All articles tagged with #portland thorns
The Portland Thorns named Robert Vilahamn as head coach, pending his P1 visa, bringing experience from Tottenham Women and BK Häcken as they push for success in the 2026 NWSL season, which opens March 13 at Washington Spirit.
Sophia Wilson, a key player for the Portland Thorns and USWNT star, has exercised her 2026 player option to return to Portland, bringing her extensive accolades and leadership back to the team after maternity leave, aiming to help the Thorns contend for another championship in 2026.
The Portland Thorns have promoted head coach Mike Norris to technical director amid their worst start to an NWSL season, with Rob Gale named interim head coach. The club plans to conduct a global search for Norris' replacement, emphasizing the need for a thorough process. The decision reflects the team's commitment to growth and competitiveness. Despite their current last-place standing, the Thorns aim to turn their season around and remain optimistic about their talented squad.
Sophia Smith, the United States women's national team forward, has signed a new contract with the Portland Thorns, making her the highest-paid player annually in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The deal ties her to Portland through the 2025 season, with an option to extend through 2026. Smith, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NWSL draft, expressed her commitment to the team and the city of Portland, citing the new ownership's stability and forward-thinking mindset as key factors in her decision. She aims to continue growing as a player and leader for both her club and country.
Sophia Smith, the youngest NWSL MVP, has committed to the Portland Thorns with a multi-year contract extension through the 2025 season, with a player option for 2026. The 23-year-old forward has been a standout player for the Thorns, helping the team win multiple trophies and earning individual accolades. Smith's impressive performance extends to the international stage, where she has contributed significantly to the United States Women’s National Team's success.
Sophia Smith has signed a contract extension with the Portland Thorns, keeping her in the NWSL through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. The new deal makes her the highest-paid player in the league on an annual basis. Smith expressed her commitment to the club and its new ownership, citing the city as her home and emphasizing her desire to continue growing as a player. The 23-year-old forward aims to contribute to the team's success and help shape the Thorns into a championship-winning club, while also focusing on her personal development and leadership role within the team.
The Portland Thorns were defeated 1-0 by NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL playoff semifinal, ending their hopes of winning a second straight NWSL championship. The match went into extra time, but Portland couldn't find the breakthrough. The Thorns now face an uncertain offseason with potential roster changes and an ownership change looming.
The National Women's Soccer League playoffs are set to begin, with six teams vying for the championship. The San Diego Wave and Portland Thorns have secured byes as the top two finishers, but face challenges in the playoffs. Each team has strengths and weaknesses that will determine their chances of winning the championship. The Wave's solid defense and home-field advantage could work in their favor, while the Thorns' talented roster and previous championship experience make them contenders. The North Carolina Courage's possession-based style and the OL Reign's veteran players give them a shot at the title. Angel City FC, the hottest team in the league, has momentum on their side, while Gotham FC's fluid attack and strong front line make them a threat.
Christine Sinclair, the forward for the Portland Thorns and Canada women's national team, has announced her retirement from international soccer. Sinclair, who is the all-time leader in goals in international soccer, will continue to play for the Portland Thorns next season. She plans to end her international career with upcoming matches against Brazil in October.
USWNT and Portland Thorns star Sophia Smith suffered a right leg injury during a match against the Washington Spirit, leaving the field on crutches. Smith, who leads the NWSL in goals, is currently being attended to and the extent of her injury is unknown.
The Portland Thorns defeated the North Carolina Courage 2-1 in a resilient performance, despite playing with 10 players for most of the match. Sophia Smith scored the winning goal less than 10 seconds into her substitute appearance. With this victory, the Thorns regained the top position in the NWSL standings. The win was even more impressive as it marked the return of several World Cup participants to the Thorns' lineup.
Sophia Smith's hat trick led the Portland Thorns to a 4-2 victory over the Washington Spirit in their final match before six Thorns players, including Smith, join their national teams for the Women's World Cup. The win puts the Thorns back in first place in the NWSL standings. Smith's aggressive play and NWSL-leading 10th goal of the season secured the victory, despite defensive lapses by the Thorns. The Thorns honored their World Cup participants in a pregame ceremony, including Smith and Crystal Dunn for the US, Christine Sinclair and Adriana Leon for Canada, Rocky Rodríguez for Costa Rica, and Hina Sugita for Japan.
The Portland Thorns defeated the OL Reign 2-0 in a statement victory on Saturday at Lumen Field, returning to the top of the NWSL standings. Sophia Smith scored the first goal in the 17th minute, followed by Christine Sinclair's goal in the 87th minute. The Thorns' defense held strong against the Reign's aggressive high press, and goalkeeper Bella Bixby made a crucial save in stoppage time to secure the clean sheet. This was the Thorns' first-ever victory at Lumen Field and first win on the road at the Reign since 2017.
OL Reign will face Portland Thorns in NWSL play on Saturday night. Both teams are level on points with 16 each and are just one point out of first place. The match will air on CBS Sports Network and will kick off at 5 PM. Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver will be the players to watch for Portland, while the Reign will need to focus on their movement in the attack and set pieces. Join the discussion in the comments and follow @RoValks on Twitter for live updates.