Portland Thorns vs Orlando Pride | Recap, Reaction & Highlights

Portland traveled to Florida looking to get some needed points to climb the table and start securing a playoff spot. In Sophia Wilson's 100th game as a professional player, all of them played for the Portland Thorns, the team had a big win.

With M. A. Vignola out due to a minor hip injury picked up in the game against Chicago, and with Sam Hiatt on the bench, Marie Müller and Reyna Reyes started after a while. The midfield remained untouched, while in the forward line, Caiya Hanks started in place of Morgan Weaver.

As was expected, Barbra Banda created all sorts of problems. Jayden Perry was the main defender trying to contain her, and even though she was just back from a yellow card accumulation, she got another yellow trying to defend against the Pride's finisher. Moreover, JP was warned after that, very close to getting a second yellow.

Three goals were scored only in the first half, with Portland tallying one early through Nina Nijstad and, with it, scoring her first goal for the Thorns.

Hanks got the penalty kick that Sophia Wilson turned into the 2-0. However, the double lead didn't last much because Ally Lemos pulled one back two minutes later.

Portland got a scare in the 67th minute when VAR intervened to check for a handball by Reyes, but it was ultimately ruled out.

Nonetheless, besides Banda creating problems for Portland. Jamaican international Solai Washington also had a good game and kept the Thorns' defense on their toes.

But the match was far from over for Portland because Morgan Weaver gave the team some room to breathe after scoring an absolute banger. It was the first for the winger in almost two years since the last time she tallied a goal was Nov. 1, 2024.

The score could've changed once again in the 80th minute when Wilson passed the goalkeeper and had an empty net, but she hit the post. Wilson lost her footing while trying to finish and therefore, when the ball rebounded and fell to her, she handballed it.

The final sub of the afternoon was Renee Lyles. Even though she entered the game in the 72nd minute, she made the most of her minutes and scored with Wilson making the assist.

Highlights

3' Nina Nijstad GOAL! The Dutch tallies her first goal for Portland.

18' PK for the Thorns. Hanks is fouled inside the box, and Sophia makes it 2-0.

45' Caiya Hanks forces Orlando's goalkeeper to make a save with a great shot.

46' Washington forces Macca to make a save.

Half time: Thorns 3-1 Orlando Pride.

51' Sophia Wilson drives the ball forward and shoots but off target.

52' Subs: Morgan Weaver and Mallie McKenzie enter for Reylin Turner and Marie Müller, respectively.

67' VAR checks for handball and, after some long minutes, it is decided that Reyes didn't commit any wrongdoing.

71' Substitution: Casandra Bogere enters for Nina Nijstad.

75' Morgan Weaver GOAL! The forward puts the game 3-1 and writes her name on the scoreboard for the first time since coming back from injury. Her last goal before that dated from November 1, 2024.

77' Renee Lyles is shown a yellow card.

80' Wilson hits the post!

84' Shae Harvey enters for Pietra Tordin.

87' Renee Lyles GOAL! A pass by Wilson leaves her on a 1v1 against the goalkeeper and she doesn't miss.

Final score: Portland Thorns 4-1 Orlando Pride

Final thoughts

Portland could finally show what they are capable of after a three-game winless streak. Moreover, they showed they can perform well on the road.

Although the Pride had their moments of dominance, Portland tilted the field to their side with well-used subs and a great performance by Wilson.

The striker not only scored but by converting her 11th PK, she broke the legend Christine Sinclair's record. Also, she converted her 5th PK of the season, in a single season, which is a record for the club. Added to that, she passed Sinclair and Sam Coffey for 3rd in assists for the club (18th).

Despite the very positive result, it was weird not to see Pietra Tordin balling as usual. It was also good to see that, despite the roster rotation, the team could win by multiple goals.