How many players are on the Portland Thorns roster?

The Portland Thorns have 31 contracted players for 2026 with 26 on the active roster per the club's March 12 announcement. 30 players are profiled on this page. 3 are on season-ending injury (Moultrie, Bixby, Dufour). 1 is on loan to Portland from another club (Wood).

Who is the Portland Thorns head coach in 2026?

Robert Vilahamn is the Portland Thorns head coach for the 2026 season. He joined from Tottenham Hotspur Women in the English WSL. His visa was approved days before the season opener, and he won his debut match 1-0 at Washington.

Who is the Portland Thorns captain?

The Portland Thorns captaincy for 2026 is led by midfielder Jessie Fleming, the Canadian international and Olympic gold medalist who joined from Chelsea. She wears the armband and sets the tone in midfield.

How many international players are on the Thorns roster?

The Portland Thorns have 9 international players on the 2026 roster, from 9 countries: Australia (Arnold), Canada (Fleming), Venezuela (Castellanos), Norway (Bogere), Denmark (Obaze), Mexico (Reyes), Germany (Muller), France (Dufour), and Colombia (Loboa). Mimi Alidou (Canada) transferred to Montreal Roses FC in July 2026.

NWSL 2026 · Full Squad

Portland Thorns FC 2026 Roster

Vilahamn's first squad. Wilson's return. International depth everywhere.

Robert Vilahamn walked into the building with a visa approved days before the opener and a squad built to compete for a fourth star. The bones are familiar: Sophia Wilson back in the starting XI and scoring again, Olivia Moultrie running the show at 20, Jessie Fleming wearing the armband. But the edges are new. Cassandra Bogere stepped into Sam Coffey's midfield role and looked like she'd been there for years. Mackenzie Arnold anchors the back line from goal. Ten internationals from nine countries make this the most globally connected Thorns roster in club history.

This is the full 2026 squad: every player, every position, every profile.

Contracted

Active Roster

Internationals

Profiled Here

Goalkeepers

Mackenzie Arnold

Goalkeeper

Australia · 58 caps · 2023 FIFA Best GK finalist

Clean sheet in opener · Stepped up when it mattered

Mackenzie Wood

Goalkeeper

Loan from Chicago Stars

New for 2026

Defenders

Carolyn Calzada

Defender

Notre Dame · First pro contract

Germany · International slot

Isabella Obaze

Defender

Denmark · International slot

Jayden Perry

Defender

Young back line depth

Midfielders

Cassandra Bogere

Midfielder

Norway · ~100 pro apps by 20 · From SK Brann

New for 2026

Deyna Castellanos

Midfielder

Venezuela · Atletico Madrid alumna

Jessie Fleming

Midfielder

Canada captain · 157 caps · Olympic gold

Shae Harvey

Midfielder

Stanford · 11 goals, 15 assists · Rookie

New for 2026

Olivia Moultrie

Midfielder

23 career goals · Signed pro at 15 · Out for the season (ACL)

Nina Nijstad

Midfielder

Netherlands · Signed from PSV through 2029

New for 2026

Renee Lyles

Midfielder

Clemson · Extended through end of 2026

Jennie Immethun

Midfielder

UCLA · Transferred to Angel City (July 2026)

Forwards

Sophia Wilson

Forward

2022 MVP · 57 goals · USWNT

Reilyn Turner

Forward

USWNT · Scored on debut · Extended through 2028

Pietra Tordin

Forward

2x NWSL Rookie of the Month · Princeton product

Mimi Alidou

Forward

Canada · Transferred to Montreal Roses FC (July 2026)

Alexa Spaanstra

Forward

Attacking versatility

Maddie Padelski

Forward

Alabama · U-17 World Cup bronze · Signed through 2027

New for 2026

Valerin Loboa

Forward

Colombia · Deportivo Cali · Signed through 2028

SEI: Olivia Moultrie, Bella Bixby, Julie Dufour · LOAN: Mackenzie Wood · Roster as of October 15, 2026

Injured & loan players (3 profiles)

Coaching Staff

The new regime.

Head Coach

Robert Vilahamn

Former Tottenham Hotspur Women manager. Won his debut 1-0 at Washington. Visa approved days before the opener. First-year Thorns coaches are 5-0-2 in debut matches. The streak holds.

First Assistant Coach

Sarah Lowdon

Served as the Thorns' interim head coach, then was promoted to first assistant on April 14, 2026.

Assistant Coach

Vytautas Andriuskevicius

Known as Vytas. Part of Vilahamn's technical staff.

More Thorns

Full Schedule Championships Providence Park Guide Team Hub Full Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions

How many players are on the 2026 Thorns roster?

31 contracted players per the club's March 12 announcement, with 26 on the active roster. 30 are profiled on this page. 3 are on season-ending injury (Moultrie, Bixby, Dufour). 1 is on loan to Portland from another club (Wood).

Who is the Thorns head coach?

Robert Vilahamn, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur Women. Won his debut at Washington 1-0. Assisted by first assistant coach Sarah Lowdon and assistant coach Vytautas Andriuskevicius.

Who is the Thorns captain?

Jessie Fleming wears the armband for 2026. Canadian international, Olympic gold medalist, Chelsea alumna. She reads the game two passes ahead and sets the standard in the locker room. See her full player profile.

How many international players do the Thorns have?

9 internationals from 9 countries: Mackenzie Arnold (Australia), Jessie Fleming (Canada), Deyna Castellanos (Venezuela), Cassandra Bogere (Norway), Isabella Obaze (Denmark), Reyna Reyes (Mexico), Marie Muller (Germany), Julie Dufour (France), and Valerin Loboa (Colombia). Mimi Alidou (Canada) transferred to Montreal Roses FC in July 2026.