Olivia Moultrie becomes youngest to reach 100 regular-season NWSL appearances

Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie marked her milestone appearance by recording a goal and assist in her team's victory at the Chicago Stars. Jessie Alcheh / Getty Images Share articleOlivia Moultrie on Sunday became the youngest player in National Women’s Soccer League history to reach 100 regular-season games played. The 20-year-old Portland Thorns midfielder marked the milestone by recording a goal and an assist in her team’s victory at the Chicago Stars. The 2-0 win maintained the Thorns’ top spot in the league table, 4 points above the second-place Washington Spirit. Moultrie opened scoring with a one-touch goal in the box, capitalizing on a clean assist from forward Pietra Jordin, who opened space by passing to Moultrie as defenders swarmed Jordin. Despite Chicago’s last-place ranking, the team maintained a balanced duel with the Thorns for nearly the entire match at Martin Field. It wasn’t until the 89th minute that Moultrie reminded fans why she is one of the best playmakers in the league and a Portland favorite. With a swift motion, Moultrie crossed a long ball to teammate Reilyn Turner as she ran toward the goal on the other side of the pitch. Turner found herself in a one-on-one with Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, beating her and then striking the ball into an empty net. Turner ran to Moultrie as the two embraced, and the goal secured Portland’s lead until full time. It’s no surprise Moultrie is the youngest player to reach 100 regular-season games. She changed the trajectory of the NWSL when, at 15, she sued the league in 2021 for her right to play in it. Two years earlier, she became a household name in American soccer when she announced, at 13, that she would forgo her college eligibility to go pro. She had already committed to UNC two years prior. Moultrie’s fight to play in the NWSL led to the league’s establishing guidelines for U-18 players to play in it. It opened the floodgates, with a steady stream of younger players following in Moultrie’s footsteps to play in the NWSL. This meant records set by Moultrie would be broken many times over as she developed into one of the best midfielders, both in the NWSL and for the U.S. women’s national team. She debuted for the USWNT in 2023 at 18. The creative midfielder has played only for the Thorns since debuting in a regular-season NWSL match in 2021. Last year, she extended her contract with Portland through 2029. “The biggest thing for me is being in an environment where I can keep improving, because I’m nowhere near a finished product,” Moultrie told The Athletic. “Feeling that support from everyone here was huge in determining where I wanted to be. I feel supported in every way. I’m grateful for the opportunity, proud to wear this jersey and ready to keep chasing titles with this team.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms