Thorns FC win streak comes to an end, but recent run has team in good position entering international break

Photo Credit: Portland Timbers, Craig Mitchelldyer

Looking to extend their team-record winning streak and further their pursuits towards a new NWSL record for consecutive victories, Portland Thorns FC traveled across the country to Orlando, Fla., Friday with history in mind.

Only problem was, they faced an equally hot Orlando Pride.

In the end, the Pride emerged with a 2-1 victory, extending their own winning streak to eight straight games, which sets a new NWSL record. The loss was the Thorns’ first since April 13, snapping their team-record six-game winning streak.

The matchup between the two hottest teams in the league had extra spice to it for sure. In fact, it marked the first time in league history that two teams riding winning streaks of four-plus games faced one another.  

It’s hard to fault the Thorns, considering their recent run of form and their dramatic turnaround this season. Add to that, they were without offensive standout Sophia Smith for the game against the Pride due to injury.

As hot as they’ve been lately, it hasn’t always been that way this season. But after going winless and totaling just one point over their first four games of the year, the Thorns are now 6-4-1 (19 points) as they near the halfway point of the season, good for fourth place in the 14-team NWSL after this past game week.

Under the direction of interim head coach Rob Gale, the season turnaround has been remarkable. During its six-game win streak, Portland scored a whopping 17 goals while scoring multiple times in each of the six games. 

Gale, who joined the Thorns staff as an assistant coach in 2023, was named interim head coach on April 16 of this year and has guided the team to victories over Houston (twice), Chicago, Bay FC, Washington and Seattle since taking over. The recent run of form quickly helped the Thorns get things back on track after their worst four-game start to a season in their history.

After Friday’s loss – the first since Gale took over – Gale reflected on the winning streak that was and the performance of the team over the last six weeks.

“[I am] Just awfully proud of all the players, the organization,” Gale said. “We came in under difficult circumstances. We were a new team, we had to adapt quickly and I’m so proud.”

Now, the Thorns enjoy a bye week as they enter an international break. They return to action on Saturday, June 8, as they play host to the North Carolina Courage on Pride Night at Providence Park.

Off the field, the Thorns announced last week the addition of several new investors to their ownership group.