Portland Thorns forward Caiya Hanks netted the match‑winning goal against Orlando Pride on Saturday, marking her first appearance since tearing her ACL in June 2025.
The 21‑year‑old came on in the 88th minute with the score locked at 1‑1 at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. After receiving a pass from full‑back M.A. Vignola during the sixth minute of stoppage time, Hanks surged toward the middle of the attacking third, took three touches to set up a right‑footed effort, and curled it past diving keeper Anna Moorhouse to a roar from the crowd.
Hanks’ teammates swarmed her on the field in an emotional celebration while the broadcast cut to her mother and grandmother beaming in the stands.
“I wanted to cry, but I told myself, ‘No, not now. There’s still time left and the game isn’t over,’” Hanks said in the post‑match press conference. “But it truly means a lot to me.”
Despite often being on the back foot against the 2024 NWSL champions, Portland took the lead in the 58th minute when Venezuelan international midfielder Deyna Castellanos launched a soaring shot that sailed over Orlando’s defense.
Orlando levelled five minutes later after a deflection from Pride forward Jacquie Ovalle. The Mexican international chased a cross that compelled Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold off her line for a save, but the ball rebounded off Ovalle and crossed the end line to restore parity.
Caiya Hanks scores her first goal since her return from an ACL injury, and it’s a CRUCIAL one for Portland! pic.twitter.com/aS97GJL4Jk
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 16, 2026
The win gave Portland some breathing room in the NWSL standings. With 34 points, they sit fourth behind Gotham FC (43 points), the Utah Royals (36) and the Washington Spirit (36).
The goal marked Hanks’ first since May 16, 2025, just weeks before her season‑ending ACL tear. Portland had signed the 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy finalist to a four‑year deal in March of that year, and the Wake Forest graduate quickly adapted to the NWSL, showing what she could bring to the three‑time league champions. Prior to her injury she started seven of her eleven appearances, tallying two goals and an assist.
“It was a gruelling 14 months,” Hanks said of her recovery. “There were moments I didn’t even want to show up, and other times the only thing that got me through the day was being with the team, laughing and smiling in the locker room.” “Not being able to play the sport I’ve loved for so long, to share my abilities with my family or step onto the field with my teammates, has been tough. But the support system I’ve had has been incredible.”
Sitting beside her at the press conference, Castellanos smiled and said, “She wasn’t crying, but we were.”
Hanks’ return comes at a particularly welcome time after the Thorns announced on Tuesday that U.S. women’s national team midfielder Olivia Moultrie will miss the remainder of the season with an ACL injury. Portland also welcomed back forward Morgan Weaver on July 24 following a right‑knee injury that necessitated three surgeries and a meniscus and cartilage transplant. Weaver, who sat out the 2025 campaign, was on the field when Hanks scored on Saturday.
“We’ve had many conversations, and ultimately we stick together,” Castellanos said. “We know the potential we hold as a team; losing Olivia is painful, but we welcome back Caiya and Morgan, with Julie Dufour on her way back too. I believe it’s all about supporting one another and staying united.”
Portland will host Denver Summit next Saturday before heading to Harrison, New Jersey, to face league‑leading Gotham FC on August 28.
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