PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have acquired defender Tegan McGrady from San Diego Wave FC in exchange for defender Madison Pogarch, it was announced today.
“It’s bittersweet to watch Po go, she has been an absolute professional, leading in the community, locker room and on the field, she will be missed,” said Karina LeBlanc, Thorns FC general manager. “In speaking with Po, she was thankful for her time with Thorns and the role the club provided in helping her start her professional career. It is something she never took for granted. Early in the season, Po approached us and said if the right opportunity presented itself with a new club she would be open to that discussion, and along with Po we felt this was the right situation. We wish her all the best as she heads to San Diego.”
McGrady won an NWSL Championship with Washington before playing with San Diego
McGrady, 24, was the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft by the Washington Spirit out of Stanford. In 2021, McGrady helped guide the Spirit to the 2021 NWSL Championship, appearing in 16 matches (11 starts). Across three seasons with Washington from 2019-21, McGrady played in 34 matches across all competitions, including the Challenge Cup and playoffs. Ahead of the 2022 campaign, McGrady was traded to San Diego and this season with Wave FC she appeared in 10 games, making nine starts for the NWSL expansion side.
“Tegan is an intense competitor who is strong on the ball and likes to get involved in attacks,” said Thorns FC head coach Rhian Wilkinson. “She reads the game well and has wonderful timing to join in and contribute to attacks. We look forward to having Tegan become our newest Thorns addition, we know she will bring a lot to the team and the organization as a whole through her play and because of her top character.”
A standout for the Cardinal, McGrady’s collegiate career spanned from 2015-18 as she helped Stanford win a NCAA Championship in 2017. During her four seasons, McGrady appeared in 72 games (61 starts), tallying four goals and 13 assists. She was an All-American in 2018 and an All-Pac 12 selection three times, including first team honors in 2018, while also earning first All-Region recognition in 2017 and 2018.
McGrady earned her first international cap with the U.S. Women’s National Team on April 8, 2018, against Mexico. She also featured for the U.S. at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels, competing with the U-17s at the 2013 Concacaf Championships.
Wilkinson on Pogarch: "Incredible player and teammate"
Pogarch was undrafted out of Rutgers University and signed with Thorns FC on May 8, 2019. Across four seasons in Portland, Pogarch appeared in 45 games across all competitions, registering three assists. In NWSL regular season action, she played in 28 games (7 starts), recording two assists. She made her professional and Thorns FC debut on May 25, 2019, in a road match against Sky Blue FC.
“Madison has been an incredible player and teammate here in Portland. She always brings a wonderful energy, and can be counted on to be the first to celebrate and hype up her teammates,” said Wilkinson. “We have seen her impact in the past few games, her intensity on and off the ball, as well as her wonderful crossing ability. She is popular with her team and fans, and will be hugely missed. We would like to wish Po every success and thank her for her service to the Thorns.”
Thorns FC return to action after a league-wide break, traveling for a road match against Racing Louisville FC on Friday, July 29; kickoff is set for 5 p.m. (Pacific) on Paramount+.
Tegan McGrady
Position: Defender
Height: 5-6
Born: Oct. 11, 1997
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
Previous Club: San Diego Wave FC
College: Stanford
