Thorns Suffer First Loss of the Season 3-1 on the Road vs San Diego Wave

‍Pietra Tordin continues hot start with fourth goal contribution of the 2026 season.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Wednesday, March 25, 2026) – The Portland Thorns suffered its first defeat of the 2026 season, going down 3-1 against San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Thorns would start the match down early in second minute after Wave forward Dudinha ran into the box to strike the ball into the bottom right corner, but Portland immediately switched its gears back on and equalized just six minutes later after forward Pietra Tordin intercepted a ball in the Wave half and ran it into the box to take her shot. The ball hit the crossbar but bounced right back at Tordin’s feet, tapping it into the open net to get things leveled up and record her team-leading second goal of the year.

The two sides would ensue in a back-and-forth battle looking to score their second and it would be the hosts who doubled first after a goal line clearance from Thorns defender Marie Müller saw the ball land at the feet of Dudinha and she laid it off to teammate midfielder Lia Godfrey who placed the ball into the top net. From there, the Wave continued to push for a third, but the Thorns defense held on to go into the break a goal down.

The second half saw the Thorns continue to defend against the Wave’s attack, managing to keep the scoreline tight until the 81’ once San Diego forward Melanie Barcenas scored the third off a rebounded save made by Portland goalkeeper Morgan Messner.

While the Thorns could not get the win on the road, they have an opportunity back at home this Saturday afternoon against Kansas City Current to get back in the winning column.

UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns are back at Providence Park to host Kansas City Current on Saturday, March 28 with kickoff on CBS and Paramount+ scheduled for 1 pm PT.

TEAM NOTES

• Pietra Tordin (F) has four goal contributions in the opening three matches of Portland’s 2026 season. She leads the Thorns in both goals (2) and assists (2).
• Deyna Castellanos (F) and Mallie McKenzie (D) made their first appearances of the 2026 season.

GOAL BREAKDOWN

First Half

SD – Dudinha (Gia Corley) 2’
POR – Pietra Tordin 8’
SD – Lia Godfrey (Dudinha) 27’

Second Half

SD – Melanie Barcenas 82’

LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-2-3-1): Morgan Messner GK, M.A. Vignola (Jayden Perry 78’), Isabella Obaze, Sam Hiatt - C, Marie Müller (Mallie McKenzie 57’), Shae Harvey (Deyna Castellanos 46’), Jessie Fleming, Mimi Alidou (Sophia Wilson 46’), Olivia Moultrie, Reilyn Turner (Maddie Padelski 68’), Pietra Tordin
Subs not used: Mackenzie Wood (GK), Carolyn Calzada, Jennie Immethun, Valerin Loboa

San Diego Wave FC (4-3-3): Leah Freeman (GK), Perle Morroni (Nya Harrison 90+2’), Kristen McNabb, Kennedy Wesley, Mimi Van Zanten (Kiki Pickett 65’), Kenza Dali-C, Kimmi Ascanio, Gia Gorley (Jordan Fusco 90+2’), Lia Godfrey (Gabi Portilho 77’), Dudinha (Melanie Barcenas 77’), Ludmila
Subs not used: Luisa Agudelo (GK), Laurina Fazer, Tatum Wynalda, Daniela Arias

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

POR: Olivia Moultrie (Yellow) 61’
SD: Perle Morroni (Yellow) 54’

MATCH STATS

POR | SD

Goals: 1|3
Assists: 0|2
Possession: 35|65
Shots: 16|18
Shots on Target: 4|11
Saves: 4|2
Tackles: 18|16
Tackles Won: 12|10
Interceptions: 6|12
Fouls: 14|9
Offsides: 2|1
Corner Kicks: 6|3

ATTENDANCE: 8,428

REFEREE: Jaclyn Metz
ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Ricardo Ocampo
ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: Kristen Patterson
4^TH OFFICIAL: Trevor Wiseman
VAR: Alexandra Billeter
ASSISTANT VAR: Karen Coulson