Portland Thorns FC Fall to Houston Dash 3-2 in Coachella Valley Invitational Finale
Portland Thorns FC concluded their participation in the Coachella Valley Invitational with a 3-2 loss to the Houston Dash in their final match of the tournament. Finishing with a record of 0-2, the Thorns prioritized valuable match minutes over the results, using the games as a key part of their pre-season preparation ahead of the 2025 season.
The Thorns saw goals from Reilyn Turner, who scored in the first half, and non-roster invitee Margie Detrizio, whose second-half goal sparked a renewed energy in the team’s push to level the match. Despite the late surge, Portland fell just short of the comeback.
Goalkeeper Bella Bixby made her long-awaited return to competitive action, playing her first full 90 minutes since maternity leave and receiving a warm reception from fans. The match also saw midfielder Carissa Boeckman make her Thorns debut, while academy products Julia Joseph (defender) and Sophia Stiles (defender) had the opportunity to gain valuable experience with the first team.
Head coach Rob Gale shared his thoughts on the pre-season goals: "We hit all the pre-season objectives we had in place: To build from game to game, training session to training session, and work up the minutes from 30 to 45 and get players match comfortable past 60 minutes. We also managed to get some academy players experience at this level with some of the internationals away, so lots of positives and good to see some NWSL opposition in competitive matches. Very worthwhile week in Coachella."
The Thorns will conclude their pre-season schedule back at Providence Park on March 7 against Utah Royals. The 2025 regular season will begin on March 15 against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium, before the Thorns return home for the season opener on March 21 against Angel City FC. Tickets for the home opener are on sale now, and more information can be found at 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
Portland Thorns FC Fall to Houston Dash 3-2 in Coachella Valley Invitational Finale
Portland Thorns FC concluded their participation in the Coachella Valley Invitational with a 3-2 loss to the Houston Dash in their final match of the tournament. Finishing with a record of 0-2, the Thorns prioritized valuable match minutes over the results, using the games as a key part of their pre-season preparation ahead of the 2025 season.
The Thorns saw goals from Reilyn Turner, who scored in the first half, and non-roster invitee Margie Detrizio, whose second-half goal sparked a renewed energy in the team’s push to level the match. Despite the late surge, Portland fell just short of the comeback.
Goalkeeper Bella Bixby made her long-awaited return to competitive action, playing her first full 90 minutes since maternity leave and receiving a warm reception from fans. The match also saw midfielder Carissa Boeckman make her Thorns debut, while academy products Julia Joseph (defender) and Sophia Stiles (defender) had the opportunity to gain valuable experience with the first team.
Head coach Rob Gale shared his thoughts on the pre-season goals: "We hit all the pre-season objectives we had in place: To build from game to game, training session to training session, and work up the minutes from 30 to 45 and get players match comfortable past 60 minutes. We also managed to get some academy players experience at this level with some of the internationals away, so lots of positives and good to see some NWSL opposition in competitive matches. Very worthwhile week in Coachella."
The Thorns will conclude their pre-season schedule back at Providence Park on March 7 against Utah Royals. The 2025 regular season will begin on March 15 against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium, before the Thorns return home for the season opener on March 21 against Angel City FC. Tickets for the home opener are on sale now, and more information can be found at www.thornsfc.com.
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