On a Friday night, around 20 activists from the ‘Save Women’s Sports’ movement, dressed in XX-XY Athletics shirts, were forcibly escorted out of a Portland Thorns match. This occurred after members of the group faced physical and verbal hostility during a protest advocating for female-only sports.
The incident took place during the Thorns’ match against the North Carolina Courage at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. The game was marked as ‘Fan Appreciation’ night on the club’s calendar.
Preliminary reports suggest that the group initially entered the stadium with their XX-XY shirts covered, keeping them hidden through the first half. As the second half began, they revealed their shirts and displayed a large banner reading ‘Save Women’s Sports’. The situation escalated quickly from this point.
Save Women’s Sports activists are surrounded by an agitated group of trans supporters after unfurling a large ‘Save Women’s Sports’ banner and revealing XX-XY shirts at a Portland Thorns match on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.(OutKick)
Other fans, reportedly supporting transgender inclusion in women’s sports, responded with verbal abuse and physical aggression. The activists were struck with flagpoles carrying trans flags. Security then escorted about 20 demonstrators out of the stadium.
The event’s organizers included women’s sports activist Amy Sousa and commentator Brandi Kruse, who had previously organized rallies supporting WNBA player Sophie Cunningham. Sousa stated that they filed police reports after being removed from the stadium.
Sousa recalled, We were attacked by fans. We were hit with flags. We had drinks thrown at us.
She added that a woman using a walker was forcibly pushed out, and another woman was punched in the face.
This incident was not the first ejection for Sousa and XX-XY supporters at a Thorns game at Providence Park. A smaller group faced removal in early September, with accusations of transphobia aimed at their pro-women apparel.
The decision to reveal the banner and shirts at the start of the second half was a strategic move, as soccer games have no official breaks. However, members of the Rose City Riveters, the Thorns’ pro-trans supporters group, seemed to anticipate their plan.
As the second half began, some fans received transgender pride flags, apparently to block the view of the banner and XX-XY supporters. One man across the aisle from the group repeatedly shouted insults, and chants of ‘Trans lives matter!’ soon followed.
OutKick reporter Matt Calkins, who was credentialed for the match, tried to document the confrontation but was also attacked verbally and physically. He was insulted, had his phone knocked away, and beer poured on him. Calkins managed to capture this on video.
XX-XY supporters faced rough treatment. Kruse had her arm restrained by a security guard, who escorted her out. She described being repeatedly hit with flags, with assailants pretending it was accidental.
Kruse asked security, Why are we being asked to leave and they’re not?
She was shocked by the response and subsequent removal.
Director of security Jim McCausland was contacted by OutKick for a comment but was unavailable. The Thorns’ communication director also did not respond to inquiries about the incident.
Some supporters exited the stadium before the banner’s reveal, fearing for their safety. Ari Laureano stayed despite seeing threatening messages on other spectators’ clothing.
Laureano stated, The average person doesn’t understand what’s happening, and the media paints women as bigots.
He stood with the activists against issues in women’s sports.
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), including the Thorns and 15 other teams, has no policy that would exclude male-born players. Additionally, measures in Washington and Colorado on November ballots aim to limit school sports participation based on biological sex.
Women like Sousa and Kruse, along with XX-XY founder Jennifer Sey, remain committed to passing these measures, without resorting to violence or hostility.
In response to the confrontational situation, Kruse commented, I live with things I disagree with daily. It never occurs to me to assault someone.
This reflects a significant contrast in attitudes toward dissent.