Everyone should score goals for the thorns this year. But especially Reilyn Turner.

The Portland Thorns organized a baby party for mothers, including Sophia Wilson yesterday afternoon. She (like midfielder Olivia Wade-Katoa) is for maternity leave for the season. The other team of stars of the team, Morgan Weaver, sits with a knee injury a year. Between the two strikes are 16 of the 37 goals in Portland last season that the thorns have to replace.

This gap combines the biggest question in connection with this year's Thorns squad: Who is this team? And more precisely: How will Portland use the young, exciting talent on their roster and transform this into results in the field?

Reilyn Turner takes everything intensely.

“Losing those players who have very, very large presences in the field in their attack and their ability to score are difficult before the season,” says the striker. “But that only opens up opportunities to show what you can do.”

In addition to Wilson, it played that Turner showed a look at the threat that she represents. Last season she scored Portland's playoff goal in the first round against NJ/NY Gotham FC, a game that the thorns lost 2-1. It was what was to be a classic gymnast goal: to climb over Gotham's defense lawyer to safely lead the ball into the back of the network.

Eight games in 2025 leads Turner Portland's young squad in goals with three a year. (She also opened an assistance and showed her setbacks for the lonely goal of the Thorns in her victory against Orlando Pride last night.) This is a decent claim in a team that scored the sixth goals this season, even though he has a high league value for shots this season.

“My goal, no matter what my role in the team, regardless of which team I am in, is to make a difference and achieve as many goals as possible,” says Turner.

In a team without the leading goal scorer in 2024, a goal of scoring goals will always be a good thing. This gymnast provides it even better.

“She was dynamic for us,” said Coffey, pointing to Turner's ability to poach balls of opponents and end their chances and end an attack threat to the thorns. “I am really confident that we will continue to see more of it. I think she is just starting.”

In her second National Women's Soccer League season, Turner is no stranger to the spotlight. In 2021 she was the first college athlete at the UCLA in the second year to sign a name, picture and a degree with Nike. At that time she spoke about the black athletes who pave the way in front of her – and her hopes to inspire those who come afterwards.

“I have the feeling that the game has changed significantly since then,” says Turner. “The presentation that black athletes have in this league has grown exponentially.” It underlines the US women's national team “Triple Espresso” at the 2024 Olympic Games, which is made up of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and his own Wilson of Thorns.

With Wilson on maternity leave, the limelight on Turner has become brighter. But that does not mean that the expectation of you is to wear the team. “I ask every player to score goals for me,” said Thorn's head coach Rob Gale at the beginning of the season.

Finding the last pass combinations in the game and improving the chances in front of the network are things that take time-especially for players who adapt to the game speed of the NWSL and work together. Portland generally improved the game to game this season. If this trend continues, there is no reason why the goals from all areas of the field are no longer accompanied. The most important thing, however, is that this year's squad seems to be bought into the process – and together.

“The culture of the team this year is very supportive,” says Turner. “We know what we have lost and we also know what we won.”

Turner refers to Caiya Hanks, the rookie out out out out out of wake Forest University, which has advertised the first choice in a college draft this year. “Your speed and your ability to go on the flank and get balls over the box is really, very dangerous,” says Turner. “I found a lot of fun to play a lot with her. I would look at the faster end of the players, and it is really nice to be able to play with her and her speed and her persistence.”

This cannot be mentioned that the latest signing Mimi Alidou or Deyna Castellanos, both members of their respective national teams, each achieved one goal in their Thorns. Or Rookie Pietra Tordin on the bench. And we cannot forget that someone like Centerback Jayden Perry, who has two penalty goals in the league in their first year. Or the best established Sam Coffey or Hina Sugita or Olivia Moultrie or Jessie Fleming.

On the one hand, Turner is happy about the possibilities. “Experience is important, but I also think that new players and players who may not have so much experience are exciting to play,” she says. “And it's difficult to play. In this league it is dangerous.”

It certainly does not hurt that Turner is more populated in Portland. “Sometimes it takes a second to settle down and find their reason,” said the co-captain of teammates and thorns, Sam Coffey. “It comes in such astonishly in itself. It was a pleasure to watch and play with it.”

With a low season, Turner had the chance to deal in a city and to exploit the nearby forests and the local cafés. (She wants to explore new jobs instead of visiting the same café every time.)

On the field, Turner has the feeling that she also has permission to further experiment. “Our team has confidence in each other, to take risks,” she says. This helps you when she misses a passport or beats a shot wide; She knows that she will get another chance.

It is good on the way to establish itself as the key figure of this new generation of Portland Soccer – one that has an identity of previous legends.

“I am very persistent in front of the goal, no matter where it is,” says Turner. “When the ball goes down the field and I know that we have a chance to score, I'll be alive.”

Next match

@ San Diego Wave FC

7:00 p.m. Saturday, May 10th

Broadcast on Ion on television