PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have re-signed free agent defender Meghan Klingenberg to a one-year contract, keeping the FIFA Women’s World Cup Winner and two-time NWSL Champion in the Rose City through 2024, the club announced today.
“Portland is a special place to be. There is so much hope and joy to be found here and I’m truly excited to be part of this new beginning. It’s what the players and this town deserves, and I can't wait to be reunited on the pitch with all of you this year,” Klingenberg said.
As an eight-year veteran of Thorns FC, Klingenberg has been a vital part of Portland’s success, winning the 2017 and 2022 NWSL Championship, the 2016 and 2021 NWSL Shield, the 2020 NWSL Community Shield, the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup and the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup. The defender has appeared in 144 appearances for Thorns FC, and 156 matches across her NWSL career.
“Kling’s dedication to the team, as well as the city of Portland, has been an important asset for us and what makes her so special to this club,” Portland Thorns FC General Manager Karina LeBlanc said. “We are thrilled to be able to have her with us as we begin this next chapter of Thorns FC.”
In August of 2023, against the North Carolina Courage, Klingenberg became the 24th player in league history, and the fourth in club history, to eclipse 150 games played in the National Women’s Soccer League.
“We are pleased to have Kling continue with the Thorns family through 2024. She has played a pivotal role, both on and off the field, for this group for many years and we look forward to working with her this coming season,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She has a history of winning at both the club and national team level and this will be a key ingredient within our roster as we push to get back to winning ways in 2024.”
As a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, Klingenberg helped lift the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, playing every minute of all seven games throughout the tournament. Her performance at the tournament saw her earn a spot in the FIFPro Women’s World XI and the FIFA Women’s World Cup All-Star Team. In total, Klingenberg has played in 74 matches for the United States, scoring three goals.
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 have re-signed free agent defender Meghan Klingenberg to a one-year contract, keeping the FIFA Women’s World Cup Winner and two-time NWSL Champion in the Rose City through 2024, the club announced today.
“Portland is a special place to be. There is so much hope and joy to be found here and I’m truly excited to be part of this new beginning. It’s what the players and this town deserves, and I can't wait to be reunited on the pitch with all of you this year,” Klingenberg said.
As an eight-year veteran of Thorns FC, Klingenberg has been a vital part of Portland’s success, winning the 2017 and 2022 NWSL Championship, the 2016 and 2021 NWSL Shield, the 2020 NWSL Community Shield, the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup and the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup. The defender has appeared in 144 appearances for Thorns FC, and 156 matches across her NWSL career.
“Kling’s dedication to the team, as well as the city of Portland, has been an important asset for us and what makes her so special to this club,” Portland Thorns FC General Manager Karina LeBlanc said. “We are thrilled to be able to have her with us as we begin this next chapter of Thorns FC.”
In August of 2023, against the North Carolina Courage, Klingenberg became the 24th player in league history, and the fourth in club history, to eclipse 150 games played in the National Women’s Soccer League.
“We are pleased to have Kling continue with the Thorns family through 2024. She has played a pivotal role, both on and off the field, for this group for many years and we look forward to working with her this coming season,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She has a history of winning at both the club and national team level and this will be a key ingredient within our roster as we push to get back to winning ways in 2024.”
As a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, Klingenberg helped lift the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, playing every minute of all seven games throughout the tournament. Her performance at the tournament saw her earn a spot in the FIFPro Women’s World XI and the FIFA Women’s World Cup All-Star Team. In total, Klingenberg has played in 74 matches for the United States, scoring three goals.
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