PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC defender Becky Sauerbrunn has been named to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for the upcoming 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup, joining her teammates Sam Coffey, Olivia Moultrie and Sophia Smith.
Portland will now have six players represented at the Gold Cup. In addition to the quartet of Americans, midfielder Jessie Fleming and defender Reyna Reyes have been called upon to represent Canada and Mexico, respectively. Thorns FC will now have the second-most players at the Gold Cup from a single National Women’s Soccer League team, second only to NJ/NY Gotham FC who have seven players competing at the tournament.
Sauerbrunn has appeared in 217 matches for the United States, including a recent friendly against Colombia in October of 2023. Throughout a 15-year career with the USWNT, Sauerbrunn has played a role in lifting back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup trophies, as well as earning Olympic medals at both the 2012 and 2020 games.
The Thorns are slated to begin the season on March 16 against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium before returning to Providence Park on March 24 for the home opener against NJ/NY Gotham FC, tickets for which are on sale now.
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, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC defender Becky Sauerbrunn has been named to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for the upcoming 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup, joining her teammates Sam Coffey, Olivia Moultrie and Sophia Smith.
Portland will now have six players represented at the Gold Cup. In addition to the quartet of Americans, midfielder Jessie Fleming and defender Reyna Reyes have been called upon to represent Canada and Mexico, respectively. Thorns FC will now have the second-most players at the Gold Cup from a single National Women’s Soccer League team, second only to NJ/NY Gotham FC who have seven players competing at the tournament.
Sauerbrunn has appeared in 217 matches for the United States, including a recent friendly against Colombia in October of 2023. Throughout a 15-year career with the USWNT, Sauerbrunn has played a role in lifting back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup trophies, as well as earning Olympic medals at both the 2012 and 2020 games.
The Thorns are slated to begin the season on March 16 against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium before returning to Providence Park on March 24 for the home opener against NJ/NY Gotham FC, tickets for which are on sale now.
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