PORTLAND THORNS END 2024 SEASON WITH 2-1 LOSS IN QUARTERFINAL OF NWSL PLAYOFFS

HARRISON, New Jersey (Sunday, November 10, 2024) – Portland Thorns ended its 2024 season with a 2-1 loss at Gotham FC in the Quarterfinal of the NWSL Playoffs.

Gotham came out as the aggressors, establishing control of the possession in the early moments of the match while forcing the Thorns to make several defensive stops. In the 42nd minute it looked as if Sophia Smith had given Portland the lead, but the goal was called back due to her being in an offside position.

The first half ended moments later, with both sides still fighting for the opening goal, heading into the halftime break scoreless.

At the start of the second half it seemed as if Gotham would have a chance to take the lead with a penalty kick opportunity for a possible handball inside the box, but after Video Assisted Review the referee ruled it a corner kick. Moments later Gotham finally broke through when Tierna Davidson chipped in a free-kick cross from Lynn Williams to give the home team the 1-0 lead.

The Thorns equalized in the 75th minute after a free kick saw Olivia Moultrie lift a cross directly onto the head of rookie Reilyn Turner who flicked the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Portland nearly had to go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute when Morgan Weaver’s shot bounced off the crossbar, mere inches from the back of the net.

Gotham retook the lead with the eventual game winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time, with Rose Lavelle slotting a shot into the back of the net to secure the 2-1 win. 

UP NEXT: Portland Thorns will return in the new year for the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season.

GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN:

GFC: Tierna Davidson (Lynn Williams) 67th minute: After earning a free kick opportunity, Williams lofted the ball into the 18-yard-box where Davidson was able to volley her shot into the back of the net.

POR: Reilyn Turner (Olivia Moultrie) 76th minute: Hina Sugita won a free kick just outside of the 18-yard-box, prompting Moultrie to cross the ball, placing it directly onto the head of Turner who flicked her shot into the back of the net.

GFC: Rose Lavelle (Delanie Sheehan) 90+7th minute: Sheehan drove towards the endline before cutting back to send a low cross to Lavelle who slipped a shot past the goalkeeper.

LINEUPS:

Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller, Jessie Fleming (Olivia Moultrie 65’), Sam Coffey, Hina Sugita, Morgan Weaver (Payton Linnehan 90+2’), Christine Sinclair (Reilyn Turner 65’), Sophia Smith

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Subs not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze, Nicole Payne, Marissa Sheva, Izzy D’Aquila, Alexa Spaanstra

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Gotham FC (4-3-3): Ann-Katrin Berger, Mandy Freeman (Bruninha 90’), Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, Jess Carter (Jenna Nighswonger 81’), Nealy Martin, Ella Stevens, Lynn Williams (Delanie Sheehan 90’), Rose Lavelle (McCall Zerboni 90+11), Yazmeen Ryan, Esther González

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Subs not used: Michelle Betos, Jessica Silva, Sam Hia

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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.
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The Thorns came out into the second half much more threatening in Orlando’s half and finally broke the deadlock in the 58^th 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 63^rd 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 88^th minute — curled the ball into the goal from outside the box in the 96^th 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

• Pietra Tordin extended her assist tally to nine, sitting alongside Croix Bethune (KC) for most in the league so far this season. Tordin is one assist away from equalizing the league record for assists which is 10 (Tobin Heath, POR 2016 and Croix Bethune, KC 2024).  
• Deyna Castellanos scored her first goal of the 2026 season.
• Caiya Hanks, who was removed off the Season-Ending Injury list, made her return to the pitch for the first time since June 15, 2025 and scored the game-winner.
• M.A. Vignola got her first assist of the season.
• The Thorns have gone 12 home regular season matches (dating back to September 2025) without losing (8W,4D), extending the current club record.
• The Thorns have not lost at home in 2026 (6W,3D).
• In seven matches since 2018, Portland has not lost at home against Orlando (7W-0L-0D).

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

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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

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