The Portland Thorns FC is an American professional women's
soccer
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...
team based in
Portland
Portland most commonly refers to:
* Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States
* Portland, Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine, in the New England region of the northeas ...
,
Oregon
Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...
. Established in 2012, the team began play in 2013 in the then-eight-team
National Women's Soccer League
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league at the top of the United States league system. It is owned by the teams and, until 2020, was under a management contract with the United States Soccer Federatio ...
(NWSL), which receives support from the
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), commonly referred to as U.S. Soccer, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, the federation is ...
(USSF).
The Portland franchise is owned by Peregrine Sports LLC, which also owns the
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers are an American professional men's soccer club based in Portland, Oregon. The Timbers compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The Timbers have played their home games at P ...
. Alongside the Thorns, the
Houston Dash
The Houston Dash is a professional women's soccer team based in Houston, Texas. It joined the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the 2014 season, and is affiliated with the MLS team Houston Dynamo FC.
History Establishment
On November ...
and
Orlando Pride
The Orlando Pride is a professional women's soccer team based in Orlando, Florida. The team joined the National Women's Soccer League, the top level of women's soccer in the US, for the 2016 season. It became the tenth team to be added to the l ...
are other NWSL teams with
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport's highest level in the United States. The league comprises 29 teams—26 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada ...
affiliations.
In its
inaugural season, the Portland Thorns FC placed third during the regular season and, in the playoffs, won the first NWSL championship. The club won the
NWSL Shield
The NWSL Shield is an annual award given to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team with the best regular season record as determined by the NWSL points system. The NWSL Shield has been awarded annually since 2013 and is recognized as a ...
in 2016 and a second NWSL Championship in 2017.
In 2020, they won the
Community Shield with the best record in the
pandemic
A pandemic () is an epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents or worldwide, affecting a substantial number of individuals. A widespread endemic (epidemiology), endemic disease wi ...
-shortened regular season. In
2021
File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...
, the Thorns won the
NWSL Challenge Cup
The NWSL Challenge Cup, currently known as the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons, is an annual tournament organized by the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top-tier women's league in the United States soccer league system. Th ...
, the
Women's International Champions Cup
The Women's International Champions Cup (WICC) is an annual club Women's association football, women's soccer invitational tournament in the United States. Launched by Relevent Sports Group in 2018, it features four American and European women's ...
, and the NWSL Shield.
They followed up in 2022 by winning the NWSL championship.
The Thorns have had the highest average attendance in the league in each of their first seven seasons, and set a league attendance record of 25,218 at an August 11, 2019, match against the North Carolina Courage.
History
The first professional women's soccer team in Portland was started by the Portland Timbers in 2001, competing alongside teams formed by the
Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders Football Club is an American professional men's association football, soccer club based in Seattle. The Sounders compete as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The club w ...
and
Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Vancouver. They compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The MLS iteration of the club was established on March ...
in the
USL W-League
The USL Championship (USLC) is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011. The USL is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) as a Division II league since 2017, pl ...
's W-1 division. In Portland the team was christened the
Portland Rain
Portland Rain was an American women's soccer team based in Portland, Oregon. The team is a member of the Women's Premier Soccer League, the third tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team plays in the North Division of the ...
and played the 2000 season in the
Pacific Coast Soccer League
The Pacific Coast Soccer League is an amateur soccer league, currently featuring teams from British Columbia. In the past clubs from Washington and Oregon have competed.
PCSL is considered to be British Columbia's premier summer league. The ...
(PCSL). The team played the 2001 season in the W-League before returning to the PCSL until 2003 when the team folded. Women's soccer was also well-supported via the
University of Portland Pilots.
The Portland Rain were re-founded in 2009 when they joined the
Women's Premier Soccer League
The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is an amateur women's soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is the top amateur league for women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, below only National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). T ...
(WPSL). On May 2, 2012 the Portland Timbers partnered with the Portland Rain and the Oregon Youth Soccer Association's (OYSA) Girls Olympic Development (ODP) program. This precursor to the NWSL announcement the following November was to facilitate an integrated development structure for Oregon's girls youth soccer to elite women's competition. After the start of the NWSL, in the 2013 WPSL the Portland Rain's spot was replaced by a Timbers Alliance club Westside Timbers and Tualatin Hills United Soccer Club (THUSC) Diamonds. These two teams join the Oregon Rush (2011), now Bend FC Timbers, and Eugene Metro Futbol Club (EMFC in 2012) so Oregon has a total of four WPSL teams at this level of the
American soccer pyramid
The United States soccer league system is a series of professional and amateur soccer leagues based, in whole or in part, in the United States. Sometimes called the American soccer pyramid, teams and leagues are not linked by the system of prom ...
.
NWSL formation
The formation of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) was announced on November 21, 2012, with Portland selected as a host for one of the eight teams.
At that time it was announced by Portland Timbers' owner
Merritt Paulson
Henry Merritt Paulson III (born 1972/1973) is an American businessman who is the minority owner of Peregrine Sports, LLC, which owns the operating rights to the Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team, and the Portland Thorns FC, a N ...
that the Timbers would own the team.
The team name was announced on December 13, 2012 as the Portland Thorns FC. Also, a logo was unveiled.
Both the name and logo were intended to invoke Portland's nickname of the
Rose City.
Cindy Parlow Cone
Cynthia Marie Parlow Cone (; born May 8, 1978) is an American soccer executive and president of the United States Soccer Federation. A former professional soccer player, she is a two-time Olympic Gold medalist and 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup ch ...
was announced as the first head coach on December 19, 2012. On January 11, 2013, the league held its player allocation for the national team players, with Portland receiving seven players, including former
University of Portland Pilots star
Christine Sinclair
Christine Margaret Sinclair (born June 12, 1983) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward and captains both National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Portland Thorns FC and the Canadian national team. An Olympic go ...
.
The other players assigned to the Thorns were
Rachel Buehler
Rachel Marie Buehler Van Hollebeke ( ; ; born August 26, 1985) is an American former soccer player who last played as a defender for the Portland Thorns FC and the United States women's national soccer team. In 2015, Van Hollebeke retired from ...
,
Tobin Heath
Tobin Powell Heath (born May 29, 1988) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for OL Reign of the NWSL, as well as the United States national team. Heath has been described as "perhaps the USA's most skillful player" ...
,
Karina LeBlanc
Karina Chenelle LeBlanc (born March 30, 1980) is an American-born Canadian former professional soccer goalkeeper and current general manager of the Portland Thorns FC. She played for the Canadian national team and multiple professional women's ...
,
Alex Morgan
Alexandra Morgan Carrasco (born Alexandra Patricia Morgan; July 2, 1989) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a striker and captains for San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the highest division of ...
,
Marlene Sandoval
Rubí Marlene Sandoval Nungaray (born January 18, 1984) is an American-born Mexican former Association football, football Defender (association football), defender and member of the Mexico women's national football team. She was allocated to the ...
, and
Luz Saucedo.
"We are thrilled with today's allocation, and I see this group of seven players as a terrific foundation for this club," said Parlow Cone.
Seattle Reign FC
OL Reign is an American professional women's soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded by Bill and Teresa Predmore in 2012 as Seattle Reign FC, it was one of eight inaugural members of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). In 2020, ...
general manager Amy Carnell reaction to the NWSL allocation and Morgan's placement was, "I think generally speaking, I could speak for all the clubs when I say I'm extremely surprised they would place (Christine) Sinclair and (Alex) Morgan in the same city. Two of the best strikers in the world in the same city."
Carnell said Seattle Reign FC "were a little surprised" they didn't get Morgan, considering that she had spent the previous spring with the Seattle Sounders Women.
This reunited Sinclair and Morgan as club mates since winning the regular season and championship title with the Western New York Flash in
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) was the top-level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded six teams for the 2011 sea ...
's final season.
2013 season
Under head coach
Cindy Parlow Cone
Cynthia Marie Parlow Cone (; born May 8, 1978) is an American soccer executive and president of the United States Soccer Federation. A former professional soccer player, she is a two-time Olympic Gold medalist and 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup ch ...
, the Thorns played in the new league's inaugural game on April 13, 2013 against host team
FC Kansas City
FC Kansas City was an American professional women's soccer club based in Kansas City, Missouri. The team was one of the eight founding clubs of the National Women's Soccer League in 2012, and began play in 2013. They were two-time NWSL champions ...
, which ended in a 1–1 draw in which
Christine Sinclair
Christine Margaret Sinclair (born June 12, 1983) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward and captains both National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Portland Thorns FC and the Canadian national team. An Olympic go ...
scored the club's first goal on a penalty kick. The team's first home match on April 21 provided the club its first victory, a 2–1 win over
Seattle Reign FC
OL Reign is an American professional women's soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded by Bill and Teresa Predmore in 2012 as Seattle Reign FC, it was one of eight inaugural members of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). In 2020, ...
. Beyond setting a new league record, the opening day crowd of 16,479 at Jeld-Wen Field eclipsed any single-game attendance from
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) was the top-level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded six teams for the 2011 sea ...
. Subsequently, the team's regular-season home finale of 17,619 topped the previous mark of 16,479 and also ranks among the top single-game marks in women's professional soccer history in the United States.
On the road, Thorns FC also were an attendance draw. Portland's road games were witnessed by season-high attendance figures or sellout crowds, including a record-setting crowd at the
Maryland SoccerPlex
The Maryland SoccerPlex is a sports complex in Germantown, Maryland, although its mailing address is Boyds, Maryland. The facility, completed in 2000 and operated by the Maryland Soccer Foundation (MSF), has 21 natural grass fields, 3 artificial ...
against the
Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is an American professional soccer club based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that participates in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). It is a continuation of the D.C. United Women of the W-League and cont ...
on May 4. A total of 5,011 fans were present, besting the previous record for a women's game at the Soccerplex by more than 300 and about 500 more than normal capacity.
On August 28, 2013, NWSL announced Thorns FC forwards Christine Sinclair, Alex Morgan and defender Rachel Buehler were named to the National Women's Soccer League Best XI Second Team. The club finished in a three-way tie atop the league in the regular season standings, but by virtue of goal differential tiebreaker the club claimed the No. 3 seed in the NWSL playoffs. In the first round of playoffs on August 24, the Thorns beat FC Kansas City 3–2 in extra time. A week later they beat the Western New York Flash 2–0 in the championship game to become the first NWSL Champions.
After the end of the season, Cindy Parlow Cone resigned as head coach on December 5, 2013. She cited personal reasons, particularly the desire of her and her husband,
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers are an American professional men's soccer club based in Portland, Oregon. The Timbers compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The Timbers have played their home games at P ...
director of sports science John Cone (who also resigned around the same time), to be together more.
2014 season
The Thorns kicked off their 2014 season with the announcement of a new head coach,
Paul Riley, formerly of the
Long Island Fury
Long Island Fury is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2005. The team is a member of the Women's Premier Soccer League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. The team plays in the Mid-Atlantic Division of ...
of the
Women's Premier Soccer League
The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is an amateur women's soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is the top amateur league for women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, below only National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). T ...
. Goalkeeper
Karina LeBlanc
Karina Chenelle LeBlanc (born March 30, 1980) is an American-born Canadian former professional soccer goalkeeper and current general manager of the Portland Thorns FC. She played for the Canadian national team and multiple professional women's ...
was traded to the
Chicago Red Stars
The Chicago Red Stars are a professional women's soccer club based in Bridgeview, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. A founding member of the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league, they have played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) sin ...
and was replaced with 2013
FIFA World Player of the Year
The FIFA World Player of the Year was an association football award presented annually by the sport's governing body, FIFA, between 1991 and 2015 at the FIFA World Player Gala. Coaches and captains of international teams and media representativ ...
recipient
Nadine Angerer
Nadine Marejke Angerer (born 10 November 1978) is a German football coach and player who is the goalkeeping player-coach for Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Angerer has played for Frauen-Bundesliga clubs Bayern Mu ...
. A new NWSL attendance record of 19,123 was set at Providence Park on August 3 in a game between Portland and Houston, breaking the previous record of 17,619 set in the same stadium in 2013.
The Thorns finished
third in the regular season and were knocked out in the playoff semi-final by
FC Kansas City
FC Kansas City was an American professional women's soccer club based in Kansas City, Missouri. The team was one of the eight founding clubs of the National Women's Soccer League in 2012, and began play in 2013. They were two-time NWSL champions ...
.
2015 season
The Thorns made a number of roster moves in the offseason. In November 2014 the Thorns traded for defender
Kat Williamson and midfielder
McCall Zerboni
McCall RaNae Zerboni (born December 13, 1986) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for and captains NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Early life
Born in Camarillo, California, to parent ...
. Williamson appeared in 21 matches (20 starts) during the 2014 regular season for the Western New York Flash. Williamson was traded to the Flash on April 5 as part of a move that granted Portland the right to midfielder
Vero Boquete. The eighth overall pick by Portland in the first round of the 2013 National Women's Soccer League College (NWSL) Draft from the University of Florida, Williamson made her professional debut with Thorns FC in 2013 and ranked second on the team in minutes (1,944) during her rookie campaign.
As part of the National Team player allocation process, Portland received Canada Women's National Team midfielder
Kaylyn Kyle
Kaylyn McKenzie Kyle (born October 6, 1988) is a former Canadian soccer player who last played as a midfielder for the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League. She was also a member of Canada women's national soccer team, winning a ...
and defender
Rhian Wilkinson
Rhian Emilie Wilkinson (born May 12, 1982) is a Canadian professional soccer coach and former player. She was most recently the head coach of Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), where she led the team to the 2022 NW ...
.
Portland acquired defender
Kendall Johnson from Sky Blue FC in exchange for the 25th and 34th overall selections in the 2015 National Women's Soccer League College Draft. A native of Portland and former University of Portland standout, Johnson, 23, appeared in 15 matches (12 starts) for Sky Blue FC during the 2014 regular season, her second season with the team.
Portland acquired forward
Jodie Taylor
Jodie Lee Taylor (born 17 May 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for San Diego Wave of NWSL. She began her club career with local team Tranmere Rovers and had brief spells in her home country with Birmingham City, ...
from the Washington Spirit in exchange for a 2015 second-round pick (No. 13 overall) and two-second-round picks in 2016. A standout at Oregon State, Taylor, 28, was one of the top goal scorers in the NWSL in 2014. An England international, Taylor had earned three caps with the England Women's National Team, making her debut in an international friendly against Sweden in August 2014.
Defender
Nikki Marshall announced her retirement from professional soccer. Marshall retired after playing four professional seasons, including the last two with the Thorns. In her two seasons with the club, Marshall, 26, appeared in a club-record 46 consecutive regular-season matches, playing 3,943 minutes.
Portland signed international forward
Genoveva Añonma
''Genoveva'', Op. 81, is an opera in four acts by Robert Schumann in the genre of German Romanticism with a libretto by Robert Reinick and the composer. The only opera Schumann ever wrote, it received its first performance on 25 June 1850 at ...
. The Equatorial Guinea international was the 10th-ranked goal scorer all-time in Frauen-Bundesliga history and the 2012 African Women Footballer of the Year. Añonman, who goes by Ayo, had played professionally in Germany since 2009. Añonman had appeared in 122 matches in the German league, recording 95 goals during her time with FF USV Jena and 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam.
Portland signed midfielder
Sarah Robbins. Robbins appeared in 14 matches, recording three goals and seven assists, for Finnish club Åland United in 2014. The midfielder logged 1,189 minutes for the Naisten Liiga side, and competed in the qualifying round of the 2014–15 UEFA Women's Champions League.
The Thorns finished the 2015 season with 23 points from 20 games and did not reach the playoffs, the first (and to date only) season in which they have failed to do this. At the end of the season, head coach
Paul Riley was fired from the position. On September 30, 2021, news reports came out that Riley was relieved from his duties for sexual harassment allegations.
On June 19, 2015, the Thorns made NWSL history when goalkeeper
Michelle Betos
Michelle Jenny Betos (born February 20, 1988) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Betos previously played for Vålerenga, Apollon Limassol, Po ...
headed the equalizing goal for 10-woman Portland in the 95th minute against
FC Kansas City
FC Kansas City was an American professional women's soccer club based in Kansas City, Missouri. The team was one of the eight founding clubs of the National Women's Soccer League in 2012, and began play in 2013. They were two-time NWSL champions ...
. This was the first goal scored by a goalkeeper in the league.
On October 5, former Washington Spirit head coach
Mark Parsons
Mark Richard David Parsons (born 8 August 1986) is an English football manager who is currently the head coach of American club Washington Spirit. He had previously managed the Netherlands women's national team and the Portland Thorns FC.
Pa ...
took over as head coach for 2016.
2016 season
In Parsons's first season in charge, the Thorns acquired several players including French defensive midfielder
Amandine Henry
Amandine Chantal Henry (born 28 September 1989) is a French professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Division 1 Féminine club Lyon and the France national team. Having played in all youth levels, Henry made her senior in ...
and Danish striker
Nadia Nadim
Nadia Nadim ( ps, نادیه ندیم; born 2 January 1988) is a professional footballer and physician who plays as a striker for NWSL club Racing Louisville FC. Born in Afghanistan, she represents the Denmark national team at international le ...
. They placed first in the regular season with 41 points, winning the
NWSL Shield
The NWSL Shield is an annual award given to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team with the best regular season record as determined by the NWSL points system. The NWSL Shield has been awarded annually since 2013 and is recognized as a ...
. In a physical playoff semi-final, they tied
Western New York
Western New York (WNY) is the westernmost region of the U.S. state of New York. The eastern boundary of the region is not consistently defined by state agencies or those who call themselves "Western New Yorkers". Almost all sources agree WNY in ...
2–2 during regulation, fell behind 4–2 in overtime, and could score only one more goal to end their season with
a 4–3 loss.
2017 season
After a 14–5–5 league record for 47 points and a second-place finish, the Thorns defeated the
Orlando Pride
The Orlando Pride is a professional women's soccer team based in Orlando, Florida. The team joined the National Women's Soccer League, the top level of women's soccer in the US, for the 2016 season. It became the tenth team to be added to the l ...
4–1 in a playoff semi-final. In the championship match, Portland faced the
NWSL Shield
The NWSL Shield is an annual award given to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team with the best regular season record as determined by the NWSL points system. The NWSL Shield has been awarded annually since 2013 and is recognized as a ...
-winning
North Carolina Courage
The North Carolina Courage is a professional women's soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. It was founded on January 9, 2017, after Stephen Malik acquired National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise rights from the Western New York F ...
, successor to the Western New York Flash team that had beaten them in the final the year before. Portland defeated the Courage at
Orlando City Stadium
Exploria Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium in downtown Orlando, Florida. The stadium is located along West Church Street in the Parramore neighborhood west of Downtown Orlando. It is the home of Orlando City SC, which entered Major League So ...
in a physical 1–0 match to win their second NWSL championship.
Following the victory, the team held a victory rally in their home stadium.
2018 season
The Thorns announced that midfielder
Amandine Henry
Amandine Chantal Henry (born 28 September 1989) is a French professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Division 1 Féminine club Lyon and the France national team. Having played in all youth levels, Henry made her senior in ...
and forward
Nadia Nadim
Nadia Nadim ( ps, نادیه ندیم; born 2 January 1988) is a professional footballer and physician who plays as a striker for NWSL club Racing Louisville FC. Born in Afghanistan, she represents the Denmark national team at international le ...
would not be returning to the team for the 2018 season. The moves were made for financial reasons, as the NWSL has a strict salary cap of $315,000 for each team and the Thorns could not compete with offers made by Lyon and Manchester City. On January 11, 2018, the team announced a trade that would send midfielder
Allie Long
Alexandra Linsley Long (born August 13, 1987) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League and the United States national team. She made her debut for the national team on May ...
to the
Seattle Reign
OL Reign is an American professional Women's association football, women's soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded by Bill and Teresa Predmore in 2012 as Seattle Reign FC, it was one of eight inaugural members of the National Women's S ...
. Long had been with the team since its inaugural season, and was one of the first players to reach 100 NWSL appearances with one club. With Long's departure,
Tobin Heath
Tobin Powell Heath (born May 29, 1988) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for OL Reign of the NWSL, as well as the United States national team. Heath has been described as "perhaps the USA's most skillful player" ...
and
Christine Sinclair
Christine Margaret Sinclair (born June 12, 1983) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward and captains both National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Portland Thorns FC and the Canadian national team. An Olympic go ...
would be the only remaining players from the first Thorns season. The Thorns would finish with a regular season record of 12–6–6 and match their second-place finish from the previous season. The team would defeat the Seattle Reign 2–1 in the Semi-final round and would face the shield-winning
North Carolina Courage
The North Carolina Courage is a professional women's soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. It was founded on January 9, 2017, after Stephen Malik acquired National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise rights from the Western New York F ...
in a rematch of the previous seasons final. The Thorns would lose a lopsided 3–0 to the Courage, who became the first team to win the
NWSL Shield
The NWSL Shield is an annual award given to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team with the best regular season record as determined by the NWSL points system. The NWSL Shield has been awarded annually since 2013 and is recognized as a ...
and the
NWSL Playoffs
The National Women's Soccer League Playoffs (or NWSL Playoffs) are a single elimination tournament among six teams in the National Women's Soccer League of the United States, deciding the winner of the NWSL Championship.
Since playoff games cann ...
in the same season.
2019 season
Prior to the start of the season, it was announced that the Thorns would play their first six games on the road due to ongoing renovation at
Providence Park
Providence Park (formerly Jeld-Wen Field; PGE Park; Civic Stadium; originally Multnomah Stadium; and from 1893 until the stadium was built, Multnomah Field) is an outdoor soccer venue located in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. ...
. The Thorns would start the season strong, losing only one of their first six games before going on a run that would see them lose once in a nine-game stretch that spanned June and July. This run included the return of several key players who had missed time for the
FIFA Women's World Cup
The FIFA Women's World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association ( FIFA), the sport's international governing bo ...
, including
Lindsey Horan
Lindsey Michelle Horan (born May 26, 1994) is an American professional soccer player for Olympique Lyonnais Féminin on loan from Portland Thorns FC. She previously played for the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), t ...
, the reigning
NWSL MVP, and team captain
Christine Sinclair
Christine Margaret Sinclair (born June 12, 1983) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward and captains both National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Portland Thorns FC and the Canadian national team. An Olympic go ...
. The Thorns fine form was encapsulated by a 5–0 rout of the Houston Dash on July 24. Beginning the month of September at the top of the table and contenders for the
NWSL Shield
The NWSL Shield is an annual award given to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team with the best regular season record as determined by the NWSL points system. The NWSL Shield has been awarded annually since 2013 and is recognized as a ...
, the team entered what would be the worst run of form since Mark Parsons was named head coach. Portland would lose three of their final five games, including an embarrassing 6–0 loss to the
North Carolina Courage
The North Carolina Courage is a professional women's soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. It was founded on January 9, 2017, after Stephen Malik acquired National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise rights from the Western New York F ...
which would end up as the most lopsided loss in team history. After finishing the season with a scoreless draw against the
Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is an American professional soccer club based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that participates in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). It is a continuation of the D.C. United Women of the W-League and cont ...
, the Thorns finished third in the league, meaning they would not host a playoff game for the first time since
2015
File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the Apri ...
. The Thorns would be knocked out of the playoffs after a 1–0 defeat to the
Chicago Red Stars
The Chicago Red Stars are a professional women's soccer club based in Bridgeview, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. A founding member of the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league, they have played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) sin ...
.
2020 season
Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
, on March 12, 2020 the Thorns canceled their preseason tournament, scheduled for March 29-April 4. On March 20, 2020, the NWSL postponed the start of the league's regular season indefinitely. The Thorns participated in the inaugural
NWSL Challenge Cup
The NWSL Challenge Cup, currently known as the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons, is an annual tournament organized by the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top-tier women's league in the United States soccer league system. Th ...
, defeating the
North Carolina Courage
The North Carolina Courage is a professional women's soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. It was founded on January 9, 2017, after Stephen Malik acquired National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise rights from the Western New York F ...
in the quarterfinals but losing to the eventual champions
Houston Dash
The Houston Dash is a professional women's soccer team based in Houston, Texas. It joined the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the 2014 season, and is affiliated with the MLS team Houston Dynamo FC.
History Establishment
On November ...
in the semifinals. The Thorns also participated in and clinched the
2020 NWSL Fall Series Community Shield with a win on October 11, 2020, over
OL Reign
OL Reign is an American professional Women's association football, women's soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded by Bill and Teresa Predmore in 2012 as Seattle Reign FC, it was one of eight inaugural members of the National Women's S ...
.
2021 season
Abuse scandal
In late-September, ''
The Athletic
''The Athletic'' is a subscription-based sports website that provides national and local coverage in 47 North American cities as well as the United Kingdom. ''The Athletic'' also covers national stories from top professional and college sports ...
'' published an investigation into
North Carolina Courage
The North Carolina Courage is a professional women's soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. It was founded on January 9, 2017, after Stephen Malik acquired National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise rights from the Western New York F ...
head coach
Paul Riley, alleging that Riley had sexually coerced and verbally abused players on his teams, including during his two-year tenure as Thorns head coach in 2014 and 2015. More than a dozen players from every team Riley had coached since 2010 spoke to the publication and two named players, both former Thorns, went on the record with allegations against him. In the article, Riley denied the allegations. The article also stated that NWSL failed to act on Riley's alleged abuses multiple times, including earlier in 2021 when the league declined to act on an offer from two of Riley's alleged victims to assist in investigating Riley's alleged abuses. Later that day, the Courage announced that Riley had been fired due to "very serious allegations of misconduct". The Thorns front office released a statement the same day citing that some of the incidents occurred during Riley's two-year tenure as head coach of the Thorns and discussing their reaction to the incidents at the time.
The subsequent fallout resulted in the resignation of league commissioner
Lisa Baird Lisa or LISA may refer to:
People
People with the mononym
* Lisa Lisa (born 1967), American actress and lead singer of the Cult Jam
* Lisa (Japanese musician, born 1974), stylized "LISA", Japanese singer and producer
* Lisa Komine (born 1978), J ...
and dismissal of league counsel
Lisa Levine. A number of Portland Thorns players also released a statement calling for Thorns general manager
Gavin Wilkinson
Gavin Wilkinson (born 5 November 1973) is a former New Zealand footballer who served as general manager and President of Soccer for the Portland Timbers from 2009 to 2022.
Prior to this position, Wilkinson was manager of Portland Timbers in th ...
to be suspended. Wilkinson was subsequently put on administrative leave from the Thorns, but remained manager of the MLS
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers are an American professional men's soccer club based in Portland, Oregon. The Timbers compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The Timbers have played their home games at P ...
. Wilkinson was reinstated in January 2022 following an internal business review, however, due to ongoing league,
union
Union commonly refers to:
* Trade union, an organization of workers
* Union (set theory), in mathematics, a fundamental operation on sets
Union may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment
Music
* Union (band), an American rock group
** ''Un ...
, and
federation
A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government (federalism). In a federation, the self-governin ...
investigations, no players could be interviewed, and the players association disavowed any connection between the internal review and other investigations.
The
US Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), commonly referred to as U.S. Soccer, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, the federation is ...
commissioned a league-wide independent investigation into abusive behavior lead by
Sally Yates
Sally Quillian Yates (born Sally Caroline Quillian; August 20, 1960) is an American lawyer. From 2010 to 2015, she was United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. In 2015, she was appointed United States Deputy Attorney General b ...
. The report, published on October 3, 2022, indicates that the club "interfered with our access to relevant witnesses and raised specious legal arguments in an attempt to impede our use of relevant documents."
The report further details how both
Paulson and
Wilkinson Wilkinson may refer to:
People
* Wilkinson (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name)
Places in the United States
* Wilkinson, Illinois
* Wilkinson, Indiana, a town in Hancock County
* Wilkinson, Minnesota
* Wilkinson, Mis ...
advised other clubs to hire Riley after his departure from the Thorns. According to the report, Wilkinson "told the
Flash
Flash, flashes, or FLASH may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
Fictional aliases
* Flash (DC Comics character), several DC Comics superheroes with super speed:
** Flash (Barry Allen)
** Flash (Jay Garrick)
** Wally West, the first Kid ...
that Riley was 'put in a bad position by the player,' and that Wilkinson would 'hire
ileyin a heartbeat.'"
Paulson congratulated the Flash on hiring Riley in an email to club's President, stating "congrats on the Riley hire. I have a lot of affection for him.”
When contacted by
NC Courage ownership about hiring Riley, Paulson downplayed the abuse of Portland Thorn's players saying it "basically was
case of‘poor judgment'" and described difficulty managing the roster as the reason for Riley's departure from Portland.
Competitions
The Thorns competed in and won the West Division of the
2021 NWSL Challenge Cup
The 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup was a league cup tournament that took place during the 2021 National Women's Soccer League season. It began on April 9 and ended May 8, one week before the start of the regular season. It was the second iteration of th ...
, advancing from the group stage to host the finals on May 8, 2021, against
NJ/NY Gotham FC
NJ/NY Gotham FC is a professional women's soccer team based in Harrison, New Jersey. Founded in 2006 as Jersey Sky Blue, the team was known as Sky Blue FC from 2008 until 2020. A founding member of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2013 ...
. After drawing the finals in regulation 1–1, the Thorns defeated Gotham in penalties 6–5 to claim the cup.
Morgan Weaver
Morgan Victoria Weaver (born October 18, 1997) is an American soccer player who plays as a forward for Portland Thorns FC.
College career
Weaver played college soccer at Washington State from 2016 to 2019. She scored her first collegiate goals ...
scored the match-winning penalty.
The Thorns qualified for the
2021 Women's International Champions Cup
The 2021 International Champions Cup Women's Tournament was a friendly tournament of women's association football matches. It was the third edition of the Women's International Champions Cup and took place in Portland, Oregon, United States, fr ...
as champions of the 2020 Fall Series, and won the tournament by defeating three-time finalists and defending champions
Olympique Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais (), commonly referred to as simply Lyon () or OL, is a men and women's French professional football club based in Lyon in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The men play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. Founded in 1950, ...
1–0. Morgan Weaver scored the match-winning goal in regulation. Portland also hosted the friendly tournament.
The Thorns clinched their second
NWSL Shield
The NWSL Shield is an annual award given to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team with the best regular season record as determined by the NWSL points system. The NWSL Shield has been awarded annually since 2013 and is recognized as a ...
on October 17, earning a first-round bye to the 2021 NWSL playoffs, but lost in the semi-finals to the
Chicago Red Stars
The Chicago Red Stars are a professional women's soccer club based in Bridgeview, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. A founding member of the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league, they have played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) sin ...
.
Head coach
Mark Parsons
Mark Richard David Parsons (born 8 August 1986) is an English football manager who is currently the head coach of American club Washington Spirit. He had previously managed the Netherlands women's national team and the Portland Thorns FC.
Pa ...
, who had served since 2016, left the team after the 2021 season to lead the
Netherlands women's national football team
The Netherlands women's national football team ( nl, Nederlands vrouwenvoetbalelftal) is directed by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), which is a member of UEFA and FIFA.
In 1971, the team played the first women's international foo ...
. His hiring had been announced during the season in May.
2022 season
The Thorns hired retired former club goalkeeper and
Canadian international Karina LeBlanc
Karina Chenelle LeBlanc (born March 30, 1980) is an American-born Canadian former professional soccer goalkeeper and current general manager of the Portland Thorns FC. She played for the Canadian national team and multiple professional women's ...
as Gavin Wilkinson's replacement in the Thorns general manager role on November 2, 2021.
Following Mark Parsons's exit, the Thorns hired one of the club's former players from Paul Riley's tenure,
Rhian Wilkinson
Rhian Emilie Wilkinson (born May 12, 1982) is a Canadian professional soccer coach and former player. She was most recently the head coach of Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), where she led the team to the 2022 NW ...
, as his replacement. Wilkinson had also played on the Canadian national team as a teammate of LeBlanc and longtime Thorns FC and Canadian team captain
Christine Sinclair
Christine Margaret Sinclair (born June 12, 1983) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward and captains both National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Portland Thorns FC and the Canadian national team. An Olympic go ...
. After her playing career, Wilkinson had been an assistant coach for the Canadian and
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
national teams.
The defending Challenge Cup champion Thorns failed to advance from the group stage of the
2022 NWSL Challenge Cup
The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup was a league cup competition that took place during the 2022 National Women's Soccer League season. It was the third iteration of the NWSL Challenge Cup tournament.
Format
The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup was a multi-sta ...
's West Division, finishing second to group winners
OL Reign
OL Reign is an American professional Women's association football, women's soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded by Bill and Teresa Predmore in 2012 as Seattle Reign FC, it was one of eight inaugural members of the National Women's S ...
.
On December 1, 2022, Merritt Paulson announced that he was selling the team.
The next day, Rhian Wilkinson resigned as coach, after reports that she may have become romantically involved with a player.
Colors and crest
The team's colors were announced as red, green, and black.
The team crest was designed by artist and
Timbers Army
The Timbers Army is an independent supporters group of Portland Timbers, a soccer club in Major League Soccer—the top tier of the United States soccer pyramid. Its members are known for their loud, enthusiastic support and the raucous atmosp ...
member Brent Diskin. Its design features the team colors of red and white "with a protective wreath of thorns surrounding a familiar, stylized rose in the center." The design also includes a pair of four-pointed stars, or hypocycloids, that house the letters "F" and "C" and anchor the sides of the badge, and resemble the star prominent on
Portland's official city flag. The team's home kit is
rose red with a white stripe, while the road kit is white.
The club unveiled their home and away kits on April 9, 2013.
Both uniforms feature sponsorships by
Providence Health & Services
Providence Health & Services (since 2016: Providence St. Joseph Health) is a not-for-profit, Catholic health care system operating multiple hospitals across seven states, with headquarters in Renton, Washington. The health system includes 51 ho ...
and Parklane Mattresses, and are made by
Nike
Nike often refers to:
* Nike (mythology), a Greek goddess who personifies victory
* Nike, Inc., a major American producer of athletic shoes, apparel, and sports equipment
Nike may also refer to:
People
* Nike (name), a surname and feminine given ...
.
Records
Year-by-year
DNQ = Did not qualify
Player statistics
Note: Bold indicates a player still active with the team.
Matches
Goals
Assists
Stadium
The Portland Thorns play at
Providence Park
Providence Park (formerly Jeld-Wen Field; PGE Park; Civic Stadium; originally Multnomah Stadium; and from 1893 until the stadium was built, Multnomah Field) is an outdoor soccer venue located in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. ...
located in the
Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland, Oregon.
Providence Park was the third-largest stadium in the NWSL, after the
Boston Breakers' Harvard Stadium and the 2014 expansion
Houston Dash
The Houston Dash is a professional women's soccer team based in Houston, Texas. It joined the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the 2014 season, and is affiliated with the MLS team Houston Dynamo FC.
History Establishment
On November ...
's BBVA Compass Stadium. However, the Dash closed sections to seat only 7,000 spectators per game in 2014, and in 2015, the Breakers moved to the smaller
Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium
Jordan Field (formerly called Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium) is a multi-purpose stadium on the campus of Harvard University in the Allston neighborhood of Boston. (Although the core of the Harvard campus is in Cambridge, the athletic complex lie ...
(now named Jordan Field). This made the 21,144-capacity Providence Park the largest stadium by NWSL-specific capacity until the opening of 25,500-capacity
Orlando City Stadium
Exploria Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium in downtown Orlando, Florida. The stadium is located along West Church Street in the Parramore neighborhood west of Downtown Orlando. It is the home of Orlando City SC, which entered Major League So ...
in 2017. Providence Park was enlarged to a capacity of 25,218 in 2019. The Thorns also share the stadium with the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer.
Players
Squad
Out on loan
Former players
''For details of former players, see
:Portland Thorns FC players and
List of Portland Thorns FC players
Portland Thorns FC is an American soccer club which began play in the National Women's Soccer League in its inaugural season in 2013.
All rostered players during the NWSL season, including the playoffs, Challenge Cup, and Fall Series, are inclu ...
.''
Head coaches
Broadcasting
As of April 2017, Thorns games are streamed exclusively by
Go90
go90 was an American Internet television service and mobile app owned and operated by Verizon Communications. The service was positioned as a mobile-oriented "social entertainment platform" targeted primarily towards millennials, featuring a mi ...
for American audiences and via the NWSL website for international viewers.
For the 2017 season, the Thorns were featured in six nationally televised Lifetime ''NWSL Game of the Week'' broadcasts on April 15, April 29, July 15, August 5, August 26, and September 30, 2017.
During the 2013 season, games were streamed online and broadcast on the radio on Freedom 970 AM. Long-time Portland-area sports reporter and broadcaster
Ann Schatz
Ann Schatz is a sports broadcaster who works for CBS Sports Network, ESPN, Pac-12 Network, Westwood One, and the Portland Thorns FC.
Early life
Schatz was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, as one of six siblings. Schatz attended Creighton Uni ...
was announced as the play-by-play broadcaster, while Angela Harrison, an All-American goalkeeper with the
Portland Pilots
The Portland Pilots is the nickname for athletics at the University of Portland. The Pilots compete in the West Coast Conference (WCC) at the NCAA Division I level.
History
The Pilots started to gain attention when Clive Charles began coach ...
, was the color analyst. In 2014, Schatz returned, with former Thorns defender
Marian Dougherty, who retired after the
2013 season, joining for color commentary.
In 2021, the team struck a multi-year deal with
KPTV
KPTV (channel 12) is a television station in Portland, Oregon, United States. affiliated with the Fox network. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Vancouver, Washington–licensed MyNetworkTV affiliate KPDX (channel 49). Both stations s ...
and
KPDX
KPDX (channel 49) is a television station licensed to Vancouver, Washington, United States, serving the Portland, Oregon area as an affiliate of MyNetworkTV. It is the only major commercial station in Portland that is licensed to the Washingto ...
to be its local broadcast partner.
Award Winners
Most Valuable Player
*
Sophia Smith: 2022
*
Lindsey Horan
Lindsey Michelle Horan (born May 26, 1994) is an American professional soccer player for Olympique Lyonnais Féminin on loan from Portland Thorns FC. She previously played for the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), t ...
:
2018
File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...
Goalkeeper of the Year
*
Adrianna Franch:
2017
File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...
,
2018
File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...
*
Michelle Betos
Michelle Jenny Betos (born February 20, 1988) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Betos previously played for Vålerenga, Apollon Limassol, Po ...
:
2015
File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the Apri ...
Coach of the Year
*
Mark Parsons
Mark Richard David Parsons (born 8 August 1986) is an English football manager who is currently the head coach of American club Washington Spirit. He had previously managed the Netherlands women's national team and the Portland Thorns FC.
Pa ...
:
2016
File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...
Best XI First Team
*
Sophia Smith:
2022
File:2022 collage V1.png, Clockwise, from top left: Road junction at Yamato-Saidaiji Station several hours after the assassination of Shinzo Abe; 2022 Sri Lankan protests, Anti-government protest in Sri Lanka in front of the Presidential Secretari ...
*
Sam Coffey:
2022
File:2022 collage V1.png, Clockwise, from top left: Road junction at Yamato-Saidaiji Station several hours after the assassination of Shinzo Abe; 2022 Sri Lankan protests, Anti-government protest in Sri Lanka in front of the Presidential Secretari ...
*
Angela Salem
Angela Marguerite Salem (born July 24, 1988) is an American soccer coach and former professional player who played as a midfielder. She is currently an assistant coach for the Washington Spirit of the NWSL. In 2016–17, she played for the Bost ...
:
2021
File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...
*
Lindsey Horan
Lindsey Michelle Horan (born May 26, 1994) is an American professional soccer player for Olympique Lyonnais Féminin on loan from Portland Thorns FC. She previously played for the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), t ...
:
2018
File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...
,
2019
File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...
*
Emily Sonnett
Emily Ann Sonnett (born November 25, 1993) is an American association football, soccer player who plays as a Defender (association football), defender for OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) as well as the United States women's ...
:
2018
File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...
*
Adrianna Franch:
2017
File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...
,
2018
File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...
*
Tobin Heath
Tobin Powell Heath (born May 29, 1988) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for OL Reign of the NWSL, as well as the United States national team. Heath has been described as "perhaps the USA's most skillful player" ...
:
2016
File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...
,
2018
File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...
,
2019
File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...
*
Emily Menges
Emily Townsend Menges (born July 28, 1992) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for Portland Thorns FC, with whom she won the 2016 and 2021 NWSL Shield and also the 20 ...
:
2016
File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...
*
Michelle Betos
Michelle Jenny Betos (born February 20, 1988) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Betos previously played for Vålerenga, Apollon Limassol, Po ...
:
2015
File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the Apri ...
*
Allie Long
Alexandra Linsley Long (born August 13, 1987) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League and the United States national team. She made her debut for the national team on May ...
:
2015
File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the Apri ...
,
2016
File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...
*
Verónica Boquete
Verónica Boquete Giadans (born 9 April 1987) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward or midfielder for Italian Serie A club Fiorentina. As well as in her native Spain, she has played professionally for clubs in the United S ...
:
2014
File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...
Best XI Second Team
*
Kelli Hubly
Kelli Hubly (born August 9, 1994) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Portland Thorns FC. With the Thorns, Hubly won the 2017 NWSL Championship, the 2021 NWSL Shield ...
:
2022
File:2022 collage V1.png, Clockwise, from top left: Road junction at Yamato-Saidaiji Station several hours after the assassination of Shinzo Abe; 2022 Sri Lankan protests, Anti-government protest in Sri Lanka in front of the Presidential Secretari ...
*
Becky Sauerbrunn
Rebecca Elizabeth Sauerbrunn (born June 6, 1985) is an American professional soccer player for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the highest division of women's professional soccer in the United States. Since 2021 ...
:
2022
File:2022 collage V1.png, Clockwise, from top left: Road junction at Yamato-Saidaiji Station several hours after the assassination of Shinzo Abe; 2022 Sri Lankan protests, Anti-government protest in Sri Lanka in front of the Presidential Secretari ...
*
Bella Bixby
Annabella “Bella” Madeleine Bixby (; born November 20, 1995) is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Portland Thorns FC.
Early life
Bixby attended Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, Oregon.
Oregon State University
Bixby ...
:
2019
File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...
*
Emily Sonnett
Emily Ann Sonnett (born November 25, 1993) is an American association football, soccer player who plays as a Defender (association football), defender for OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) as well as the United States women's ...
:
2019
File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...
*
Lindsey Horan
Lindsey Michelle Horan (born May 26, 1994) is an American professional soccer player for Olympique Lyonnais Féminin on loan from Portland Thorns FC. She previously played for the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), t ...
:
2017
File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...
,
2021
File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...
*
Meghan Klingenberg
Meghan Elizabeth Klingenberg (born August 2, 1988) is an American soccer player who plays as a Defender (association football), defender for Portland Thorns FC, Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League, National Women's Soccer Leagu ...
:
2017
File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...
,
2021
File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...
*
Emily Menges
Emily Townsend Menges (born July 28, 1992) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for Portland Thorns FC, with whom she won the 2016 and 2021 NWSL Shield and also the 20 ...
:
2017
File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...
,
2018
File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...
,
2021
File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...
*
Stephanie Catley
Stephanie-Elise Catley (born 26 January 1994) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Arsenal and the Australia national team. She can play in many positions in defence, such as left-back, centre-back or sweeper ...
:
2013
File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...
*
Allie Long
Alexandra Linsley Long (born August 13, 1987) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League and the United States national team. She made her debut for the national team on May ...
:
2013
File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...
*
Jessica McDonald
Jessica Marie McDonald (born February 28, 1988) is an American professional soccer player for Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the highest division of women's professional soccer in the United States, and the ...
:
2013
File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...
*
Rachel Buehler
Rachel Marie Buehler Van Hollebeke ( ; ; born August 26, 1985) is an American former soccer player who last played as a defender for the Portland Thorns FC and the United States women's national soccer team. In 2015, Van Hollebeke retired from ...
:
2013
File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...
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Alex Morgan
Alexandra Morgan Carrasco (born Alexandra Patricia Morgan; July 2, 1989) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a striker and captains for San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the highest division of ...
:
2013
File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...
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Christine Sinclair
Christine Margaret Sinclair (born June 12, 1983) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward and captains both National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Portland Thorns FC and the Canadian national team. An Olympic go ...
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2013
File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...
,
2018
File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...
Honors
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NWSL Championship
The National Women's Soccer League Playoffs (or NWSL Playoffs) are a single elimination tournament among six teams in the National Women's Soccer League of the United States, deciding the winner of the NWSL Championship.
Since playoff games cann ...
** Winners (3):
2013
File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...
,
2017
File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...
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2022
File:2022 collage V1.png, Clockwise, from top left: Road junction at Yamato-Saidaiji Station several hours after the assassination of Shinzo Abe; 2022 Sri Lankan protests, Anti-government protest in Sri Lanka in front of the Presidential Secretari ...
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NWSL Shield
The NWSL Shield is an annual award given to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team with the best regular season record as determined by the NWSL points system. The NWSL Shield has been awarded annually since 2013 and is recognized as a ...
** Winners (2):
2016
File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...
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2021
File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...
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NWSL Challenge Cup
The NWSL Challenge Cup, currently known as the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons, is an annual tournament organized by the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top-tier women's league in the United States soccer league system. Th ...
** Winners (1):
2021
File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...
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NWSL Community Shield
The 2020 National Women's Soccer League season was the eighth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer
...
** Winners (1):
2020
2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, COVID- ...
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Women's International Champions Cup
The Women's International Champions Cup (WICC) is an annual club Women's association football, women's soccer invitational tournament in the United States. Launched by Relevent Sports Group in 2018, it features four American and European women's ...
** Winners (1):
2021
File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...
See also
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List of top-division football clubs in CONCACAF countries
This is a list of top-division association football clubs in CONCACAF countries. CONCACAF is the football confederation that oversees the sport in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, including the South American countries of Guyana ...
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References
External links
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{{US Women's soccer
2012 establishments in Oregon
Association football clubs established in 2012
National Women's Soccer League teams
Soccer clubs in Oregon
Portland Timbers
Thorns FC
Women's soccer clubs in the United States