Reilyn Turner's Breakout Season Elevates Her to USWNT Contender

Reilyn Turner is on a roll, with four goals in nine matches for the Portland Thorns and a growing reputation as one of the most versatile and dangerous forwards in the NWSL. The 23-year-old forward, who made her USWNT debut with a goal in January, is now firmly in the conversation for a prominent role in the national team’s future.

Turner’s professional journey began in January 2024, when she was selected sixth overall in the NWSL Draft by Racing Louisville. In her rookie season, she recorded four goals and two assists before being traded to Portland Thorns FC in August in exchange for Canada international Janine Sonis. Since the trade, Turner has thrived, scoring six goals in 27 appearances during the 2024 season and contributing a game-winning goal in the playoffs.

Her performance earned her a contract extension through 2028 with an option for 2029. “My goal, no matter what my role on the team, no matter what team I’m on, is to make a difference and make an impact and score as many goals as I can,” Turner said in an interview with Willamette Week.

Turner’s path to the pros was anything but conventional. A standout at Laguna Beach High School, where she was named Orange Coast League MVP and All-CIF, she continued her success at UCLA, where she tallied 32 goals and 14 assists in three seasons. Her sophomore year was particularly impressive, highlighted by a College Cup-winning season in which she scored the game-winner in the semifinals and the tying goal in the final. She earned Pac-12 Forward of the Year and Second-Team All-American honors.

At 5-foot-9, Turner is a physical forward who wins aerial duels and excels in one-on-one situations. Her ability to play both wide and through the middle has made her an asset for Portland as it navigates injuries and rotations. She recorded three goals in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, including one in the quarterfinals, and has proven her mettle in high-pressure moments.

On the international stage, Turner scored the opening goal in the USWNT’s 6-0 win over Paraguay in January, a performance that included a key pass that led to an own goal. “Today has been a dream come true, honestly,” she said after that match. “This has been my dream since I was maybe three years old.”

With three goals in her first four NWSL matches of 2025 and her USWNT chances growing, Turner is positioning herself as a top-tier forward who could play a pivotal role in the team’s future under Emma Hayes. Her next test comes this weekend as the Thorns host the San Diego Wave.