PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC today announced their 2022 preseason roster as the team opens training camp. Thorns FC will travel to Bend, Ore. for the start of training camp from Feb. 1-5.
The 2022 season will begin on Saturday, March 19, with group play for the NWSL Challenge Cup. The Cup will feature three groups of four teams, playing double round-robin matches, semifinals and the NWSL Challenge Cup Final on Saturday, May 7, broadcast on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live on Paramount+.
The season will continue with each of the 12 teams then playing home and away matches against every other team in the league for the first balanced schedule in league history. Critically, the league has been able to build a schedule framework for 2022 that will significantly limit the number of games that occur during FIFA windows, ensuring the league’s most accomplished players are able to compete for club and country with relatively few conflicts compared to recent years.
All told, each team will play 28 matches, 14 contests in home markets and 14 on the road. The full league schedule will be released at a later date.
Six teams will qualify for the NWSL playoffs set to take place beginning in October 2022, with the top two seeds receiving a first-round bye.
The 2022 campaign will end with the NWSL Championship the weekend of October 28-30.
2022 Thorns FC Preseason Roster
Goalkeepers (3): Bella Bixby, Shelby Hogan, Abby Smith
Defenders (7): Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, Natalia Kuikka (INTL), Emily Menges, Meaghan Nally, Madison Pogarch, Becky Sauerbrunn
Midfielders (8): Sam Coffey, Crystal Dunn, Olivia Moultrie, Gabby Provenzano (CDP), Rocky RodrÃguez, Yazmeen Ryan, Angela Salem (NYR), Hina Sugita (INTL, NYR)
Forwards (6): Natalie Beckman (CDP), Hannah Betfort, Marissa Everett, Christine Sinclair (NYR),Sophia Smith, Morgan Weaver
Key:
NRI – Non-roster invitee
NYR – Not yet reported to camp
INTL – International Player
CDP – 2022 NWSL Draft Pick
