Portland’s first win of 2025 is the 1,000th regular season win in NWSL history and Bella Bixby makes her return to action with a clean sheet.
SALT LAKE CITY (Friday, April 11, 2025) – Portland Thorns FC secured its first win of 2025 with a 1-0 road result against the Utah Royals on Friday evening.
With the win, the Thorns have once again etched their names into NWSL history books by recording the leagues 1,000th regular season win. The contest also saw the long-awaited return of goalkeeper Bella Bixby who – after missing 2024 on maternity leave – capped off tonight’s performance with a clean sheet, Portland’s second in as many matches.
Thorns forward Reilyn Turner would open the scoring in the 14’, tapping the ball into an open net after a great run from midfielder Hina Sugita to draw out the opposition and set up the assist.
From there, the Thorns would go on to dominate the field of play in the first half, registering 3 big chances from 8 shots (7 in the opponent box) while shutting Utah out from getting any shots.
After the break, the Royals would make several changes in its effort to find the equalizer, but the Portland defense stood strong to keep the opponents at bay.
With the first win of the season in the bag and a second consecutive clean sheet, the Thorns will celebrate tonight then quickly shift its focus to next week’s Cascadia Rivalry match vs Seattle Reign FC.
TEAM NOTES
· With Portland’s first win of the season, the Thorns also registered the 1,000th regular season win in NWSL history.
· Goalkeeper Bella Bixby recorded her first NWSL appearance since the 2023 regular season finale, capping the performance with a clean sheet and her first clean sheet since a 2-1 win over Gotham FC on Oct. 7, 2023.
· The Thorns have now recorded two consecutive clean sheets.
· The Thorns are now undefeated in its last three matches (1W, 2D).
· Forward Reilyn Turner scored her second regular season goal for the Thorns.
· Midfielder Hina Sugita recorded her 13th regular season assist, tied for 5th-all time in Portland history alongside Sam Coffey and Allie Long.
· New signing and Canadian Women’s National Team forward Mimi Alidou made her Thorns and NWSL debut tonight as a second half substitute.
· Since he’s taken over, Head Coach Rob Gale is now 8W-1L-1T in matches where the Thorns scored first in the first half.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns return to action on Friday, April 18 as they travel to take on bitter rival Seattle Reign FC. Kickoff from Lumen Field is scheduled for 7 pm PT on Prime Video.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN
FIRST HALF
POR – Reilyn Turner (Hina Sugita) 14’: Sugita’s run towards the corner of the keeper box saw her draw in the keeper and defenders, opening space for a through ball across to Turner who would tap the ball into an open net.
SECOND HALF
N/A
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns FC (4-3-3) Bella Bixby, Reyna Reyes, Jayden Perry, Sam Hiatt, Kaitlyn Torpey (Mallie McKenzie 69’), Sam Coffey–C, Hina Sugita (Jessie Fleming 69’), Olivia Moultrie, Reilyn Turner (Alexa Spaanstra 83’), Caiya Hanks (Mimi Alidou 58’), Deyna Castellanos (Pietra Tordin 83’)
Subs not used: Morgan Messner, Daiane, Sophie Hirst, Payton Linnehan
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Mandy McGlynn, Madison Pogarch, Ana Tejada, Kate Del Fava, Janni Thomsen (Macey Fraser 78’), Claudia Zornoza, Mikayla Cluff (Dana Foederer 45’), Ally Sentnor, Bianca St-Georges (Ana Maria Guzman 70’), Brecken Mozingo (Imani Dorsey 66’), Aisha Solorzano (KK Ream 45’)
Subs not used: Mia Justus, Lauren Flynn, Nuria Rabano, Aria Nagai
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: Caiya Hanks (Yellow) 10’
UTA: Dana Foederer (Yellow) 61’, Kate Del Fava (Yellow) 62’
MATCH STATS
POR | UTA
Goals: 1|0
Assists: 1|0
Possession 48|52
Shots: 11|9
Shots on Target: 3|1
Saves: 1|2
Tackles: 16|16
Tackles Won: 11|9
Interceptions: 13|7
Fouls: 10|18
Offsides: 2|3
Corner Kicks: 3|2
Portland’s first win of 2025 is the 1,000th regular season win in NWSL history and Bella Bixby makes her return to action with a clean sheet.
SALT LAKE CITY (Friday, April 11, 2025) – Portland Thorns FC secured its first win of 2025 with a 1-0 road result against the Utah Royals on Friday evening.
With the win, the Thorns have once again etched their names into NWSL history books by recording the leagues 1,000th regular season win. The contest also saw the long-awaited return of goalkeeper Bella Bixby who – after missing 2024 on maternity leave – capped off tonight’s performance with a clean sheet, Portland’s second in as many matches.
Thorns forward Reilyn Turner would open the scoring in the 14’, tapping the ball into an open net after a great run from midfielder Hina Sugita to draw out the opposition and set up the assist.
From there, the Thorns would go on to dominate the field of play in the first half, registering 3 big chances from 8 shots (7 in the opponent box) while shutting Utah out from getting any shots.
After the break, the Royals would make several changes in its effort to find the equalizer, but the Portland defense stood strong to keep the opponents at bay.
With the first win of the season in the bag and a second consecutive clean sheet, the Thorns will celebrate tonight then quickly shift its focus to next week’s Cascadia Rivalry match vs Seattle Reign FC.
TEAM NOTES
· With Portland’s first win of the season, the Thorns also registered the 1,000th regular season win in NWSL history.
· Goalkeeper Bella Bixby recorded her first NWSL appearance since the 2023 regular season finale, capping the performance with a clean sheet and her first clean sheet since a 2-1 win over Gotham FC on Oct. 7, 2023.
· The Thorns have now recorded two consecutive clean sheets.
· The Thorns are now undefeated in its last three matches (1W, 2D).
· Forward Reilyn Turner scored her second regular season goal for the Thorns.
· Midfielder Hina Sugita recorded her 13th regular season assist, tied for 5th-all time in Portland history alongside Sam Coffey and Allie Long.
· New signing and Canadian Women’s National Team forward Mimi Alidou made her Thorns and NWSL debut tonight as a second half substitute.
· Since he’s taken over, Head Coach Rob Gale is now 8W-1L-1T in matches where the Thorns scored first in the first half.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns return to action on Friday, April 18 as they travel to take on bitter rival Seattle Reign FC. Kickoff from Lumen Field is scheduled for 7 pm PT on Prime Video.
GOAL-SCORING BREAKDOWN
FIRST HALF
POR – Reilyn Turner (Hina Sugita) 14’: Sugita’s run towards the corner of the keeper box saw her draw in the keeper and defenders, opening space for a through ball across to Turner who would tap the ball into an open net.
SECOND HALF
N/A
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns FC (4-3-3) Bella Bixby, Reyna Reyes, Jayden Perry, Sam Hiatt, Kaitlyn Torpey (Mallie McKenzie 69’), Sam Coffey–C, Hina Sugita (Jessie Fleming 69’), Olivia Moultrie, Reilyn Turner (Alexa Spaanstra 83’), Caiya Hanks (Mimi Alidou 58’), Deyna Castellanos (Pietra Tordin 83’)
Subs not used: Morgan Messner, Daiane, Sophie Hirst, Payton Linnehan
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Mandy McGlynn, Madison Pogarch, Ana Tejada, Kate Del Fava, Janni Thomsen (Macey Fraser 78’), Claudia Zornoza, Mikayla Cluff (Dana Foederer 45’), Ally Sentnor, Bianca St-Georges (Ana Maria Guzman 70’), Brecken Mozingo (Imani Dorsey 66’), Aisha Solorzano (KK Ream 45’)
Subs not used: Mia Justus, Lauren Flynn, Nuria Rabano, Aria Nagai
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: Caiya Hanks (Yellow) 10’
UTA: Dana Foederer (Yellow) 61’, Kate Del Fava (Yellow) 62’
MATCH STATS
POR | UTA
Goals: 1|0
Assists: 1|0
Possession 48|52
Shots: 11|9
Shots on Target: 3|1
Saves: 1|2
Tackles: 16|16
Tackles Won: 11|9
Interceptions: 13|7
Fouls: 10|18
Offsides: 2|3
Corner Kicks: 3|2
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