In a hard-fought contest at the Coachella Valley Invitational, Portland Thorns FC fell 2-1 to Angel City FC in a match filled with key debuts and stellar performances. Despite the last minute loss, the team played an exciting brand of soccer giving glimpses of what fans can expect this coming season
It was a highly anticipated debut for Venezuelan International Forward Deyna Castellanos, who made an impressive impact in her first 60 minutes of play. Alongside her, UCLA product Defender Jayden Perry and Brazilian Defender Daiane also had their debut in Thorns colors, giving coach Rob Gale some exciting new options on the backline.
Between the posts, Australian International Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold delivered a commanding performance, already looking to be in top form ahead of the season. Arnold was particularly impressive in the 64th minute when she made a critical penalty kick save, diving low to her left and denying Angel City's Christen Press a chance to equalize.
Goal-Scoring Plays
Portland – Payton Linnehan, 57th minute: The Thorns broke the deadlock after some confusion among the Angel City defenders. Payton Linnehan pounced on the opportunity in the box, showing great composure and skill to curl a shot past the keeper, giving Portland a 1-0 lead.
Angel City – Lily Nabet, 67th minute: After Mackenzie Arnold made a spectacular save on a Sydney Leroux header, Angel City responded from the ensuing corner. The ball was delivered into the box, where Forward Lily Nabet rose to head it home, finding the far corner to level the score at 1-1.
Angel City – Scottie Antonucci, 93rd minute: In the dying moments of the match, Macey Hodge dispossessed a Thorn and quickly fed Midfielder Scottie Antonucci on the break. Antonucci unleashed a blistering shot from the top of the box, which found the back of the net to give Angel City the 2-1 win.
Thorns FC return to action at the Coachella Valley Invitational next Saturday, February 22 facing the Houston Dash at 10am.
The Thorns are slated to begin the regular season on March 15 against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium before returning to Providence Park on March 21 for the home opener against Angel City FC, tickets for which are on sale now. For more information on the Thorns, please visit www.thornsfc.com.
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
In a hard-fought contest at the Coachella Valley Invitational, Portland Thorns FC fell 2-1 to Angel City FC in a match filled with key debuts and stellar performances. Despite the last minute loss, the team played an exciting brand of soccer giving glimpses of what fans can expect this coming season
It was a highly anticipated debut for Venezuelan International Forward Deyna Castellanos, who made an impressive impact in her first 60 minutes of play. Alongside her, UCLA product Defender Jayden Perry and Brazilian Defender Daiane also had their debut in Thorns colors, giving coach Rob Gale some exciting new options on the backline.
Between the posts, Australian International Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold delivered a commanding performance, already looking to be in top form ahead of the season. Arnold was particularly impressive in the 64th minute when she made a critical penalty kick save, diving low to her left and denying Angel City's Christen Press a chance to equalize.
Goal-Scoring Plays
Portland – Payton Linnehan, 57th minute: The Thorns broke the deadlock after some confusion among the Angel City defenders. Payton Linnehan pounced on the opportunity in the box, showing great composure and skill to curl a shot past the keeper, giving Portland a 1-0 lead.
Angel City – Lily Nabet, 67th minute: After Mackenzie Arnold made a spectacular save on a Sydney Leroux header, Angel City responded from the ensuing corner. The ball was delivered into the box, where Forward Lily Nabet rose to head it home, finding the far corner to level the score at 1-1.
Angel City – Scottie Antonucci, 93rd minute: In the dying moments of the match, Macey Hodge dispossessed a Thorn and quickly fed Midfielder Scottie Antonucci on the break. Antonucci unleashed a blistering shot from the top of the box, which found the back of the net to give Angel City the 2-1 win.
Thorns FC return to action at the Coachella Valley Invitational next Saturday, February 22 facing the Houston Dash at 10am.
The Thorns are slated to begin the regular season on March 15 against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium before returning to Providence Park on March 21 for the home opener against Angel City FC, tickets for which are on sale now. For more information on the Thorns, please visit www.thornsfc.com.
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