Why Jessie Fleming is the right choice to be opening day captain for the Portland Thorns

After the departure of captain Sam Coffey, there is a huge void for the Portland Thorns. And it's not just on the field – the team needs a new captain.

One of the co-captain vacancies will be filled by 2025 co-captain Mackenzie "Macca" Arnold, but she'll be starting for the Matildas at the AFC Women's Asian Cup for the first few weeks of the NWSL regular season. Arnold also wore the armband in the preseason opener.

But, who will lead the club on opening day on the road and at home?

With so many new faces, players working their way back, and uncertainty, it'll take someone who has been through it all to lead. And that person is Jessie Fleming.

Being named captain is nothing new for Fleming, as she was named that honor with the Canada Women's National Team in February of 2024 – succeeding Portland Thorns and CANWNT legend Christine Sinclair.

The CANWNT captain has led her country through some of the toughest times that no team should ever have to face. She has taken all of it on and continued to be the leader they have needed each step of the way.

In the finale of the Portland Thorns' finale at the Coachella Valley Invitational, it was Jessie Fleming who wore the captain's armband and led the club against Houston Dash.

Fleming has played the bulk of minutes in the two preseason matches with not just the starters, but the new and young players as well.

At the start of halftime, it was the captain initiating the conversation with interim head coach Sarah Lowdon.

Her respect in the locker room and influence with the young players has been everything you'd expect and more.

How much of an impact are we talking about?

“I’m not really a big ‘rah-rah’ person,” Fleming says. “I’m not going to talk in front of the group, but if the younger players are interested to learn, I’m happy to help.”

That is the exact type of leadership that has been resonating with the young Portland Thorns roster.

Lowdon in particular, has seen it from the start.

"Someone that really inspires me is Jessie Fleming," second-year forward Pietra Tordin said. "You will not seeing her jogging on the field, she is sprinting everywhere. Before I step on, I want to play like Jessie. If I'm out there sprinting like her, I'll do great. I use that when I come off the field as well."

For the Portland Thorns players, coaches, and staff this is not a surprise one bit. She is viewed in the highest regard because her work ethic is simply unmatched - no one puts in the extra work like the midfielder on and off the pitch. However, she also sees the most important aspect of the sport.

“The human side is important,” Fleming said. “Making sure that we’re checking in on each other as players is a massive piece of it.”

Fleming has been very honest about her time in the Rose City, mentioned on several occasions that it has taken her time to adjust to the NWSL. Through it all, she has also found the bright spot in the team and the culture.

"We have such a wonderful group of people and we honestly just have a lot of fun together" said Fleming.

For 2026 to be a success, it'll come down to leaders like Fleming and Arnold, to not only continue the culture built in 2025, but grow it even more. Fleming has seen close friends and teammates move on from the club in Sam Coffey and Hina Sugita. On the pitch, the team has gotten even younger too.

The Portland Thorns need her leadership and locker room presence more than ever and it couldn't be a more perfect fit heading into the opener – Jessie Fleming as opening day captain.

Without a doubt, she is more than qualified and has earned the honor.