Thorn Town
@thorn-town.bsky.social
A blog about the Portland Thorns
thorntown.substack.com
thorntown.substack.com
Reposted by Thorn Town
I've seen this asked a lot so to be explicit: Sophia Wilson's 2026 player option and the proposed High Impact Player rule are totally unrelated. Wilson's option was defined in her contract signed in 2024. HIP is not yet a ratified rule (and the NWSLPA's opposition casts doubt over that happening).
December 19, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I've seen this asked a lot so to be explicit: Sophia Wilson's 2026 player option and the proposed High Impact Player rule are totally unrelated. Wilson's option was defined in her contract signed in 2024. HIP is not yet a ratified rule (and the NWSLPA's opposition casts doubt over that happening).
Today on Thorn Town! No coal for Portland this year -- Sophia Wilson is a Thorn for 2026:
thorntown.substack.com/p/sophia-stays
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/sophia-stays
#BAONPDX
Sophia Stays
Sophia Wilson picks up her 2026 player option to stay with the Thorns for one more year
thorntown.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Today on Thorn Town! No coal for Portland this year -- Sophia Wilson is a Thorn for 2026:
thorntown.substack.com/p/sophia-stays
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/sophia-stays
#BAONPDX
Reposted by Thorn Town
Same City. Same Crest. New Chapter.🌹
We’ve announced today that forward Sophia Wilson has exercised her 2026 player option and will represent Portland next season.
More here: www.thorns.com/news/portlan...
We’ve announced today that forward Sophia Wilson has exercised her 2026 player option and will represent Portland next season.
More here: www.thorns.com/news/portlan...
December 17, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Same City. Same Crest. New Chapter.🌹
We’ve announced today that forward Sophia Wilson has exercised her 2026 player option and will represent Portland next season.
More here: www.thorns.com/news/portlan...
We’ve announced today that forward Sophia Wilson has exercised her 2026 player option and will represent Portland next season.
More here: www.thorns.com/news/portlan...
Kind of a bizarre moment -- six hours after this story gets published, and none of the traditional NWSL reporters have said anything. Not sure what to think!
December 17, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Kind of a bizarre moment -- six hours after this story gets published, and none of the traditional NWSL reporters have said anything. Not sure what to think!
Dedicated to the tease
December 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Dedicated to the tease
Reposted by Thorn Town
Unrelated but ironic to current NWSL events: San Diego Wave's 7v7 World Sevens team is one of four remaining in the hunt today for a $2M prize for the winner of the three-day tournament.
#NWSL's team salary cap for the whole 2025 season was $3.5M.
#NWSL's team salary cap for the whole 2025 season was $3.5M.
December 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Unrelated but ironic to current NWSL events: San Diego Wave's 7v7 World Sevens team is one of four remaining in the hunt today for a $2M prize for the winner of the three-day tournament.
#NWSL's team salary cap for the whole 2025 season was $3.5M.
#NWSL's team salary cap for the whole 2025 season was $3.5M.
Uhhh HOW MUCH money?? The NWSL salary cap for a whole 22-26 player team was $3.3m this year. Were players competitive about getting into this?
The second edition of World Sevens Football starts today, shortly, from Fort Lauderdale and on TNT. It's a 7-v-7 women's tournament with a $5M prize pool ($2M to the winners). Kansas City and San Diego from #NWSL are in it. This is an all Americas edition after all Europe the first time.
December 6, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Uhhh HOW MUCH money?? The NWSL salary cap for a whole 22-26 player team was $3.3m this year. Were players competitive about getting into this?
Reposted by Thorn Town
Once A Thorn, Always A Thorn 🌹
Thank you, Torpey, Nicole, Olivia, and Naomi, for your impact on the field and in the community.
Wishing you all the best in your next chapters! ❤️
Thank you, Torpey, Nicole, Olivia, and Naomi, for your impact on the field and in the community.
Wishing you all the best in your next chapters! ❤️
December 2, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Once A Thorn, Always A Thorn 🌹
Thank you, Torpey, Nicole, Olivia, and Naomi, for your impact on the field and in the community.
Wishing you all the best in your next chapters! ❤️
Thank you, Torpey, Nicole, Olivia, and Naomi, for your impact on the field and in the community.
Wishing you all the best in your next chapters! ❤️
Today on Thorn Town! Saying farewell to the 2025 season with a climb from the bottom to the top of the league's power rankings:
thorntown.substack.com/p/thats-a-wr...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/thats-a-wr...
#BAONPDX
That's a Wrap: 14-to-1 At the End of the Year
At the end of the NWSL season, it's report card time for all 14 teams
thorntown.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Today on Thorn Town! Saying farewell to the 2025 season with a climb from the bottom to the top of the league's power rankings:
thorntown.substack.com/p/thats-a-wr...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/thats-a-wr...
#BAONPDX
Today on Thorn Town! Despite finishing third place in the league, the team fires coach Rob Gale last night. It might be a shocking sentence from the outside -- but, those who follow the team closely probably feel less surprised:
thorntown.substack.com/p/blowin-in-...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/blowin-in-...
#BAONPDX
Blowin' in the Wind
On Tuesday night, the Thorns announced they fired coach Rob Gale
thorntown.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Today on Thorn Town! Despite finishing third place in the league, the team fires coach Rob Gale last night. It might be a shocking sentence from the outside -- but, those who follow the team closely probably feel less surprised:
thorntown.substack.com/p/blowin-in-...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/blowin-in-...
#BAONPDX
Reposted by Thorn Town
Portland Thorns today announced that the club and Head Coach Rob Gale have agreed to part ways. Assistant Coach Sarah Lowdon will serve as interim head coach.
Also departing the club is First Assistant Coach Adam Day.
A comprehensive search for the next permanent head coach will begin immediately.
Also departing the club is First Assistant Coach Adam Day.
A comprehensive search for the next permanent head coach will begin immediately.
November 26, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Portland Thorns today announced that the club and Head Coach Rob Gale have agreed to part ways. Assistant Coach Sarah Lowdon will serve as interim head coach.
Also departing the club is First Assistant Coach Adam Day.
A comprehensive search for the next permanent head coach will begin immediately.
Also departing the club is First Assistant Coach Adam Day.
A comprehensive search for the next permanent head coach will begin immediately.
Today on Thorn Town! Portland's way-above-expectations 2025 season ends with a thud, as the Spirit show they are clearly in a different tier
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/grass-ceil...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/grass-ceil...
Grass Ceiling
The difference between a playoff hopeful and a championship contender is clear as the Spirit dismantle the Thorns, 2-0
thorntown.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Today on Thorn Town! Portland's way-above-expectations 2025 season ends with a thud, as the Spirit show they are clearly in a different tier
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/grass-ceil...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/grass-ceil...
Today on Thorn Town! It's a preview of this weekend's semifinal game against the Washington Spirit. While the Spirit's incredible roster construction could win them the game -- it is the Thorns who are currently on a better run of play
thorntown.substack.com/p/im-just-a-...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/im-just-a-...
#BAONPDX
I'm Just a Ball, Sittin' 'Round on Capitol Hill
Thorns-Spirit feels like another very difficult game to predict -- in part because it's hard to sort through all the injuries
thorntown.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Today on Thorn Town! It's a preview of this weekend's semifinal game against the Washington Spirit. While the Spirit's incredible roster construction could win them the game -- it is the Thorns who are currently on a better run of play
thorntown.substack.com/p/im-just-a-...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/im-just-a-...
#BAONPDX
Today on Thorn Town! The Thorns grind out a tenacious playoff victory with an all-hands-on-deck defensive effort. This team is headed to the Semifinals
thorntown.substack.com/p/fortress-m...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/fortress-m...
#BAONPDX
Fortress Mode
The Thorns stay mentally strong in a grueling three-hour marathon, beating San Diego 1-0 with a season-best defensive performance
thorntown.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Today on Thorn Town! The Thorns grind out a tenacious playoff victory with an all-hands-on-deck defensive effort. This team is headed to the Semifinals
thorntown.substack.com/p/fortress-m...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/fortress-m...
#BAONPDX
Reposted by Thorn Town
Olivia Moultrie led the NWSL with 122 shot involvements in 2025, chances created (54) and ranked 3rd in shot attempts (68)
Moultrie became just the 3rd player since Opta began data collection in '16 to record 60 shots and 50 chances created [Marta (65/63) in 2017 & Mallory Swanson (67/50) in 2021]
Moultrie became just the 3rd player since Opta began data collection in '16 to record 60 shots and 50 chances created [Marta (65/63) in 2017 & Mallory Swanson (67/50) in 2021]
November 9, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Olivia Moultrie led the NWSL with 122 shot involvements in 2025, chances created (54) and ranked 3rd in shot attempts (68)
Moultrie became just the 3rd player since Opta began data collection in '16 to record 60 shots and 50 chances created [Marta (65/63) in 2017 & Mallory Swanson (67/50) in 2021]
Moultrie became just the 3rd player since Opta began data collection in '16 to record 60 shots and 50 chances created [Marta (65/63) in 2017 & Mallory Swanson (67/50) in 2021]
Today on Thorn Town! You'll have to bust out a microscope to find any edge separating the Thorns and the Wave, an incredibly even playoff matchup:
thorntown.substack.com/p/diego-deluxe
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/diego-deluxe
#BAONPDX
Diego Deluxe
Every indication is that Wave at Thorns will be a very close, 50-50 matchup
thorntown.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Today on Thorn Town! You'll have to bust out a microscope to find any edge separating the Thorns and the Wave, an incredibly even playoff matchup:
thorntown.substack.com/p/diego-deluxe
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/diego-deluxe
#BAONPDX
Today on Thorn Town! A Portland victory over a clearly tired Houston team vaults the team into third place in the entire NWSL standings:
thorntown.substack.com/p/dash-away-...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/dash-away-...
#BAONPDX
Dash Away, Dash Away All
The Thorns take care of business against a Houston Dash team that clearly wanted the season to just end already
thorntown.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Today on Thorn Town! A Portland victory over a clearly tired Houston team vaults the team into third place in the entire NWSL standings:
thorntown.substack.com/p/dash-away-...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/dash-away-...
#BAONPDX
Today on Thorn Town! Olivia Moultrie's second half of the season is one of the best in NWSL, with seven goals scored. It's been a season-saving streak -- since nobody else has scored in a month:
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/moultrie-m...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/moultrie-m...
Moultrie Mania
Olivia Moultrie once again carries the Thorns on her back, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Angel City
thorntown.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Today on Thorn Town! Olivia Moultrie's second half of the season is one of the best in NWSL, with seven goals scored. It's been a season-saving streak -- since nobody else has scored in a month:
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/moultrie-m...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/moultrie-m...
Today on Thorn Town! It's a surprisingly low-octane performance for the Thorns, who are officially playing with fire when it comes to clinching a playoff seed
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/bring-me-s...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/bring-me-s...
Bring Me Some Juice
The Thorns play a passive game, uncharacteristically giving up a late goal in a 1-0 loss to the Pride
thorntown.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Today on Thorn Town! It's a surprisingly low-octane performance for the Thorns, who are officially playing with fire when it comes to clinching a playoff seed
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/bring-me-s...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/bring-me-s...
Today on Thorn Town! It's a star turn for Olivia Moultrie -- but the Thorns still being in fourth place feels shocking more than anything
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/just-okay-fc
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/just-okay-fc
Just-Okay FC
Olivia Moultrie single-handedly powers the Thorns to a sleepy 2-1 victory over Bay FC
thorntown.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Today on Thorn Town! It's a star turn for Olivia Moultrie -- but the Thorns still being in fourth place feels shocking more than anything
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/just-okay-fc
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/just-okay-fc
Today on Thorn Town! It is, quite simply, one of the worst weeks in franchise history: a blowout, bizarrely trading away a foundational player, and a torn ACL.
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/the-hive-i...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/the-hive-i...
The Hive is Empty
The Thorns get blown out, 3-0, and follow it up by shockingly trading away beloved franchise mainstay Hina Sugita
thorntown.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Today on Thorn Town! It is, quite simply, one of the worst weeks in franchise history: a blowout, bizarrely trading away a foundational player, and a torn ACL.
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/the-hive-i...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/the-hive-i...
Pretty cool!
From the field to the numbers
Yahaira Rodriguez, Performance Data Coordinator, was hired in partnership with our Match Stats program through First Tech Federal Credit Union.
This program drives equity and boosts STEM in women's sports. Learn more: www.thorns.com/news/from-th...
Yahaira Rodriguez, Performance Data Coordinator, was hired in partnership with our Match Stats program through First Tech Federal Credit Union.
This program drives equity and boosts STEM in women's sports. Learn more: www.thorns.com/news/from-th...
September 25, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Pretty cool!
Today on Thorn Town! The Thorns continue to have so-so games, capped off with very strong finishes. And, the front office looks deeper into the future than any other in the NWSL:
thorntown.substack.com/p/davey-jone...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/davey-jone...
#BAONPDX
Davey Jones' Locked-Up
The Thorns find a team that's their equal: the second 1-1 tie with the Wave this season keeps the teams all level in the standings as well
thorntown.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Today on Thorn Town! The Thorns continue to have so-so games, capped off with very strong finishes. And, the front office looks deeper into the future than any other in the NWSL:
thorntown.substack.com/p/davey-jone...
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/davey-jone...
#BAONPDX
Reposted by Thorn Town
We've announced today that defender Reyna Reyes has signed a contract extension through the 2030 season.
LFG REYNA!!! 🌹
More here: www.thorns.com/news/portlan...
LFG REYNA!!! 🌹
More here: www.thorns.com/news/portlan...
September 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
We've announced today that defender Reyna Reyes has signed a contract extension through the 2030 season.
LFG REYNA!!! 🌹
More here: www.thorns.com/news/portlan...
LFG REYNA!!! 🌹
More here: www.thorns.com/news/portlan...
Today on Thorn Town! The Thorns only manage to scrap out a draw against the league's 13th-place team, missing a big opportunity to advance in a tight playoff race:
thorntown.substack.com/p/chicago-dire
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/chicago-dire
#BAONPDX
Chicago Dire
The Thorns looked visibly sapped by fatigue while putting together an uninspiring 1-1 draw to the Stars
thorntown.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Today on Thorn Town! The Thorns only manage to scrap out a draw against the league's 13th-place team, missing a big opportunity to advance in a tight playoff race:
thorntown.substack.com/p/chicago-dire
#BAONPDX
thorntown.substack.com/p/chicago-dire
#BAONPDX