PORTLAND, Ore. – Following the conclusion of the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League season, four Portland Thorns FC players were named recipients of club awards for the 2017 campaign.
Highlighting this season’s list of award winners in the club’s fifth season are Thorns FC goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, defender Emily Sonnett and forwards Hayley Raso and Christine Sinclair.
Most Valuable Player; Community MVP – Adrianna Franch
Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch was named NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year in her second season with Thorns FC. A Best XI selection, Franch finished the regular season with a record of 14-5-5, recording 80 saves and 11 shutouts, starting all 24 matches for Portland. The Salina, Kan., native set an NWSL single-season record for shutouts, leading the league in 2017, while also posting an NWSL-best 80.0 save percentage and ranking tied for fourth in saves. In addition, Franch was selected as the team’s community MVP – an award given to the individual who made a significant impact in the community, committing their time and efforts through the clubs’ community platform, Stand Together – on Oct. 1 at the club’s annual Stand Together Banquet.
Defender of the Year – Emily Sonnett
Defender Emily Sonnett was one of four Thorns FC players to start every match for the club in 2017. In her second season with Portland, Sonnett tallied three goals and one assist during the regular season. Sonnett helped lead the league’s best defense in 2017, which posted a 0.83 goals-against average and equaled the top goals-against average in a season in NWSL history, while also conceding the fewest goals (20) in the league and posting 11 shutouts.
Supporters’ Player of the Year – Hayley Raso
Voted on by Thorns FC fans and presented after the team’s final regular-season home match on Sept. 30, forward Hayley Raso was named Supporters’ Player of the Year. The Australian international tallied six goals and three assists during the regular season, appearing in 22 matches (20 starts) for Thorns FC. Raso tallied her first career NWSL goal on June 28 against FC Kansas City and also scored her first career NWSL brace in a 2-1 win on the road against Seattle on Aug. 26, earning her first NWSL Player of the Week honors. In addition, Raso registered her first career NWSL playoff goal in a 4-1 semifinal win against the Orlando Pride on Oct. 7 at Providence Park.
Golden Boot – Christine Sinclair
Forward Christine Sinclair was the recipient of the team’s Golden Boot award with a team-best eight goals. Sinclair was one of four players to start in all 24 matches, logging 2,143 minutes – setting career bests in both categories. Sinclair’s eight goals equaled an individual single-season high as she opened her Thorns FC career with an eight-goal season in 2013. Additionally, Sinclair became the club’s all-time leading goal scorer (31 goals) with the game-winner on the road against Boston on Sept. 10, while also tallying a pair of braces (June 28 vs. FC Kansas City, Sept. 2 vs. Washington Spirit).
2017 Portland Thorns FC Club Awards
Most Valuable Player; Community MVP – Adrianna Franch
Defender of the Year – Emily Sonnett
Supporters’ Player of the Year – Hayley Raso
Golden Boot – Christine Sinclair
