PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC today announced the team’s season-opening roster for the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) campaign. Opening the campaign with six straight road matches, Thorns FC travel to square off against the Orlando Pride in their season-opening match on Sunday, April 14; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific).
The 2019 roster features 21 players who were part of the 2018 team that helped guide Thorns FC to their third NWSL Championship appearance in six seasons, while also earning a third consecutive top-two finish in the league and fifth trip to the NWSL Playoffs in six seasons. Among the group are 2018 NWSL MVP Lindsey Horan and 2018 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Adrianna Franch, along with 2018 NWSL Best XI selections Tobin Heath and Emily Sonnett and NWSL Second XI picks Emily Menges and Christine Sinclair.
Thorns FC return a strong group of players with international experience, including Australian international Caitlin Foord, who has received her green card and no longer occupies an international roster spot, as well as Ellie Carpenter and Hayley Raso. Swiss international Ana Crnogorcevic returns for her second season with the club, while Dagny Brynjarsdottir is back for a third season in Portland. The Icelandic international played for Thorns FC during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, and returns for a third season in 2019 following the birth of her son.
Portland also has signed Bella Bixby and Gabby Seiler. Thorns FC selected Bixby and Seiler in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.
PORTLAND THORNS FC
ROSTERED PLAYERS (22 of 22 spots filled):
GOALKEEPERS (3): Bella Bixby (SUP), Britt Eckerstrom, Adrianna Franch (FED-USA)
DEFENDERS (8): Elizabeth Ball, Ellie Carpenter (INTL-AUS), Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, Emily Menges, Katherine Reynolds, Gabby Seiler, Emily Sonnett (FED-USA)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Andressinha (PEN, INTL-BRA), Celeste Boureille, Dagny Brynjarsdottir (INTL-ISL), Tobin Heath (FED-USA), Lindsey Horan (FED-USA), Midge Purce, Angela Salem (PEN), Sandra Yu (PEN)
FORWARDS (7): Ana Crnogorcevic (INTL-SUI), Caitlin Foord, Tyler Lussi, Ifeoma Onumonu, Hayley Raso (INTL-AUS), Christine Sinclair (FED-CAN), Mallory Weber
FEDERATION PLAYERS (FED): 5
INTERNATIONAL ROSTER SPOTS FILLED (INTL): 4
Key:
ACTIVE SENIOR ROSTER:
FED (Federation Player): Any player assigned to a roster by virtue of being a Federation Player
INTL (International Player): Any player using an international roster spot
ROSTERED PLAYERS NOT COUNTED AGAINST ACTIVE SENIOR ROSTER LIMIT:
D45 (45-Day Disabled List): Any player on the 45-Day disabled list
SEI (Season Ending Injury List): Any player on the season ending injury list
NTR (National Team Replacement): Any player replacing a player who is with their National Team
GKR (Goalkeeper Replacement): Any goalkeeper replacing a goalkeeper on the roster due to injury
MAT (Maternity): Any player out for an extended period due to maternity
LOA (Loan): Any player who is loaned out to another club
PEN (Pending): Any player signed that will join club on a future date
SUP (Supplemental): Any player on the Supplemental Roster
