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PORTLAND, Ore. (September 17, 2025) – The Portland Thorns will honor Hispanic Heritage Month with a special celebration, presented by Coca-Cola, when they host the San Diego Wave at Providence Park on Saturday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m. PT. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy activations, giveaways, and cultural showcases highlighting the rich heritage and vibrant traditions of the Hispanic community.
On the pitch, the Thorns are pushing toward the postseason. Portland battled to a 1-1 draw on the road in Chicago this past Sunday, with midfielder Olivia Moultrie becoming the all-time leading teenage goal scorer in NWSL history. That result followed a dramatic 2-1 win in Louisville, keeping the Thorns firmly in the playoff mix as they currently sit 5th in the NWSL table. A victory over San Diego would vault Portland ahead of the Wave in the standings as the playoff race heats up. Earlier this season, the two sides played to a 1-1 draw in San Diego, when rookie Jayden Perry buried a stoppage-time penalty to secure a point.
GIVEAWAYS & MERCH
· Poster Giveaway: The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a limited-edition Hispanic Heritage poster designed by local artist Kennedy Barrera-Cruz.
· Merch Drop: A special Hispanic Heritage hoodie featuring Kennedy Barrera-Cruz’s artwork will be available for purchase exclusively at Providence Park on matchday.
ACTIVATIONS
· Mariachi Band – Fans can enjoy the vibrant rhythms of mariachi music rooted in generations of tradition from Mexico performed by Forest Grove Mariachi Tradicion. Outside the stadium at Gate F, pre-match as fans arrive
· Lowriders at the Gates: Fans can take pre-match photos with custom lowriders stationed outside the stadium at Gates D and F.
· Photo Booth Fun: Head to Section 95 for a Hispanic Heritage Celebration photobooth presented by Coca-Cola, complete with themed backdrops and designs.
· Thorns Bike Bus: Ride in with the community! The Thorns Bike Bus departs from The Athletic Community at 5:00 p.m. PT, with fans welcome to join from any stop along the way.
Tickets for the match are available now at thorns.com/tickets. For more information about the Portland Thorns, please visit www.Thorns.com and follow on social media @thornsfc.
About Portland Thorns
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. (September 17, 2025) – The Portland Thorns will honor Hispanic Heritage Month with a special celebration, presented by Coca-Cola, when they host the San Diego Wave at Providence Park on Saturday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m. PT. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy activations, giveaways, and cultural showcases highlighting the rich heritage and vibrant traditions of the Hispanic community.
On the pitch, the Thorns are pushing toward the postseason. Portland battled to a 1-1 draw on the road in Chicago this past Sunday, with midfielder Olivia Moultrie becoming the all-time leading teenage goal scorer in NWSL history. That result followed a dramatic 2-1 win in Louisville, keeping the Thorns firmly in the playoff mix as they currently sit 5th in the NWSL table. A victory over San Diego would vault Portland ahead of the Wave in the standings as the playoff race heats up. Earlier this season, the two sides played to a 1-1 draw in San Diego, when rookie Jayden Perry buried a stoppage-time penalty to secure a point.
GIVEAWAYS & MERCH
· Poster Giveaway: The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a limited-edition Hispanic Heritage poster designed by local artist Kennedy Barrera-Cruz.
· Merch Drop: A special Hispanic Heritage hoodie featuring Kennedy Barrera-Cruz’s artwork will be available for purchase exclusively at Providence Park on matchday.
ACTIVATIONS
· Mariachi Band – Fans can enjoy the vibrant rhythms of mariachi music rooted in generations of tradition from Mexico performed by Forest Grove Mariachi Tradicion. Outside the stadium at Gate F, pre-match as fans arrive
· Lowriders at the Gates: Fans can take pre-match photos with custom lowriders stationed outside the stadium at Gates D and F.
· Photo Booth Fun: Head to Section 95 for a Hispanic Heritage Celebration photobooth presented by Coca-Cola, complete with themed backdrops and designs.
· Thorns Bike Bus: Ride in with the community! The Thorns Bike Bus departs from The Athletic Community at 5:00 p.m. PT, with fans welcome to join from any stop along the way.
Tickets for the match are available now at thorns.com/tickets. For more information about the Portland Thorns, please visit www.Thorns.com and follow on social media @thornsfc.
About Portland Thorns
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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