Portland Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey and forward Sophia Smith have been named to their first United States Women’s National Team Olympic roster by Head Coach Emma Hayes. Coffey and Smith will represent the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. The Portland Thorns’ “From Portland to Paris” Olympic coverage is presented by Alaska Airlines.
These Olympic Games will mark the first major tournament, of any kind, for Coffey, who has appeared in 17 matches for the United States, contributing one goal and one assist. Of the team’s 10 matches, thus far, in 2024, Coffey has appeared in all of them, starting in eight, during which she recorded a 5-1-2 record as part of the Starting XI.
“Making the Olympic roster is a lifelong dream come true,” Coffey said. “I’m so honored and I could not be more excited to represent Team USA, and the Thorns at such an incredible event.”
This will be the second major tournament for Smith, following her inclusion in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Since making her debut, Smith has recorded 19 goals and eight assists in 48 appearances. She has contributed to 25% of the United States’ goals in 2024, scoring four goals, while assisting on an additional two goals.
“It's always an honor to represent the United States, but to do so at the Olympics is a privilege that is difficult to put into words,” Smith said. “Every kid dreams of getting to be a part of the Olympics, including myself, and I cannot wait to hopefully bring home another Gold Medal for the United States.”
The United States will begin its 2024 Olympic campaign as members of Group B, facing Zambia on July 25 to kick off the tournament. The Red, White and Blue will then compete against Germany on July 28 and Australia on July 31 to close out group play. The United States group stage matches will be played between Nice and Marseille at the Allianz Riviera and Stade Vélodrome, respectively. The top two finishers from each group, as well as the top two of the third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage. The Gold medal match is set to be played at Parc des Princes in Paris, France on August 10.
Coffey and Smith will depart the Rose City to join the United States following the Thorns’ July 5 Olympic Send-Off match against San Diego Wave at Providence Park, presented by Alaska Airlines. Prior to the start of the Olympics, the United States will compete in two friendly matches against Mexico on July 13 and Costa Rica on July 16 before heading to France.
The Portland Thorns are set to continue National Women’s Soccer League play on Saturday, June 29 against the Utah Royals in Sandy, Utah with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. PT, broadcast live on ION.
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 midfielder Sam Coffey and forward Sophia Smith have been named to their first United States Women’s National Team Olympic roster by Head Coach Emma Hayes. Coffey and Smith will represent the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. The Portland Thorns’ “From Portland to Paris” Olympic coverage is presented by Alaska Airlines.
These Olympic Games will mark the first major tournament, of any kind, for Coffey, who has appeared in 17 matches for the United States, contributing one goal and one assist. Of the team’s 10 matches, thus far, in 2024, Coffey has appeared in all of them, starting in eight, during which she recorded a 5-1-2 record as part of the Starting XI.
“Making the Olympic roster is a lifelong dream come true,” Coffey said. “I’m so honored and I could not be more excited to represent Team USA, and the Thorns at such an incredible event.”
This will be the second major tournament for Smith, following her inclusion in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Since making her debut, Smith has recorded 19 goals and eight assists in 48 appearances. She has contributed to 25% of the United States’ goals in 2024, scoring four goals, while assisting on an additional two goals.
“It's always an honor to represent the United States, but to do so at the Olympics is a privilege that is difficult to put into words,” Smith said. “Every kid dreams of getting to be a part of the Olympics, including myself, and I cannot wait to hopefully bring home another Gold Medal for the United States.”
The United States will begin its 2024 Olympic campaign as members of Group B, facing Zambia on July 25 to kick off the tournament. The Red, White and Blue will then compete against Germany on July 28 and Australia on July 31 to close out group play. The United States group stage matches will be played between Nice and Marseille at the Allianz Riviera and Stade Vélodrome, respectively. The top two finishers from each group, as well as the top two of the third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage. The Gold medal match is set to be played at Parc des Princes in Paris, France on August 10.
Coffey and Smith will depart the Rose City to join the United States following the Thorns’ July 5 Olympic Send-Off match against San Diego Wave at Providence Park, presented by Alaska Airlines. Prior to the start of the Olympics, the United States will compete in two friendly matches against Mexico on July 13 and Costa Rica on July 16 before heading to France.
The Portland Thorns are set to continue National Women’s Soccer League play on Saturday, June 29 against the Utah Royals in Sandy, Utah with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. PT, broadcast live on ION.
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