SAN JOSE, Cali. (Saturday, May 1, 2024) – Portland Thorns FC (3-3-1, 10 points) earned its second-consecutive road win with a 3-2 victory at Bay FC thanks to a brace from Sophia Smith and a goal in the second minute from rookie Payton Linnehan.
The Thorns got off to a flying start, finding the back of the net in just the second minute, with Sophia Smith slipping a forward pass to rookie Payton Linnehan, who slammed her shot into the upper netting. The goal comes in Linnehan’s first-ever professional start and marks her first goal contribution of any kind since being selected in the first round of the 2024 NWSL Draft.
Five minutes later the Thorns doubled their lead, this time the reverse of the first goal with Smith finding the back of the net, assisted by Linnehan. The goal marks Smith’s sixth of the season, the most by any player in the National Women’s Soccer League this season.
Bay’s first real opportunity of the match came in the 14th minute, but goalkeeper Shelby Hogan was able to reach up and push Racheal Kundananji’s shot out for a corner kick. Just before the halftime break Bay FC was able to pull one back, with Kundananji threading her shot into the back of the net. The half would end shortly after with Portland taking the narrow 2-1 lead.
Coming out of the halftime break Bay FC pressed aggressively, seeking the equalizing goal, pressuring the Thorns’ backline relentlessly. In the 60th minute Deyna Castellanos brought Bay FC level, sliding onto a pass from Kundananji to make it 2-2.
With the scoreline level Bay FC found itself with several chances at a go-ahead goal, but each time Hogan was able to make the save. Just when it seemed as if the Bay had all of the momentum, Smith single-handlely pulled the Thorns back in front, hitting a curling left-footed shot into the back of the net to take the 3-2 lead.
After forward Morgan Weaver went down with an injury at the start of extra time the Thorns were forced to defend Bay down a player, but Portland was able to grind it out and secure the 3-2 win on the road.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
POR: Payton Linehan (Sophia Smith) 2nd minute: Smith found herself with the ball just outside of the 18-yard-box and after taking a couple touches she sent a forward pass to Linnehan. Mere feet in front of the goal, Linnehan launched a left-footed shot into the upper netting of the goal.
POR: Sophia Smith (Payton Linnehan) 7th minute: Linnehan found Smith wide open in the middle of the Thorns’ final third. Smith was able to outrun her defenders, creating a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper, taking a touch around the shot-stopper, she fired her shot into the back of the net.
BAY: Racheal Kundananji (Joelle Anderson) 41st minute: Anderson found Kundananji inside the box who then hit her shot into the far post, past the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper.
BAY: Deyna Castellanos (Racheal Kundananji) 60th minute: Kundananji drove towards goal before hitting a pass across the face of goal for Castellanos to slide into and redirect into the back of the net.
POR: Sophia Smith (Marissa Sheva) 78th minute: Sheva hit a long cross to Smith at the top of the 18-yard-box, who danced around her defender to curl a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn (Isabella Obaze 62’), Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg (Marie Müller 46’); Sam Coffey, Olivia Moultire, Hina Sugita (Marissa Sheva 76’); Janine Beckie (Ana Dias 76’), Sophia Smith, Payton Linnehan (Morgan Weaver 62’)
Subs not used: Emily Alvarado, Meaghan Nally, Olivia Wade-Katoa, Christine Sinclair
Bay FC (4-3-3): Lysianne Proulx; Alyssa Malonson (Savvy King 90+5’), Jen Beattie (Kayla Sharples 76’), Emily Menges, Madeline Moreau; Joelle Anderson (Maya Doms 76’), Jamie Shepherd, Dorian Bailey (Tess Boade 46’); Princess Marfo (Asisat Oshoala 82’), Deyna Castellanos, Racheal Kundananji
Subs not used: Katelyn Rowland, Caprice Dydasco, Caroline Conti, Kiki Pickett
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: POR: Payton Linehan (caution) 45+2’
POR: Ana Dias (caution) 90+6’
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
SAN JOSE, Cali. (Saturday, May 1, 2024) – Portland Thorns FC (3-3-1, 10 points) earned its second-consecutive road win with a 3-2 victory at Bay FC thanks to a brace from Sophia Smith and a goal in the second minute from rookie Payton Linnehan.
The Thorns got off to a flying start, finding the back of the net in just the second minute, with Sophia Smith slipping a forward pass to rookie Payton Linnehan, who slammed her shot into the upper netting. The goal comes in Linnehan’s first-ever professional start and marks her first goal contribution of any kind since being selected in the first round of the 2024 NWSL Draft.
Five minutes later the Thorns doubled their lead, this time the reverse of the first goal with Smith finding the back of the net, assisted by Linnehan. The goal marks Smith’s sixth of the season, the most by any player in the National Women’s Soccer League this season.
Bay’s first real opportunity of the match came in the 14th minute, but goalkeeper Shelby Hogan was able to reach up and push Racheal Kundananji’s shot out for a corner kick. Just before the halftime break Bay FC was able to pull one back, with Kundananji threading her shot into the back of the net. The half would end shortly after with Portland taking the narrow 2-1 lead.
Coming out of the halftime break Bay FC pressed aggressively, seeking the equalizing goal, pressuring the Thorns’ backline relentlessly. In the 60th minute Deyna Castellanos brought Bay FC level, sliding onto a pass from Kundananji to make it 2-2.
With the scoreline level Bay FC found itself with several chances at a go-ahead goal, but each time Hogan was able to make the save. Just when it seemed as if the Bay had all of the momentum, Smith single-handlely pulled the Thorns back in front, hitting a curling left-footed shot into the back of the net to take the 3-2 lead.
After forward Morgan Weaver went down with an injury at the start of extra time the Thorns were forced to defend Bay down a player, but Portland was able to grind it out and secure the 3-2 win on the road.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
POR: Payton Linehan (Sophia Smith) 2nd minute: Smith found herself with the ball just outside of the 18-yard-box and after taking a couple touches she sent a forward pass to Linnehan. Mere feet in front of the goal, Linnehan launched a left-footed shot into the upper netting of the goal.
POR: Sophia Smith (Payton Linnehan) 7th minute: Linnehan found Smith wide open in the middle of the Thorns’ final third. Smith was able to outrun her defenders, creating a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper, taking a touch around the shot-stopper, she fired her shot into the back of the net.
BAY: Racheal Kundananji (Joelle Anderson) 41st minute: Anderson found Kundananji inside the box who then hit her shot into the far post, past the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper.
BAY: Deyna Castellanos (Racheal Kundananji) 60th minute: Kundananji drove towards goal before hitting a pass across the face of goal for Castellanos to slide into and redirect into the back of the net.
POR: Sophia Smith (Marissa Sheva) 78th minute: Sheva hit a long cross to Smith at the top of the 18-yard-box, who danced around her defender to curl a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn (Isabella Obaze 62’), Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg (Marie Müller 46’); Sam Coffey, Olivia Moultire, Hina Sugita (Marissa Sheva 76’); Janine Beckie (Ana Dias 76’), Sophia Smith, Payton Linnehan (Morgan Weaver 62’)
Subs not used: Emily Alvarado, Meaghan Nally, Olivia Wade-Katoa, Christine Sinclair
Bay FC (4-3-3): Lysianne Proulx; Alyssa Malonson (Savvy King 90+5’), Jen Beattie (Kayla Sharples 76’), Emily Menges, Madeline Moreau; Joelle Anderson (Maya Doms 76’), Jamie Shepherd, Dorian Bailey (Tess Boade 46’); Princess Marfo (Asisat Oshoala 82’), Deyna Castellanos, Racheal Kundananji
Subs not used: Katelyn Rowland, Caprice Dydasco, Caroline Conti, Kiki Pickett
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: POR: Payton Linehan (caution) 45+2’
POR: Ana Dias (caution) 90+6’
.avif)
