PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have signed University of Georgia defender Mallie McKenzie to a one-year contract with a mutual second-year option. The former Bulldog earns her contract after being with the team throughout the Thorns’ preseason.
“Mallie is someone we identified through our college scouting process, and we were eager to bring her in to our preseason. She has come in and worked hard each and every day, and proven herself. She fits in culturally with who we are as a club, and we are excited to officially welcome her to the Portland Thorns,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said.
McKenzie spent five years as a member of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, where she recorded six goals and 22 assists, which put her fourth on the all-time program list for assists. During her graduate season, McKenzie set a program record for appearances, playing in 98 matches for the Bulldogs. This past season McKenzie helped Georgia earn its first-ever Southeastern Conference (SEC) title, earning herself a spot on the 2023 SEC All-Tournament Team.
“Mallie came into preseason and impressed us with her bravery and mindset,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She has shown some great physical qualities to match that mindset and a willingness to grow and develop. We are excited to add these qualities to our roster.”
The Thorns are set to host NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday, March 24 at 4:00pm PT for the team’s Home Opener at Providence Park. Tickets are available for purchase, and fans can also catch the match on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
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 signed University of Georgia defender Mallie McKenzie to a one-year contract with a mutual second-year option. The former Bulldog earns her contract after being with the team throughout the Thorns’ preseason.
“Mallie is someone we identified through our college scouting process, and we were eager to bring her in to our preseason. She has come in and worked hard each and every day, and proven herself. She fits in culturally with who we are as a club, and we are excited to officially welcome her to the Portland Thorns,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said.
McKenzie spent five years as a member of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, where she recorded six goals and 22 assists, which put her fourth on the all-time program list for assists. During her graduate season, McKenzie set a program record for appearances, playing in 98 matches for the Bulldogs. This past season McKenzie helped Georgia earn its first-ever Southeastern Conference (SEC) title, earning herself a spot on the 2023 SEC All-Tournament Team.
“Mallie came into preseason and impressed us with her bravery and mindset,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She has shown some great physical qualities to match that mindset and a willingness to grow and develop. We are excited to add these qualities to our roster.”
The Thorns are set to host NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday, March 24 at 4:00pm PT for the team’s Home Opener at Providence Park. Tickets are available for purchase, and fans can also catch the match on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
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