Forward Sophia Wilson and defender Marie Müller make their anticipated returns to the pitch.
PORTLAND, Ore. (Friday, March 6, 2026) – The Portland Thorns put on a dominant 5-1 display against C.F. Monterrey on Friday night at Providence Park for its final preseason contest ahead of the 2026 NWSL season.
The Thorns would take the pitch with a rotated lineup featuring defender Sam Hiatt as captain and numerous trialists on the starting lineup, including newcomer defender Molly McDougal as well as midfielder Jenni Immethun, midfielder Renee Lyles and forward Farrah Walters, the latter three remaining on the roster after the Coachella Valley Invitational last month.
Early on, the Thorns set the pace and immediately applied offensive pressure against Monterrey’s backline. Forward Alexa Spaanstra would draw a penalty in favor in the opening 10 minutes, stepping up to put the ball into the back of the net from the spot to break the deadlock.
From there, the goals did not stop for Portland as defender M.A.Vignola set up the next two goals for Lyles in the 22’ and 31’ respectively, giving the Georgia native her first experience of scoring at Providence Park.
While Monterrey forward Diana Evangelista would get one back following a deflection off the Thorns crossbar, Portland would respond minutes later with a series of goals again. Spaasntra’s deep cross would find defender Mallie McKenzie who struck the ball into the goal in the 42’ and Vignola would once again send a cross in to connect with Lyles who scored a third to secure her hat trick in the final moments of the first half.
After the break, the Thorns made several substitutions that included the highly anticipated returns of both defender Marie Müller and forward Sophia Wilson to the pitch which were met by a roar of cheers by those in attendance at Providence Park. It is the first time that both Wilson and Müller — who were both listed back on the active roster on Thursday — have seen game action for the Thorns since the playoff quarterfinal against Gotham FC in November 2024.
Midfielder Tatum Thomason and forward Taylor Bryan, both trialists, made appearances in the second half to get their first ever professional playing experience at Providence Park and Thorns Academy defender Lilly Yakel made her return to the squad since her first appearance with the team last summer in an exhibition win against Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds (3-2 penalty win after 1-1 regulation draw).
While the Thorns did not score in the second half, the Thorns continued to dominate play on the field and close out preseason preparations with a convincing win that will serve to boost confidence ahead of next Friday’s NWSL season opener at Washington Spirit.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns will head to Washington D.C. to face the Washington Spirit at Audi Field for a rematch of the 2025 NWSL Semifinal on Friday, March 13. Kickoff on Prime Video is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
GOAL BREAKDOWN
First Half
POR – Alexa Spaanstra (Penalty) 11’
POR – Renee Lyles (M.A. Vignola) 22’
POR – Renee Lyles (M.A. Vignola) 31’
MTY – Diana Evangelista 36’
POR – Mallie McKenzie (Alexa Spaanstra) 42’
POR – Renee Lyles (M.A. Vignola) 45+2’
Second Half
N/A
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Morgan Messner (GK), M.A. Vignola (Marie Müller 75’), Molly McDougal (Lilly Yakel 75’), Sam Hiatt-C, Mallie McKenzie, Jennie Immethun, Cassandra Bogere (Tatum Thomason 59’), Renee Lyles, Alexa Spaanstra, Maddie Padelski (Sophia Wilson 75’), Farrah Walters (Taylor Bryan 75’)
Subs not used: Erin McKinney (GK), Jessica Berlin (GK), Lily Boyden, Laila Booker, Bella Yakel, Jordyn Heathcock, Enasi Colon, Aaliyah Johnson
C.F. Monterrey (4-4-2): Pamela Tajonar-C (GK), Samantha Simental (Ana Vazquez 64’), Daiane (Reyna Treviño), Tanna Sanchez, Allison Veloz (Alejandra Lua 46’), Ashlyn Fernandez, Marisa Almada (Daniela Monroy 64’), Mayte Sanchez (Miranda Solia 64’), Jermaine Seoposenwe (Lucia Garcia 64’), Diana Evangelista, Christina Burkenroad (Emily Gielnik 64’)
Subs not used: Dasha Diaz
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: N/A
MTY: N/A
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
Forward Sophia Wilson and defender Marie Müller make their anticipated returns to the pitch.
PORTLAND, Ore. (Friday, March 6, 2026) – The Portland Thorns put on a dominant 5-1 display against C.F. Monterrey on Friday night at Providence Park for its final preseason contest ahead of the 2026 NWSL season.
The Thorns would take the pitch with a rotated lineup featuring defender Sam Hiatt as captain and numerous trialists on the starting lineup, including newcomer defender Molly McDougal as well as midfielder Jenni Immethun, midfielder Renee Lyles and forward Farrah Walters, the latter three remaining on the roster after the Coachella Valley Invitational last month.
Early on, the Thorns set the pace and immediately applied offensive pressure against Monterrey’s backline. Forward Alexa Spaanstra would draw a penalty in favor in the opening 10 minutes, stepping up to put the ball into the back of the net from the spot to break the deadlock.
From there, the goals did not stop for Portland as defender M.A.Vignola set up the next two goals for Lyles in the 22’ and 31’ respectively, giving the Georgia native her first experience of scoring at Providence Park.
While Monterrey forward Diana Evangelista would get one back following a deflection off the Thorns crossbar, Portland would respond minutes later with a series of goals again. Spaasntra’s deep cross would find defender Mallie McKenzie who struck the ball into the goal in the 42’ and Vignola would once again send a cross in to connect with Lyles who scored a third to secure her hat trick in the final moments of the first half.
After the break, the Thorns made several substitutions that included the highly anticipated returns of both defender Marie Müller and forward Sophia Wilson to the pitch which were met by a roar of cheers by those in attendance at Providence Park. It is the first time that both Wilson and Müller — who were both listed back on the active roster on Thursday — have seen game action for the Thorns since the playoff quarterfinal against Gotham FC in November 2024.
Midfielder Tatum Thomason and forward Taylor Bryan, both trialists, made appearances in the second half to get their first ever professional playing experience at Providence Park and Thorns Academy defender Lilly Yakel made her return to the squad since her first appearance with the team last summer in an exhibition win against Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds (3-2 penalty win after 1-1 regulation draw).
While the Thorns did not score in the second half, the Thorns continued to dominate play on the field and close out preseason preparations with a convincing win that will serve to boost confidence ahead of next Friday’s NWSL season opener at Washington Spirit.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns will head to Washington D.C. to face the Washington Spirit at Audi Field for a rematch of the 2025 NWSL Semifinal on Friday, March 13. Kickoff on Prime Video is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
GOAL BREAKDOWN
First Half
POR – Alexa Spaanstra (Penalty) 11’
POR – Renee Lyles (M.A. Vignola) 22’
POR – Renee Lyles (M.A. Vignola) 31’
MTY – Diana Evangelista 36’
POR – Mallie McKenzie (Alexa Spaanstra) 42’
POR – Renee Lyles (M.A. Vignola) 45+2’
Second Half
N/A
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Morgan Messner (GK), M.A. Vignola (Marie Müller 75’), Molly McDougal (Lilly Yakel 75’), Sam Hiatt-C, Mallie McKenzie, Jennie Immethun, Cassandra Bogere (Tatum Thomason 59’), Renee Lyles, Alexa Spaanstra, Maddie Padelski (Sophia Wilson 75’), Farrah Walters (Taylor Bryan 75’)
Subs not used: Erin McKinney (GK), Jessica Berlin (GK), Lily Boyden, Laila Booker, Bella Yakel, Jordyn Heathcock, Enasi Colon, Aaliyah Johnson
C.F. Monterrey (4-4-2): Pamela Tajonar-C (GK), Samantha Simental (Ana Vazquez 64’), Daiane (Reyna Treviño), Tanna Sanchez, Allison Veloz (Alejandra Lua 46’), Ashlyn Fernandez, Marisa Almada (Daniela Monroy 64’), Mayte Sanchez (Miranda Solia 64’), Jermaine Seoposenwe (Lucia Garcia 64’), Diana Evangelista, Christina Burkenroad (Emily Gielnik 64’)
Subs not used: Dasha Diaz
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: N/A
MTY: N/A
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