Incident at Portland Thorns Match Highlights Tensions Over Women’s Sports

At a Portland Thorns soccer match on October 23, 2026, around 20 activists from the “Save Women’s Sports” movement were removed from Providence Park. The Thorns were playing against the North Carolina Courage on what was billed as “Fan Appreciation” night. The activists wore XX-XY Athletics shirts and unveiled a banner to support female-only sports.

According to initial reports, the group entered the venue with their shirts hidden. They revealed them at the start of the second half, displaying a large “Save Women’s Sports” banner. This action drew a heated response from some spectators. Transgender rights supporters in the crowd allegedly responded with verbal insults and physical aggression.

Security intervened to escort the group of about 20 activists out of the stadium. Amy Sousa, a women’s sports activist, stated that the activists faced physical attacks from some fans, including being hit with flagpoles and having drinks thrown at them. Sousa reported the incident to the police, describing a chaotic scene where an ADA woman using a walker was pushed out the door.

This confrontation mirrors a similar event from September when Sousa and other XX-XY Athletics supporters were removed from another Thorns match. At that time, Sousa was reportedly accused of being “transphobic.” The decision to reveal the banner during the second half was a tactical choice to avoid ejection, given that soccer matches have continuous play.

Some fans, supporters of trans inclusion in sports, opposed the activists’ presence and actions. Before the second half, transgender pride flags were distributed among some spectators, possibly to obstruct the view of the XX-XY supporters’ banner.

Matt Calkins, a reporter for OutKick, documented the incident despite facing hostility. He experienced verbal abuse and had his phone knocked from his hand. Security handled the situation by forcibly guiding Brandi Kruse, a commentator and one of the demonstrators, out of the stadium.

Brandi Kruse recounted being physically restrained by security after multiple alleged assaults during the protest. She questioned why only her group was removed, while those who physically attacked them were allowed to stay. Kruse expressed shock over security’s actions.

Ari Laureano, a detransitioned supporter, stayed with the group despite fears for his safety. He reported being struck in the face by a flagpole shortly after revealing his shirt. Laureano expressed a strong belief in the cause, despite expecting little sympathy from the media. He articulated his perspective as a gay man who experienced harm from early transitioning.

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), which includes the Thorns, lacks a policy to automatically exclude male-born players. Meanwhile, Washington and Colorado are voting on measures to restrict school sports participation by biological sex.

Sousa and Kruse, key figures in the effort, aim for these changes without resorting to violence or harsh rhetoric. Kruse emphasized the stark differences in perspective, recalling how she, as a conservative living in Seattle, navigates opposing views without considering violence.