Match Recap: Portland Thorns at San Diego Wave

Redemption was sweet for the Wave tonight in San Diego, as they defeated the Portland Thorns 3-1 in a rematch of last year's NWSL quarterfinals. Three separate goal contributions would be the difference in tonight's final score – with goals from San Diego's Dudhina, Lia Godfrey, and Melanie Barcenas.

After an early goal from the Wave and the equalizer from Pietra Tordin, San Diego would manage to outlast the Thorns in the second half, handing Portland their first loss of the season.

Lineups & Prematch

Tonight the Thorns rolled out a nearly identical starting 11 to what we saw in last week's Cascadia Rivalry victory. However, with two players serving their red card suspensions, there were some adjustments to be made. Replacing Reyna Reyes on the back line was Marie Müller, who got her first start tonight since returning from last season's ACL injury. And for Cassandra Bogere in the midfield was rookie Shae Harvey.

Highlights

2' am I the problem?

Dudhina scores on Marie Müller in the 2nd minute, and having not covered the first two games of the season for the Thorns when Messner has produced back-to-back clean sheets, I can't help but think that maybe I'm the problem?

Help – does the first 5 minute monster follow me wherever I go?!?!

9' PIETRA TORDIN strikes back

Pietra Tordin wastes no time finding the equalizer for the Thorns, turning defense into offense.

Putting her ball handling skills on display, a dynamic move in the box allows Tordin to create just enough space so that when her first shot ricochets off the goal post, she is right there to tap it back in and level the score at 1-1.

Pietra Tordin has been involved in all 4 of Portland's goals this season – now with 2 goals and 2 assists.

27' Wave strike again

Third time's the charm. A block from Morgan Messner, a deflection on the goal line by Müller, and rookie Lia Godfrey is able to find goal putting the Wave ahead again, 2-1.

This would be the rookie's 2nd goal in two games for the Wave, and already the second time tonight we've seen the defense falter for the Thorns.

38' Morgan Messner ladies & gentlemen

A brilliant save by Messner in goal halts San Diego's opportunity to create separation prior to the half. A major confidence boost I'm sure, for what had been a shaky first half for the Thorns defense.

42' M.A. Vignola turns an ankle...

M.A. Vignola goes down grimacing after turning her ankle on a contact play with a San Diego player.

The athletic training staff would come out and work on her right ankle, before Vignola finished the first half on the pitch with what appeared to be some discomfort. A worrisome sight for a player who battled a severe ankle sprain to close out the 2025 season.

+3 minutes of stoppage time added

Halftime: Thorns 1, Wave 2

46' subs for Portland

Sophia Wilson comes onto the pitch for the Thorns at the half replacing Mimi Alidou – this would be the earliest we have seen Soph in a game this year.

Another substitution, Deyna Castellanos for Shae Harvey in the midfield. This would be Castellanos first appearance for the Thorns in the 2026. A display of the depth Portland has at their disposal this year, with the opportunity to bring two world class threats off the bench to start the second half.

57' more subs for Portland

A defensive switch this time, as Mallie McKenzie comes onto the pitch replacing Marie Müller.

69' another sub for Portland

The Thorns opt to bring Maddie Padelski onto the pitch for Reilyn Turner – another offensive threat off the bench as Portland seeks the chance to level this one out late.

70' Messner leaving it all on the pitch

A second half display of grit from keeper Morgan Messner, in a series of all out stops from the keeper.

78' sub Portland

Jayden (JP) Perry replaces M.A. Vignola, who was able to put together a near entire game after tweaking that ankle in the first half.

And a homecoming for JP who grew up near San Diego, and always speaks so highly of having the opportunities to play so close to home in front of friends and family.

82' Goal SD

A Portland defense that continued to battle in the second half is bested by the San Diego offense (and a little bit of luck) in the 82nd minute. Melanie Barcenas finally finds net for San Diego, after a near nutmeg save from Messner, and creates the separation the Wave needed to finish this one out.

+2 minutes of stoppage time added

Final: Portland 1, San Diego 3

Final Thoughts

I choose not to read too far into tonight's result in San Diego. Because after an impressive 2-game stretch to open the season, I think this game demonstrated the growing pains we will see from the Portland Thorns this season.

What I will judge, however, is how this team chooses to bounce back this upcoming weekend at Providence Park, with a sparkling opportunity to take on a struggling Kansas City team at home.

No one was looking for a perfect season from the Thorns, and we all knew that eventually the other shoe would fall. My biggest concern, however, is how soon Portland can find themselves back in the W column – and can they continue to find themselves there throughout the ups and downs of the season.

Consistency will also be what I look for most in Tordin's sophomore campaign – a proven scorer yes, but this year, can she do it over time? A player who I believe has the potential to emerge at the forefront of the Thorns success this season, is also someone I will be watching in this upcoming stretch of games to see how she continues to manage everyone's expectations (especially her own).