INDIO, Calif. (Sunday, February 15, 2025) – Despite a late goal from trialist midfielder Renee Lyles, the Portland Thorns fell 2-1 to Angel City FC in its opening match at the 2026 Coachella Valley Invitational on Sunday at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
Angel City would get onto the scoresheet early after defender Gisele Thompson’s cross found midfielder Maiara Niehues in the box for a header in the 2nd minute, quickly putting the Thorns in a position to search for an equalizer.
Angel City would continue to push for a second goal, but the Thorns backline held strong to limit those opportunities and shift momentum for Portland to go on the offensive. However, despite settling more into the match as the first half progressed, the Thorns were unable to get a shot past Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson.
Angel City did sneak some opportunities near the end of the first half, but Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold would make two big consecutive saves in the 46th minute to keep the scoreline tight.
After the halftime break, Angel City would double their lead off a corner in the 56th minute after midfielder Kennedy Fuller sent a cross that found Niehues, who slotted the ball into the net to bag a brace.
Both teams would make several changes throughout the second half to give new players and trialists an opportunity to come on and make an impact, with Portland itself looking to fight back into the match.
One of those players for Portland was Lyles, who would receive a pass from forward Valerin Loboa near half field and dribbled all the way into the opponent’s box to get a late one back for Portland in the 89th minute to deny Angel City the clean sheet.
UP NEXT: Portland Thorns will face the Houston Dash on Saturday, February 21 at 10:30 am PT. The match will be available to watch on KPTV Fox 12 Plus and the Thorns YouTube channel.
GOAL BREAKDOWN
First Half
LA – Maira Niehues (Gisele Thompson) 2’
Second Half
LA – Maira Niehues (Kennedy Fuller) 56’
POR – Renee Lyles (Valerin Loboa) 89’
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Mackenzie Arnold (Morgan Messner 46’), Reyna Reyes (M.A. Vignola 78’), Jayden Perry (Isabella Obaze 63’), Sam Hiatt (Carolyn Calzada 63’), Mallie McKenzie (Sydney Cheesman 78’), Jessie Fleming (Jenni Immethun 78’), Mimi Alidou (Maddie Padelski 63’), Olivia Moultrie (Renee Lyles 78’), Reilyn Turner (Farrah Walters 63’), Alexa Spaanstra (Valerin Loboa 63’), Pietra Tordin (Deyna Castellanos 46’)
Subs not used: Mathilde Braithwaite, Hayden Colson
Angel City FC (4-3-3): Angelina Anderson (Hannah Seabert 46’), Evelyn Shores (Jadyn Betchel 76’), Savy King (Sophia Mattice 31’), Sarah Gorden (Jennah Black 64’), Gisele Thompson (Enasia Colon 64’), Ary Borges (Hina Sugita 31’), Nealy Martin (Natalia Bautista 64’), Maiara Niehues (Grace Murray 64’), Riley Tiernan (Diem Sealy 64’), Kennedy Fuller (Casey Phair 76’), Jónsdóttir Sveindis (Prisca Chilufya 46’)
Subs not used: Jun Endo
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: Spaanstra (Yellow) 61’
LA: Hina Sugita (Yellow) 73’
INDIO, Calif. (Sunday, February 15, 2025) – Despite a late goal from trialist midfielder Renee Lyles, the Portland Thorns fell 2-1 to Angel City FC in its opening match at the 2026 Coachella Valley Invitational on Sunday at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
Angel City would get onto the scoresheet early after defender Gisele Thompson’s cross found midfielder Maiara Niehues in the box for a header in the 2nd minute, quickly putting the Thorns in a position to search for an equalizer.
Angel City would continue to push for a second goal, but the Thorns backline held strong to limit those opportunities and shift momentum for Portland to go on the offensive. However, despite settling more into the match as the first half progressed, the Thorns were unable to get a shot past Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson.
Angel City did sneak some opportunities near the end of the first half, but Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold would make two big consecutive saves in the 46th minute to keep the scoreline tight.
After the halftime break, Angel City would double their lead off a corner in the 56th minute after midfielder Kennedy Fuller sent a cross that found Niehues, who slotted the ball into the net to bag a brace.
Both teams would make several changes throughout the second half to give new players and trialists an opportunity to come on and make an impact, with Portland itself looking to fight back into the match.
One of those players for Portland was Lyles, who would receive a pass from forward Valerin Loboa near half field and dribbled all the way into the opponent’s box to get a late one back for Portland in the 89th minute to deny Angel City the clean sheet.
UP NEXT: Portland Thorns will face the Houston Dash on Saturday, February 21 at 10:30 am PT. The match will be available to watch on KPTV Fox 12 Plus and the Thorns YouTube channel.
GOAL BREAKDOWN
First Half
LA – Maira Niehues (Gisele Thompson) 2’
Second Half
LA – Maira Niehues (Kennedy Fuller) 56’
POR – Renee Lyles (Valerin Loboa) 89’
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Mackenzie Arnold (Morgan Messner 46’), Reyna Reyes (M.A. Vignola 78’), Jayden Perry (Isabella Obaze 63’), Sam Hiatt (Carolyn Calzada 63’), Mallie McKenzie (Sydney Cheesman 78’), Jessie Fleming (Jenni Immethun 78’), Mimi Alidou (Maddie Padelski 63’), Olivia Moultrie (Renee Lyles 78’), Reilyn Turner (Farrah Walters 63’), Alexa Spaanstra (Valerin Loboa 63’), Pietra Tordin (Deyna Castellanos 46’)
Subs not used: Mathilde Braithwaite, Hayden Colson
Angel City FC (4-3-3): Angelina Anderson (Hannah Seabert 46’), Evelyn Shores (Jadyn Betchel 76’), Savy King (Sophia Mattice 31’), Sarah Gorden (Jennah Black 64’), Gisele Thompson (Enasia Colon 64’), Ary Borges (Hina Sugita 31’), Nealy Martin (Natalia Bautista 64’), Maiara Niehues (Grace Murray 64’), Riley Tiernan (Diem Sealy 64’), Kennedy Fuller (Casey Phair 76’), Jónsdóttir Sveindis (Prisca Chilufya 46’)
Subs not used: Jun Endo
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: Spaanstra (Yellow) 61’
LA: Hina Sugita (Yellow) 73’
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