It's a battle of winning streaks as Portland Thorns FC (4th, 6-3-1, 19pts, six-straight wins) take on the Orlando Pride (1st, 7-0-3, 24pts, seven-straight wins) in a top-four matchup on Friday night. Kickoff from INTER&CO Stadium is set for 4pm PT and fans can stream the match live on NWSL+.
The only team that's equally as red-hot as the Thorns right now is the Orlando Pride. A league-record-tying seven consecutive victories make Orlando the Thorn's biggest challenge thus far in 2024. Head coach Seb Hines has turned the Pride into a well-oiled machine that has remained undefeated through 10 games this season. Their ascent to first-place is similar to Portland's rise into the top-four. Like the Thorns, they also had a rough start to the campaign, going winless in their first three matches. They soon found their stride and have won every match since to rocket up the table.
Forward Barbra Banda is having quite the debut season recording six goals and two assists in six matches for Orlando. Forwards Summer Yates and Brazilian legend Marta have contributed with three and two goals each, respectively. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse is the league joint-leader in clean sheets this season with four, and centerback Rafaelle – who leads the club in clearances and blocks per game – are helps anchor the backline.
As both clubs look to keep their streaks going, who will step-up and deliver?
Through 18 all-time meetings (including playoffs), the Thorns have had the Pride's number, securing 13 wins, suffering only three losses and drawing twice.
Since the turn of the decade, Portland has been able to find results against Orlando. In their four wins from seven matches during this time, the Thorns have seen some of the best offensive performances in Thorns history with 6-0 (2022) and 4-0 (2023) victories over the Pride.
Portland's offense has been relentless during the six-game winning streak. They have scorched their opponents' for 17 total goals, scoring multiple times in each match.
The clash between Portland and Orlando will be the first of its kind in NWSL history. It is the first time two teams riding a 4+ win streak face one another – bring on the fireworks!
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
It's a battle of winning streaks as Portland Thorns FC (4th, 6-3-1, 19pts, six-straight wins) take on the Orlando Pride (1st, 7-0-3, 24pts, seven-straight wins) in a top-four matchup on Friday night. Kickoff from INTER&CO Stadium is set for 4pm PT and fans can stream the match live on NWSL+.
The only team that's equally as red-hot as the Thorns right now is the Orlando Pride. A league-record-tying seven consecutive victories make Orlando the Thorn's biggest challenge thus far in 2024. Head coach Seb Hines has turned the Pride into a well-oiled machine that has remained undefeated through 10 games this season. Their ascent to first-place is similar to Portland's rise into the top-four. Like the Thorns, they also had a rough start to the campaign, going winless in their first three matches. They soon found their stride and have won every match since to rocket up the table.
Forward Barbra Banda is having quite the debut season recording six goals and two assists in six matches for Orlando. Forwards Summer Yates and Brazilian legend Marta have contributed with three and two goals each, respectively. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse is the league joint-leader in clean sheets this season with four, and centerback Rafaelle – who leads the club in clearances and blocks per game – are helps anchor the backline.
As both clubs look to keep their streaks going, who will step-up and deliver?
Through 18 all-time meetings (including playoffs), the Thorns have had the Pride's number, securing 13 wins, suffering only three losses and drawing twice.
Since the turn of the decade, Portland has been able to find results against Orlando. In their four wins from seven matches during this time, the Thorns have seen some of the best offensive performances in Thorns history with 6-0 (2022) and 4-0 (2023) victories over the Pride.
Portland's offense has been relentless during the six-game winning streak. They have scorched their opponents' for 17 total goals, scoring multiple times in each match.
The clash between Portland and Orlando will be the first of its kind in NWSL history. It is the first time two teams riding a 4+ win streak face one another – bring on the fireworks!
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