Deyna Castellanos: La Capitana

Deyna Castellanos has been one of the most talented players in women's soccer since she was a teenager scoring goals at U-17 World Cups that nobody from Venezuela was supposed to score. She's the all-time leading scorer in U-17 FIFA Women's World Cup history with 11 goals. She captained Venezuela at 21. She starred at Florida State, tore up La Liga with Atletico Madrid, and now she's in Portland trying to add an NWSL title to a career that already reads like a highlight reel. The Thorns signed her from Bay FC in January 2025. She scored her first goal in April. La Capitana is just getting started in the Rose City.

The Girl from Venezuela Who Rewrote the Record Books

Venezuela is not a women's soccer powerhouse. That's what makes Castellanos remarkable. She didn't come through a U.S. development academy or a European youth system. She came from a country where women's soccer barely had infrastructure, and she became the most prolific scorer in the history of the U-17 FIFA Women's World Cup. Eleven goals. More than anyone from any country, ever. She also holds the Venezuelan U-17 record with 35 goals. She didn't just represent her country -- she put it on the map.

Named captain of the senior team at 21, Castellanos has 22 goals in 38 caps. For context, Venezuela's men have never qualified for a World Cup. Castellanos is arguably the most famous soccer player the country has produced, regardless of gender.

Atletico Madrid and the European Chapter

After lighting up the ACC at Florida State -- 48 goals and 22 assists in 82 matches -- Castellanos went to Europe. Atletico Madrid. La Liga. She scored 26 goals in 71 matches and became one of the faces of women's football in Spain. A stint at Manchester City followed. Then the NWSL called, first with Bay FC, and now Portland.

The Thorns Chapter

Castellanos signed with Portland in January 2025 from Bay FC. She scored her first Thorns goal on April 22, 2025, in a 4-1 win over Gotham FC. Listed as a midfielder by the Thorns and a forward by ESPN -- because she's both. She operates in the spaces between the lines, connecting midfield to attack, capable of scoring from distance or threading the final pass. In Vilahamn's system, she's the creative wildcard alongside Fleming's steadiness and Moultrie's directness. Three very different players, one very dangerous midfield.