Are you ready for the clash of the NWSL titans?
The No. 2 Portland Thorns (4-1-1) take on No. 1 San Diego Wave (5-1-0) who are on a five-match winning streak.
Match Preview
Abe Zepeda of SanDiego.Futbol joins us to preview the match between the top two teams in NWSL.
He discusses the Wave's first-ever comeback win with a halftime deficit, Kennedy Wesley's ascension, Lia Godrey & Mimi Van Zanten's ROTY caliber starts, another short week match between the two sides, key matchups, and what to expect in this rematch.
She is Back
After scoring her first goal since her return, Soph Wilson spoke to the media prior to top-of-the-table clash.
Head coach Robert Vilahamn also addressed the media.
2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award
In 2025, Sam Hiatt was named the Lauren Holiday Impact Award winner for her incredible work with Candlelighters Oregon.
This year, Bella Bixby has been nominated on the behalf of the Portland Thorns.
"Bixby has chosen to support Friends of Trees, a local community-driven nonprofit focused on expanding and caring for the urban forest across the Pacific Northwest through volunteer-powered tree plantings and stewardship efforts to restore neighborhoods, parks and natural spaces in both urban and underserved communities. Through her volunteer work with Friends of Trees, Bixby has seen the power of community-driven environmental action and its neighborhood-level impact, reinforcing her commitment to healthier communities for her daughter and future generations."
“I am full of gratitude to be nominated for this award,” Bixby said. “So many amazing players before me have demonstrated their dedication to and leadership within their communities. I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to do the same, and I am thrilled to be able to bring attention and awareness to a community driven organization that fosters environmental stewardship, climate action, and restoring natural environments and expanding access to nature in urban spaces.”
Friends of Trees Executive Director Yahsar Vasef: “We’re so grateful to Bella for her support of Friends of Trees, and a big congratulations on this well-deserved nomination. Through volunteering with Friends of Trees, she’s seen firsthand how powerful it is when people come together around the shared goal of planting and caring for trees. That kind of community-driven action helps create healthier, more connected communities, and we’re excited to continue this work alongside the Portland Thorns."
Want to support Bella Bixby and Friends of Trees? Click here.
Learn more about Friends of Trees and their mission at friendsoftrees.org.
