PORTLAND, Oregon (Saturday, March 30, 2024) – Portland Thorns FC (0-2-1, 1 point) completed a come-from-behind draw with second-half goals from Morgan Weaver and Sam Coffey to earn the 2-2 result.
Louisville quickly put Portland on their back heels with two goals in the first six minutes from Uchenna Kanu, leaving the Thorns chasing the match. With the two-goal lead in hand, Louisville was content to sit back and preserve the lead for the remainder of the half, not allowing Portland any clear chances to try and cut the deficit.
Coming out of the halftime break, second-half substitute Meghan Klingenberg nearly pulled one back in the 51st minute, but Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund was able to get a finger to the ball and push it out for a corner kick. In the ensuing corner kick, a poor clearance from Racing led to chaos inside the penalty box. The ball fell to the feet of Sophia Smith, who played a short pass to Morgan Weaver, allowing the forward to slot a curling ball into the far post to cut the scoreline in half.
Portland continued to fight for the equalizer, pestering Louisville’s backline, but the Thorns were unable to find the elusive second goal in regulation.
In the ninth minute of stoppage time, defender Kelli Hubly slotted a short pass forward to Sam Coffey who drove towards goal and through several defenders, before launching a shot past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. With the score level 2-2, Portland continued to press for the game winner, but were unable to find it before the final whistle blew.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
LOU: Uchenna Kanu, 3rd minute: Kanu received the ball inside the 18-yard-box where she took a couple touches to her outside before cutting across her body and tucking her shot into the lower-right corner of the goal.
LOU: Uchenna Kanu (Reilyn Turner) 6th minute: Turner crossed a deep ball towards the penalty area where Kanu was able to rise up above two defenders and flick the ball into the back of the net.
POR: Morgan Weaver (Sophia Smith) 52nd minute: After a poor clearance inside the box, Smith found herself with the ball at her feet, where she played a short pass to Weaver on her left. Upon receiving the ball, Weaver hit a curling shot into the far-side netting.
POR: Sam Coffey (Kelli Hubly) 99th minute: Hubly slotted a short pass to Coffey outside the top of the 18-yard-box who then drove towards goal before ripping a shot into the top of the goal.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Marie Müller, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Reyna Reyes (Meghan Klingenberg 46’), Olivia Moultrie (Hina Sugita 46’), Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming, Morgan Weaver, Sophia Smith, Janine Beckie (Izzy D’Aquila 64’)
Subs not used: Lauren Kozal, Isabella Obaze, Marissa Sheva, Christine Sinclair, Olivia Wade-Katoa
Racing Louisville (4-4-2): Katie Lund, Carson Pickett, Abby Erceg, Elli Pikkujämsä (Ellie Jean 72’), Lauren Milliet, Jaelin Howell, Taylor Flint, Uchenna Kanu, Kayla Fischer (Marisa DiGrande 72’), Elexa Bahr (Emma Sears 56’), Reilyn Turner (Parker Goins 72’)
Subs not used: Jordyn Bloomer, Linda Motlhalo, Maddie Pokorny, Jordan Paggett
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: POR: Jessie Fleming (caution) 24’
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, Oregon (Saturday, March 30, 2024) – Portland Thorns FC (0-2-1, 1 point) completed a come-from-behind draw with second-half goals from Morgan Weaver and Sam Coffey to earn the 2-2 result.
Louisville quickly put Portland on their back heels with two goals in the first six minutes from Uchenna Kanu, leaving the Thorns chasing the match. With the two-goal lead in hand, Louisville was content to sit back and preserve the lead for the remainder of the half, not allowing Portland any clear chances to try and cut the deficit.
Coming out of the halftime break, second-half substitute Meghan Klingenberg nearly pulled one back in the 51st minute, but Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund was able to get a finger to the ball and push it out for a corner kick. In the ensuing corner kick, a poor clearance from Racing led to chaos inside the penalty box. The ball fell to the feet of Sophia Smith, who played a short pass to Morgan Weaver, allowing the forward to slot a curling ball into the far post to cut the scoreline in half.
Portland continued to fight for the equalizer, pestering Louisville’s backline, but the Thorns were unable to find the elusive second goal in regulation.
In the ninth minute of stoppage time, defender Kelli Hubly slotted a short pass forward to Sam Coffey who drove towards goal and through several defenders, before launching a shot past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. With the score level 2-2, Portland continued to press for the game winner, but were unable to find it before the final whistle blew.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
LOU: Uchenna Kanu, 3rd minute: Kanu received the ball inside the 18-yard-box where she took a couple touches to her outside before cutting across her body and tucking her shot into the lower-right corner of the goal.
LOU: Uchenna Kanu (Reilyn Turner) 6th minute: Turner crossed a deep ball towards the penalty area where Kanu was able to rise up above two defenders and flick the ball into the back of the net.
POR: Morgan Weaver (Sophia Smith) 52nd minute: After a poor clearance inside the box, Smith found herself with the ball at her feet, where she played a short pass to Weaver on her left. Upon receiving the ball, Weaver hit a curling shot into the far-side netting.
POR: Sam Coffey (Kelli Hubly) 99th minute: Hubly slotted a short pass to Coffey outside the top of the 18-yard-box who then drove towards goal before ripping a shot into the top of the goal.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Marie Müller, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Reyna Reyes (Meghan Klingenberg 46’), Olivia Moultrie (Hina Sugita 46’), Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming, Morgan Weaver, Sophia Smith, Janine Beckie (Izzy D’Aquila 64’)
Subs not used: Lauren Kozal, Isabella Obaze, Marissa Sheva, Christine Sinclair, Olivia Wade-Katoa
Racing Louisville (4-4-2): Katie Lund, Carson Pickett, Abby Erceg, Elli Pikkujämsä (Ellie Jean 72’), Lauren Milliet, Jaelin Howell, Taylor Flint, Uchenna Kanu, Kayla Fischer (Marisa DiGrande 72’), Elexa Bahr (Emma Sears 56’), Reilyn Turner (Parker Goins 72’)
Subs not used: Jordyn Bloomer, Linda Motlhalo, Maddie Pokorny, Jordan Paggett
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: POR: Jessie Fleming (caution) 24’
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