Portland Thorns FC

NWSL

Portland Thorns FC is an American professional football team based in Portland, Oregon, that competes in the National Women's Soccer League. Established in 2012, the team began play in 2013.

Signature Fun Facts

What makes Portland Thorns FC what it is.

She chose the number 66 after her usual number 6 was unavailable in college, and it later took on personal meaning when her family moved her to school via Route 66, making it a unique and sentimental choice.

At the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, she led the U.S. team in scoring with four goals, including a hat trick against Paraguay, becoming the fifth American to achieve this feat in the tournament.

More Fun Facts

Quirky facts from the Portland Thorns FC squad.

She was the youngest player to sign, debut, assist, and score in the NWSL.

She featured in Nike’s “Dream Crazier” ad narrated by Serena Williams, shown during the Oscars in 2019.

She saved three penalties in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final shootout against France, earning nicknames like "The Brick Wall" and "Minister for Defence."

In 2022, she helped UCLA win the NCAA title by coming back from 2 goals down against North Carolina in the final.

Aged 12, Marie appeared on the German TV show Klein gegen Groß (“Small against Big”), where she won a juggling challenge against former professional footballer Lars Ricken.

She became a goalkeeper by chance after being rejected as a right back at age 14, reluctantly stepping into the role years later when her club needed a keeper—marking the unexpected start of her path to the national team.

She turned pro at 13, becoming the youngest American female player to sign a professional soccer deal.

She signed a Nike endorsement deal at 13 — a rare move that brought major attention to youth soccer.

In 2023, she became just the second goalkeeper in NWSL history to score a goal, tying a match in stoppage time.

She’s the all-time leading scorer in FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup history (11 goals).

She sued the NWSL at age 15 to challenge its minimum age rule — and won, opening the door for younger players league-wide.

After three seasons with Kolding, Obaze joined HB Køge, where she helped the Danish-side lift three consecutive league titles and advance to the UEFA Women’s Champions League Group Stage for the first time in club history.

She scored the game-winning goal in extra time to help UCLA win the 2022 NCAA Championship.

In 2021, Reilyn became the first college athlete to sign a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Nike.

In the 2024 season, Hanks led Wake Forest to its first-ever NCAA Division I Women's Soccer National Championship final, recording 11 goals and 12 assists.