PORTLAND, Ore. (July 7, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that Dutch international midfielder Nina Nijstad has signed with the Club through 2029 following a transfer from PSV Eindhoven Vrouwen for an undisclosed fee, pending her P-1 visa and international transfer clearance.
“Nina is an exciting young prospect that we monitored over several months and we are excited to welcome her to Portland as we continue our work to build a team that will fight for an NWSL Championship,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “Nina has a strong ability to contribute effectively on both sides of the ball and has shown high impact potential as she continues breaking into the Netherlands senior national team. We are happy that she chose Portland as the next place to continue her career and we look forward to welcoming her into our environment.”
The 23-year-old arrives in the Rose City after three seasons with PSV where she was a major contributor in 2025/26 to secure the club’s first-ever league trophy and their second consecutive Eredivisie Cup. Nijstad also brings experience competing in top European competitions with PSV, playing high-level matches in UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifying and the inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa Cup. Nijstad appeared in 76 matches across all competitions for PSV, scoring 14 and assisting 17.
Nijstad developed within the Dutch international youth system and was part of the Netherlands squad that went to the semifinals at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Nijstad made her senior national team debut in a record-breaking 15-0 victory against Indonesia on October 25, 2024, and has gone on to score twice in four appearances.
Nijstad began her professional career in Dutch football at 18-years-old with SC Heerenveen and combined for three goals and five assists in 52 matches through all competitions.
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 a longstanding 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, the Kaiser Permanente 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. (July 7, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that Dutch international midfielder Nina Nijstad has signed with the Club through 2029 following a transfer from PSV Eindhoven Vrouwen for an undisclosed fee, pending her P-1 visa and international transfer clearance.
“Nina is an exciting young prospect that we monitored over several months and we are excited to welcome her to Portland as we continue our work to build a team that will fight for an NWSL Championship,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “Nina has a strong ability to contribute effectively on both sides of the ball and has shown high impact potential as she continues breaking into the Netherlands senior national team. We are happy that she chose Portland as the next place to continue her career and we look forward to welcoming her into our environment.”
The 23-year-old arrives in the Rose City after three seasons with PSV where she was a major contributor in 2025/26 to secure the club’s first-ever league trophy and their second consecutive Eredivisie Cup. Nijstad also brings experience competing in top European competitions with PSV, playing high-level matches in UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifying and the inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa Cup. Nijstad appeared in 76 matches across all competitions for PSV, scoring 14 and assisting 17.
Nijstad developed within the Dutch international youth system and was part of the Netherlands squad that went to the semifinals at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Nijstad made her senior national team debut in a record-breaking 15-0 victory against Indonesia on October 25, 2024, and has gone on to score twice in four appearances.
Nijstad began her professional career in Dutch football at 18-years-old with SC Heerenveen and combined for three goals and five assists in 52 matches through all competitions.
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 a longstanding 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, the Kaiser Permanente 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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