Match Recap & Highlights: Portland Thorns vs Gotham FC

Four goals, a red card, and the return of Morgan Weaver: this matchup between two of the league's best exceeded all expectations.

Despite Gotham FC opening the scoring in the first two minutes of tonight's match, it would be rookie Renee Lyles with her first career NWSL goal,who would deliver the equalizer for the Portland Thorns in the first half.

It was an equally interesting second half with goal contributions from Jessie Fleming and Gotham's Sam Kerr, alongside a red card ejection of Jayden Perry.

This score would hold, and in a 2-2 draw both teams walked away from Providence Park with an NWSL point, and the Thorns extend their unbeaten streak at home in the 2026 season.

Below you can find even more highlights from what was an action packed Friday night.

Lineups & Prematch

There was some rearranging done to tonight's starting XI for the Portland Thorns, movement done to make way for the highly anticipated return of Morgan Weaver.

With Weaver active for selection tonight for the first time since the 2024 season, Marie Müller returned to the back line and Renee Lyles was inserted into the starting lineup for her first career NWSL start.

Another player available for selection tonight was the newly acquired Nina Nijstad.

Highlights

2' 1-0 Gotham

It's the 2nd minute, it's 1-0 Gotham, and I'm speechless.

The Thorns pressed pause but Gotham kept going, resulting in an early deficit for the home team. All I have to say is having struggled to find goals as of late, the Thorns better have an answer to this one.

11' Sonnett injured

After a long delay with medical staff on the pitch, USWNT member and former Thorn, Gotham's Emily Sonnett is taken off the field by stretcher with what appears to be a lower leg injury.

Sonnett would be replaced by Mandy Freeman.

21' RENEE LYLES! MY GOODNESS!

Her first career NWSL start is capitalized by her first professional goal, and boy was it memorable. Lyles defies the laws of gravity in delivering the equalizer for the Thorns in the 21st minute.

30' momentum Portland

A rare miss from Sophia Wilson marks what appears to be a turning of the tide for the Thorns in terms of momentum – which would become increasingly apparent in the moments to come as we approach halftime.

40' yellow card Carter

Opponents have found that the only way to stop Sophia Wilson in space is to deliver the intentional foul, which is exactly what Jess Carter does. This feels especially critical here as Wilson continues to knock on the door, but is still scoreless late in the second half.

+4 minutes of stoppage time added

45+4' BIG SAVE MACCA

Gotham's huge opportunity to regain the lead in first half stoppage time is denied by Mackenzie Arnold, one of the few times she's been challenged aside from Gotham's early goal.

Halftime: Thorns 1, Gotham 1

53' JESSIE FLEMING GET YOURS

There's been plenty of opportunities from the Portland offense, but it's a deflected shot from Jessie Fleming that gives the Thorns to their first lead of the match.

57' Jordynn Dudley that was dirty

Gotham's Jordynn Dudley is seen throwing Jayden Perry (JP) to the pitch, in what results to be just a yellow card for the rookie. Without the intervention of VAR, and with quite a bit of head and neck contact to Perry, the repercussions of this no call will have implications throughout the remainder of this match.

63' Sam Kerr equalizer

It was Sam Kerr's first time starting an NWSL game since 2019, and she couldn't walk away without a goal. Kerr delivers the equalizer, knotting it up at 2 a piece.

69' Nina Nijstad debut

Nina Nijstad makes her long awaited Portland Thorns and NWSL debut. The 23-year-old Dutch phenom replaces Bogere in the 69th minute.

73' Jayden Perry DOGSO red card

Sam Kerr has a breakaway opportunity in the midfield and Jayden Perry grabs a handful of jersey, which turns out to be too much jersey. In a clear denial of a goal scoring opportunity, Perry is given a red card and ejected from the match, leaving Portland with just 10 players for the remainder of the game.

In the aftermath of JP's card, Mackenzie Arnold is also booked for a yellow card.

76' welcome back Morgan Weaver ❤️

It's the moment Portland has been waiting for, for the first time in 621 days Morgan Weaver makes her return to the pitch. Weaver replaces Pietra Tordin, and takes the field for a once in a lifetime moment with the Providence Park faithful at her back.

Also taking the pitch, Carolyn Calzada replaces Renee Lyles and assumes the center back position in place of Perry.

82' sub Portland

Another change to the back line, Reyna Reyes is replaced by MA Vignola to finish out the match.

+5 minutes of stoppage time added

Final: Portland 2, Gotham 2

Final Thoughts

It is no secret that the Portland Thorns were sloppy with the ball to start the game, and a step behind Gotham defensively. However, once Portland was able to match Gotham's pace I thought this matchup lived up to the hype. It was one of the best defenses in the league (Gotham) against one of the most explosive offensives in the NWSL (Portland), and it quickly became a game of speed, pace and grit.

The moments we saw Portland falter were the ones Gotham was able to capitalize on, and had the Thorns been a little tighter altogether tonight we easily could have seen a very different result.

Defensively there have been gaps for the Thorns as of late, with the results from their last three games reflecting as much – having allowed six goals in three games.

Offensively one could say the same. While the Thorns put up two goals tonight, I felt they had the opportunity to tack on a handful or two more, but those remained mere opportunities. Similarly looking at their offensive stats, the Thorns have put up three goals in three matches – just half of what has been scored against them.

Nevertheless, it was a gritty performance that was put on by the Thorns on what was an emotion-packed night. One point is better than none, but I don't think I am the only one who will be awaiting the rematch between these two teams in just a month's time.

But first Portland will hit the road for Utah, where they look to finally make their return to the win column.