Portland Thorns FC remain at home as they host Racing Louisville FC on Saturday night. Kickoff from Providence Park is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (Pacific), with a national broadcast available on ION.
Saturday's opponent is also looking for their first win of the season. Following draws against Orlando Pride and at Houston Dash, Racing has a new challenge ahead in the Rose City.
Led by head coach Beverly Goebel Yanez, the 2021 expansion club steps into Providence Park looking to build on the last result between the two clubs. On Sept. 2, 2023, Racing earned their first victory over the Thorns in NWSL play with a 2-1 scoreline at Lynn Family Stadium.
Forward Elexa Bahr leads the way for Louisville in 2024, with a goal and an assist through two matches. With a supporting cast consisting of forwards Reilyn Turner and Uchenna Kanu, Louisville will be a threat on offense. On the defensive end, midfielder/defender Taylor Kornieck will hold things down, she leads the club in clearances per match (5.5) and interceptions per 90 minutes (4.5).
Thorns FC's superstar – No. 9 Sophia Smith – has inked a new deal that keeps her at the club through 2025. She currently is tied for first in the Golden Boot race (2), leads the league in shots per 90 minutes (5.5), and leads the club in shots on target per 90 minutes (2.7).
Saturday marks the seventh all-time meeting between Portland and Louisville. Since their first matchup back on June 5, 2021 (a 3-0 victory for Portland), the Thorns have kept control of the series, recording five wins, one loss, and no draws. Portland's goal differential is an astonishing +10, having only allowed three Racing goals all-time.
Over the last couple years it has been two Thorns that have inflicted the most damage to the Portland-Louisville scoreline. In their last four matches, either Sophia Smith or Morgan Weaver have found the back of the net for the Thorns (two goals each).
When Portland and Louisville go to battle, sparks are sure to fly. In all six matches thus far, there have been at least over 1.5 goals scored by the end of each match. In fact, in four of the six matches the result has reflected over 2.5 total goals scored.
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 Thorns FC remain at home as they host Racing Louisville FC on Saturday night. Kickoff from Providence Park is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (Pacific), with a national broadcast available on ION.
Saturday's opponent is also looking for their first win of the season. Following draws against Orlando Pride and at Houston Dash, Racing has a new challenge ahead in the Rose City.
Led by head coach Beverly Goebel Yanez, the 2021 expansion club steps into Providence Park looking to build on the last result between the two clubs. On Sept. 2, 2023, Racing earned their first victory over the Thorns in NWSL play with a 2-1 scoreline at Lynn Family Stadium.
Forward Elexa Bahr leads the way for Louisville in 2024, with a goal and an assist through two matches. With a supporting cast consisting of forwards Reilyn Turner and Uchenna Kanu, Louisville will be a threat on offense. On the defensive end, midfielder/defender Taylor Kornieck will hold things down, she leads the club in clearances per match (5.5) and interceptions per 90 minutes (4.5).
Thorns FC's superstar – No. 9 Sophia Smith – has inked a new deal that keeps her at the club through 2025. She currently is tied for first in the Golden Boot race (2), leads the league in shots per 90 minutes (5.5), and leads the club in shots on target per 90 minutes (2.7).
Saturday marks the seventh all-time meeting between Portland and Louisville. Since their first matchup back on June 5, 2021 (a 3-0 victory for Portland), the Thorns have kept control of the series, recording five wins, one loss, and no draws. Portland's goal differential is an astonishing +10, having only allowed three Racing goals all-time.
Over the last couple years it has been two Thorns that have inflicted the most damage to the Portland-Louisville scoreline. In their last four matches, either Sophia Smith or Morgan Weaver have found the back of the net for the Thorns (two goals each).
When Portland and Louisville go to battle, sparks are sure to fly. In all six matches thus far, there have been at least over 1.5 goals scored by the end of each match. In fact, in four of the six matches the result has reflected over 2.5 total goals scored.
.avif)
