL - SEI), Isabella Obaze (INTL), Jayden Perry, Reyna Reyes, M.A. Vignola
Midfielders (4): Deyna Castellanos, Jessie Fleming (INTL), Shae Harvey, Olivia Moultrie
Forwards (10): Mimi Alidou (INTL), Julie Dufour (INTL - SEI), Caiya Hanks (SEI), Valerin Loboa (INTL), Maddie Padelski, Alexa Spaanstra, Pietra Tordin, Reilyn Turner, Morgan Weaver (SEI), Sophia Wilson (ML)
INTL – Player holds an international roster slot; LOAN – Player out on loan;
SEI – Season-Ending Injury; ML – Maternity Leave
The Thorns currently have five trialists on its 2026 preseason roster:
Defenders (2): Laila Booker (NRI), Sydney Cheesman (NRI)
Midfielders (3): Riley Gleason (NRI), Jennie Immethun (NRI), Renee Lyles (NRI)
NRI – Non-Roster Invitee
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and along standing commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields(2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
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. (January 22, 2026) — The Portland Thorns have signed defender Carolyn Calzada through the 2027 season with a 2028 mutual option, the Club announced today.
“Carolyn is a dominant defender that can provide important cover while defending spaces,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “In addition to her dominance in aerial duels and versatility in the backline, her leadership qualities will be a valuable addition as we continue to construct a competitive roster that aims to compete for a championship.”
The 22-year-old Georgia native most recently played for Notre Dame, starting all 18 matches and contesting 1,546 minutes to help the Fighting Irish reach the 2025 ACC Championship Final and advance to the Second Round of the 2025NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament. She also tallied two assists in a season that saw Notre Dame post a 15-2-3 overall record.
Calzada’s collegiate career began at Texas A&M where she fielded for the Aggies between 2022-25. She earned numerous individual honors including selections to the 2023 United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Team, All-SEC First Team (2023), All-SEC Second Team (2024) and 2022 SEC All-Freshman Team. She was also named Texas A&M’s Defensive MVP in 2023 and Soccer Newcomer of theYear in 2022.
Calzada co-captained the Aggies in 2024 and over the course of her three seasons at Texas A&M, she started all 54 matches and assisted five goals across 4,657 minutes.
At the international level, she helped the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team win the 2019 UEFA Women’s Development Tournament in the Czech Republic. Calzada started two of three matches played.
Fans interested in purchasing Thorns Annual Memberships for the 2026 NWSL season are encouraged to call the ticket office at 503.509.5555, email ticketsales@thorns.com or visit thorns.com/tickets for more information.
To view the full 2026 Portland Thorns schedule, visit thorns.com/schedule.
To start the 2026 preseason, the Thorns contracted roster currently features the following players:
Goalkeepers(3): Mackenzie Arnold (INTL), Bella Bixby, Morgan Messner
Defenders (9): Carolyn Calzada, Daiane (LOAN), Sam Hiatt, Mallie McKenzie, Marie Müller (INTL - SEI), Isabella Obaze (INTL), Jayden Perry, Reyna Reyes, M.A. Vignola
Midfielders (4): Deyna Castellanos, Jessie Fleming (INTL), Shae Harvey, Olivia Moultrie
Forwards (10): Mimi Alidou (INTL), Julie Dufour (INTL - SEI), Caiya Hanks (SEI), Valerin Loboa (INTL), Maddie Padelski, Alexa Spaanstra, Pietra Tordin, Reilyn Turner, Morgan Weaver (SEI), Sophia Wilson (ML)
INTL – Player holds an international roster slot; LOAN – Player out on loan;
SEI – Season-Ending Injury; ML – Maternity Leave
The Thorns currently have five trialists on its 2026 preseason roster:
Defenders (2): Laila Booker (NRI), Sydney Cheesman (NRI)
Midfielders (3): Riley Gleason (NRI), Jennie Immethun (NRI), Renee Lyles (NRI)
NRI – Non-Roster Invitee
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and along standing commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields(2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
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