The Portland Thorns are off to a 3-1-1 start in NWSL regular season play, and are second behind just San Diego Wave.
Is their success sustainable, or is this just a blip? Here are a few numbers that suggest either could be possible...
Reilyn Turner's ascension
In 2025, Reilyn Turner, in all competitions, accumulated 9.95 expected goals (xG) according to FotMob, and managed six goals in all competitions.
How about 2026 so far? She has a combined xG of 1.1, but has already scored three goals on the season.
Why is this significant? The only thing holding back the forward last season was the lack of finishing, and she has already improved that immensely. If she continues the goalscoring pace, it'll be a dream scenario for the Portland Thorns.
Olivia Moultrie is a superstar
After her breakout 2025 season, the USWNT midfielder is back at it again.
Olivia Moultrie leads the league in xG at 2.9. Even if you don't include the penalty kicks, she is still in the top five.
What else? She's fourth in chances created (14).
Oh did I forget to mention she's highest rated Portland Thorn (and third in the league overall) according to FotMob?
Pietra Tordin = Machine
Even with limited minutes in 2025 due to nagging injuries, Pietra Tordin showed tons of flashes, evidenced by many of her stats per 90 minutes.
This season she is healthy and it has shown immediately.
Pietra Tordin is in top 10 in the NWSL in goals and assists (two each). With four total goal contributions, she tied for third in the NWSL.
Sam Hiatt & Jayden "JP" Perry
Captain Sam Hiatt is ranked in the top 10 in clearances per 90 (6.0) and blocks per 90 (1.4)
The U23WNT center back Jayden Perry has stepped up in attack and defense for the team as well. She leads the league in clearances per 90 at 7.5 and defenders in assists with two.
If JP's ascension continues, CB continues to be less of a pressing need. Should they still look at adding one? Yes, relying on this group to sustain this type of play is asking a lot...
How about that defense?
Although they are tied for the league lead in clean sheets, there are plenty of alarming statistics that don't bode well for the defense moving forward.
The Portland Thorns have given up the third-most xG at 8.1 and their overall xG difference is -0.6.
Why has it worked so far? The team leads the NWSL in clearances per match at 30.2.
Possession
At 42.2% possession the Rose City are 14th in the NWSL.
With the personnel this team has, it needs to be higher.
If this continues, the defense will continue have to defend in the majority of matches which is practically asking for trouble.
What to expect moving forward
By the fall the frontline will include Soph Wilson, Reilyn Turner, Pietra Tordin, Caiya Hanks, Morgan Weaver, and more.
With Hanks and Weaver expected back in the summer timeframe, the attack will be able to rotate, be fresh, and sustain a consistent level of play the rest of the way. This attack is as good as any club in the NWSL and will keep them in every single match.
Defensively, it's another story. What they're doing likely isn't sustainable as they are being put to the test too often. In two of the five matches thus far, the team has given up 2+ goals.
In defense, the Portland Thorns will likely need to add reinforcements, but also add to their possession numbers to alleviate the pressure on the backline.
In other words, expect many more high-scoring affairs for the Thorns.
