PORTLAND, Ore. – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) today announced the official list of allocated players for the 2018 NWSL season, which includes midfielders Lindsey Horan and Tobin Heath, forward Christine Sinclair and defender Emily Sonnett, who all will be participating as Federation Players with Portland Thorns FC for the 2018 season.
In addition, Portland retains the rights to defender Meghan Klingenberg as she is no longer an allocated player.
The 2018 season marks Heath’s sixth season with the club. Heath appeared in two matches during the 2017 regular season for Portland after returning from injury and also started both matches in the 2017 NWSL playoffs, tallying an the game-winning assist in Thorns FC’s semifinal match against the Orlando Pride on Oct. 7.
Horan returns to Portland for her third season with the club in 2018. In 2017, Horan was an NWSL Second XI selection, starting and playing in all 24 regular-season matches, tallying four goals and two assists. Additionally, Horan recorded a goal and an assist in two playoff games, including the game-winning goal in the 2017 NWSL Championship match against the North Carolina Courage on Oct. 14, earning her NWSL Championship game MVP honors.
The 2018 season will be Sinclair’s sixth season with Thorns FC. Sinclair started and played in all 24 matches for Portland during the 2017 regular season. The club’s 2017 Golden Boot winner, Sinclair tallied eight goals and became Portland’s all-time leading goal scorer (31 goals) with the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win against the Boston Breakers on Sept. 10. In addition, Sinclair started both NWSL playoff matches, recording her third career playoff goal in Portland’s semifinal match win against Orlando.
Sonnett will begin her third season with Thorns FC in 2018. During the 2017 season, Sonnett helped anchor a Portland defense that registered 11 shutouts, which allowed just 20 goals and posted a 0.83 goals-against average. One of four players to start all 24 matches last season, Sonnett scored three goals and added one assist. In the NWSL playoffs, Sonnett scored the game-winning goal in Portland’s semifinal match against Orlando and notched the game-winning assist in the NWSL Championship match.
