With the results from the weekend not going their way in the slightest, the Portland Thorns knew they had to take care of business. If they stood any chance of finishing in the top four of the NWSL table and hosting a first-round playoff match, they'd need to win the remaining two games. Also, to safely clinch a spot in the postseason, they needed three points on the road.
Their first task? Finding a way to beat Angel City FC at BMO Stadium.
With multiple players banged up, notably Pietra Tordin - Rob Gale would opt for Deyna Castellanos. Daiane would return on the bench for Sam Hiatt.
Although ACFC was eliminated from playoff contention before kickoff, they were celebrating the careers of legends: Christen Press and Ali Riley.
One lingering concern was if the defense could hold up for 90+ minutes with their last shutout before the break.
here's how we line up in LA 📺 ESPN
— Portland Thorns FC (@thornsfc.com) 2025-10-19T20:02:25.538Z
It was a tale of two quarters in the first half of this match. The Portland Thorns came out swinging and throwing haymakers. They possessed the ball crisply, suffocated Angel City, and brought waves of attacks to the home team.
In the 23rd minute, Olivia Moultrie created more magic - she blasted a rocket from outside the box to beat Angelina Anderson for the 1-0 lead.
Olivia Moultrie hits a beautiful strike to score her 7th goal of the year for the Thorns!
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-10-19T21:38:27.553Z
After the 30th minute, it was mostly Angel City FC, but the entire backline continued to clear out the mess, time and time again. M.A. Vignola and Reyna Reyes were active in stuffing attacks. Isa Obaze and Sam Hiatt cleared everything in their path. Mackenzie "Macca" Arnold also came up big when called upon.
At the half, many metrics were considerably close including: xG (0.50 to 0.31), possession, shots, and more.
The hosts came out on the front-foot in the second half and could not sustain it.
In the 57th minute, Sara Doorsoun took Reilyn Turner down in the box and center official Jaclyn Metz would call for the PK - VAR would later confirm the call on the field.
Initially it was Jessie Fleming who held the ball, before handing it to Olivia Moultrie. She was calm, cool, and collected and placed it past Anderson for her eighth goal of the season (second brace).
Olivia Moultrie calmly slots home the penalty kick for her 8th goal of 2025!
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-10-19T22:44:00.986Z
With the Portland Thorns now up 2-0 lead, they forced Angel City's attack to find answers against their defense. Arnold, Reyes, Obaze, Hiatt, and Vignola refused to budge at all.
In the second half they allowed an xG of 0.29, for a combined match total of only 0.6.
At one point, there was a back five of Vignola, Hiatt, Daiane, Perry, and Reyes - Kaitlyn Torpey was subbed on in a winger role.
Portland did take their foot off the gas, but they were still in full control until the final whistle.
With the 2-0 win, the Portland Thorns clinched a playoff spot and have an opportunity to host a home first round match - with some help.
For the ninth consecutive season, the club has advanced to postseason play. However, this one feels a bit more special.
Captain Sam Coffey on what clinching the playoffs after all the adversity and changes #BAONPDX "It means everything. Honestly, it makes me emotional just thinking about everything this group has been through together." "I am just so proud..."
— Phuoc Nguyen (Fook Win) ✍️ (@phuocerman.bsky.social) 2025-10-20T01:29:42.825Z
Final Thoughts
First off, the team put on one helluva defensive performance. The clean sheet was exactly what they needed heading into the season finale versus Houston Dash.
Vignola's addition to the backline has been an absolute gamechanger. Her ability to read and stop attacks, track back with ease, and get involved in the attack has been tremendous. This match, she led the team in interceptions, blocks, and was second in defensive actions (Sam Hiatt led all defenders with 23).
Can the Thorns carry the momentum from the shutout into the finale and playoffs?
On the other hand, the forwards continue their goalscoring drought. It's a concern that hasn't gone away one bit and marred by inconsistency all season. One positive from the group is Turner's play - she has found ways to contribute in other facets of the game.
It was a very professional performance from the club. Even so, the attack still leaves a lot to be desired. Without the PK, the xG would have been closer to ACFC.
It may not have been their best match, but it was exactly what they needed it to be.
In the team's past six goals, Moultrie has had played a role in each of them. She has scored four goals in the last three games (two braces). It's clear that she has taken over the scoring load for the Portland Thorns and it could not have come at a better time.
The question that remains... Who else is going to step up alongside her?
Honoring Legends
The occasion was not lost in the shuffle one bit, the BMO Stadium crowd were terrific all match long.
In the 60th minute, Christen Press subbed on to a standing ovation unlike anything you've ever seen.
For the last time at home, Christen Press steps onto the field. 💕
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-10-19T22:35:00.953Z
In the 82nd minute, Ali Riley joined her on the field and heard an ovation just as loud.
👏 Ali 👏 Riley 👏 Angel City's first captain takes the pitch at home for the last time.
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-10-19T22:57:15.170Z
Both are legends of this game, and for everyone to recognize the moment, is so dang special.
Post Match Press Conference
ICYMI
The 2025 Portland Thorns FC Coaching Staff #BAONPDX "I just want everyone to know how much respect I have for them and everybody outside should as well." Class move by Rob Gale to give much-deserved credit to the entire staff.
— Phuoc Nguyen (Fook Win) ✍️ (@phuocerman.bsky.social) 2025-10-20T00:46:55.739Z
HIGHLIGHTS
- 7' Olivia Moultrie rips a shot from outside the box that goes just wide
- 10' M.A. Vignola nearly opens up the scoring with an excellent ball from Jessie Fleming - it is just outside.
- 23' Liv does it again. BANGER FROM OUTSIDE THE BOX!
- 28' Set piece chance leads to Reyna Reyes header across goal to Reilyn Turner - it just sails over the bar.
- 30' Portland continues to have wave after wave of attacks.
- 36' Gisele rips a laser from outside the box and Macca has it covered the whole way. They still need to defend the corner kick.
- 39' M.A. Vignola's last second intervention preserves the lead
- 45' + Shores rockets a shot near post and Arnold reads it all the way.
- 45' + Vignola goes down and plays a pass back to Macca who gets there before Riley Tiernan
- 47' Sam Coffey booked with a yellow card
- 48' Spaanstra's effort on goal is right to Anderson
- 55' Deyna Castellanos' chip nearly doubles the lead, but it's wide.
- 57' Reilyn Turner gets taken down in the box by Sara Doorsoun
- 59' VAR has confirmed
- 60' Jessie Fleming hands the ball off to Liv Moultrie for the pk - she is cool, calm, and collected for her eighth goal of the season.
- 72' Liv draws a yellow card on Niehues with a dangerous challenge there... It's a bit too far from outside the box. Olivia Moultrie delivers it and it's now a corner for Portland Thorns.
- 80' Pietra Tordin on for Deyna Castellanos and Laila Harbert for Alexa Spaanstra
- 88' Daiane and Kaitlyn Torpey on for Isa Obaze and Sam Coffey.
- 90' +3 Jayden "JP" Perry on for Reilyn Turner - Portland Thorns have switched to a five back with Torpey as a winger.
- FT 2-0 Portland Thorns
