Thorns Earn 2–1 Win Over Angel City FC in a Wild Finish

Forward Sophia Wilson gets back on the scoresheet for the first time since 2024 while forward Pietra Tordin continues her hot start to the 2026 campaign.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Sunday, April 26, 2026) – The Portland Thorns returned from the international break on Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 road win against Angel City FC on Sunday night, with goals from forwards Pietra Tordin and Sophia Wilson securing victory for the Thorns.

Both sides battled back and forth in the first half as they pushed for a breakthrough. Notably for the Thorns, they had the opportunity to go up in the 29^th minute but the effort made by midfielder Olivia Moultrie was ruled offside. Two more efforts followed shortly after – one off Moultrie from outside the box and the other from forward Sophia Wilson who ran in to tap in a loose ball – but Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson was able to make the saves.

Prior to Portland’s efforts, goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold had made a pair of saves from close range to keep the Thorns level as they regained the momentum.

Portland had another opportunity to take the lead minutes after the start of the second half when forward Pietra Tordin managed to tap in Wilson’s saved shot, but the Thorns were once again denied by the offside flag.

Finally in the 76’, defender Carolyn Calzada would head a ball into the box to find Tordin who also connected a header over Anderson’s hands to break the deadlock. The Thorns would then double their lead in second half stoppage time when forward Mimi Alidou sent a long pass to Wilson, who dribbled the ball into the box and shot the ball past the keeper’s hands to log her first goal of the campaign.

The hosts would manage to get one on the board shortly after Portland scored when defender Emily Sams sent a cross in the Portland box to find forward Prisca Chilufya, but it was too late for the Angel City to rally back and the Thorns ran away with all three points.

UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns will host San Diego Wave FC at Providence Park on Wednesday, April 19. Kickoff on CBS Sports Network, KPTV FOX12+ and KNKR-2 is scheduled for 7 pm PT.

TEAM NOTES

• The Thorns have now improved to a 4W-1L-1D start to the 2026 season and recorded their first road win since the season opener at Washington Spirit (1-0) back on March 13.
• In league play, the Thorns are now 2W-1L-2D when playing Angel City on the road and 4W-1L-4D overall. Across all NWSL competitions against Angel City, Portland are 5W-3L-4D overall and 2W-2L-2D in away matches.
• The Thorns are now the first team in NWSL history to record 50 regular season road wins.
• Sophia Wilson (F) opened her 2026 scoring account, her first league goal since November 2024 when she scored in 3-0 home win vs Angel City.
• Pietra Tordin (F) scored her third goal of the season. She is now Portland’s leading goal contributor (3 goals, 2 assists) and is tied alongside Olivia Moultrie (M) and Reilyn Turner (F) as the top scorer.
• Carolyn Calzada (D) started and registered her first career assist in her professional debut today, contesting the full 90 minutes.
• Mimi Alidou (M) registered her first assist of the season.
• Renee Lyles (M) subbed on in the 79^th minute to make her NWSL debut.
• Mackenzie Arnold (G) tied her single-game career high of seven saves.

GOAL BREAKDOWN

First Half

N/A

Second Half

POR – Pietra Tordin (Carolyn Calzada) 76’

POR – Sophia Wilson (Mimi Alidou) 90+5’
LA – Prisca Chilufya (Emily Sams) 90+8’

LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-2-3-1): Mackenzie Arnold, M.A. Vignola, Carolyn Calzada, Sam Hiatt-C, Reyna Reyes, Cassandra Bogere (Jayden Perry 90+3’), Jessie Fleming, Olivia Moultrie, Pietra Tordin (Renee Lyles 79’), Reilyn Turner (Mimi Alidou 60’), Sophia Wilson
Subs not used: Morgan Messner (GK), Isabella Obaze, Marie Müller, Jenni Immethun, Shae Harvey, Maddie Padelski

Angel City FC (4-3-3): Angelina Anderson (GK), Evelyn Shores, Sarah Gorden-C, Emily Sams, Gisele Thompson, Maiara Niehues, Nealy Martin (Prisca Chilufya 84’), Riley Tiernan (Casey Phair 90+7’), Taylor Suarez (Jun Endo 63’), Kennedy Fuller (Ary Borges 63’), Sveindis Jonsdottir
Subs not used: Hannah Seabert (GK), Faith Nguyen (GK), Sophia Mattice, Carina Lageyre

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

POR: Pietra Tordin 39’, Carolyn Calzada 65’
LA: N/A
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MATCH STATS

POR | LA

Goals: 2|1

Assists: 2|1

Possession: 45|55

Shots: 10|19

Shots on Target: 7|8

Saves: 7|5

Tackles: 24|26

Tackles Won: 11|18

Interceptions: 13|11

Fouls: 12|7

Offsides: 2|0

Corner Kicks: 1|3

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ATTENDANCE: 16,636

Referee: Katja Koroleva

Assistant Referee 1: Jennifer Garner

Assistant Referee 2: Aleh Maslianka

4th Official: Jose Landa

VAR: Laura Rodriguez

Assistant VAR: Tom Felice

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