Portland Thorns Earn 2–0 Shutout Win Over Kansas City

Olivia Moultrie becomes the youngest player in league history to score 20 league goals.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Saturday, March 28, 2026) – The Portland Thorns recorded a 2-0 victory against the Kansas City Current on Saturday afternoon, shutting out last season’s NWSL Shield Winners to get back in the win column and record their first against the Current since 2023.

The Thorns started off the match dictating the pace of the match, keeping the Current defense on their toes as Portland threatened to create chances. In the 10^th minute, midfielder Olivia Moultrie had an opportunity to open the match up, but her shot was denied by the post and the same would happen again in the 13^th minute, this time denying forward Sophia Wilson who was making her first start of the 2026 season.

After the halftime break, the Thorns would get their opportunity to open the scoring after Wilson drew a penalty in favor in the 51^st minute. Moultrie would step up to the spot to take the shot, placing the ball in the bottom right corner to become the NWSL’s youngest player to score 20 regular season goals, breaking the record previously held by Sam Kerr that was set in 2016.

The Thorns would double their lead in the 63^rd after defender Jayden Perry sent a long ball from the defensive half into the Kansas City box, where forward Reilyn Turner beat the keeper in the air with her back towards goal and headed the ball into the net.

From there, the Thorns kept Kansas City at bay and saw out the match to record its third win and clean sheet in four matches.

UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns hit the road to face the North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, April 4 with kickoff on ION scheduled for 3:30 pm PT/6:30 pm ET.

TEAM NOTES

• The Thorns recorded their first victory against the Current since 2023 and their first home win since 2022. In doing so, they snap a five-game losing streak and are now 5W-5L-2D in the regular season against Kansas City.
• The Thorns have won their first two home matches of the year and have not lost a home match across all NWSL competitions (5W, 1D) since September 2025.
• Olivia Moultrie (M) is now the league’s youngest player (20) to score 20 regular season goals. Sam Kerr previously held the record in 2016 at 22, and Moultrie joins Kerr, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson as the only players who have achieved the feat before the age of 24.
• Reilyn Turner (F) has scored once in each of Portland’s opening home matches, and she joins Moultrie and Turner as joint-scoring leaders for the Thorns (2).
• Jayden Perry (D) registered the assist for Turner’s goal. It is her second career assist, and both her assists were for Turner goals.  
• Mackenzie Arnold (G) made her return in goal after competing in the AFC Asian Cup with Australia throughout the month of March. She registered her first clean sheet of the year (Portland’s third) and it is her third straight regular season clean sheet dating back to October 2025.

GOAL BREAKDOWN

First Half

N/A

Second Half

POR – Moultrie (Penalty) 53’
POR – Turner (Perry) 63’

LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-2-3-1): Mackenzie Arnold, M.A. Vignola, Jayden Perry, Sam Hiatt, Marie Müller (Mallie McKenzie 68’), Cassandra Bogere, Jessie Fleming, Mimi Alidou, Olivia Moultrie, Reilyn Turner, Sophia Wilson (Pietra Tordin 68’)
Subs not used:  Isabella Obaze, Deyna Castellanos, Maddie Padelski, Shae Harvey, Morgan Messner, Jennie Immethun, Valerin Loboa

Kansas City Current (4-3-2-1): Lorena, Izzy Rodriguez, Gabrielle Robinson (Amelia White 81’), Elizabeth Ball, Ellie Bravo-Young, Katie Scott, Lo'eau LaBonta (Kayla Sharples 70’), Croix Bethune (Penelope Hocking 70’), Debinha, Michelle Cooper (Haley Hopkins 70’), Ally Sentnor (Kyra Carusa 81’)
Subs not used: Marisa Jordan (GK), Laney Rouse, Kelsey Branson, Kolo Suliafu

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

POR: M.A. Vignola (Yellow) 21’
KC: Ellie Bravo-Young (Yellow) 32’, Croix Bethune (Yellow) 34’, Kayla Sharples (Yellow) 78’

MATCH STATS

POR | KC

Goals: 2|0
Assists: 1|0
Possession: 59|41
Shots: 18|6
Shots on Target: 7|4
Saves: 4|5
Tackles: 17|21
Tackles Won: 12|14
Interceptions: 15|4
Fouls: 10|13
Offsides: 1|0
Corner Kicks: 3|6

ATTENDANCE: 16,734
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REFEREE: Abdou Ndiaye
ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Alicia Messer

ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: Seth Martin

4^TH OFFICIAL: Christopher Calderon
VAR: Danielle Chesky
ASSISTANT VAR: Karsten Gillwald

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