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john rustik

Lindsey Horan
Portland ThornsPortland Thorns

Portland extends Sinclair, Says Goodbye to Horan (For Now)

by john rustik
written by john rustik

It’s been a busy week for the Thorns. Just on Thursday, Portland has announced the extension of Christine Sinclair as well as the (temporary) departure of Lindsey Horan. Here’s everything from those two moves.

Lindsey Horan to Leave the Thorns on Loan to French Side Olympique Lyonnais

Horan’s departure is one that will be brutal for fans. Her six years with the Thorns have been extraordinary. She scored the lone goal in their 2017 NWSL Championship victory over the North Carolina Courage. Throughout her career, she was named the NWSL MVP (2018), NWSL Best XI (2018, 2019) and MLS Best XI Second Team (2017, 2021).

She leaves for Olympique Lyonnais after scoring 25 goals for the Thorns, and adding nine assists.

Her move to France will be the second time Horan plays in the Division 1 Féminine. Before joining the Thorns, she played four seasons with Paris Saint-Germain.

“Firstly, I want to thank the Portland organization for supporting me in following a few of my career aspirations, this would not be possible without the club and for that I am forever grateful!” Horan said on Twitter. “I wish the team and my teammates nothing but the best this season!”

Horan’s impact reached further than just Portland. For the United States, she has made 108 caps. Within those 108 appearances, comes 25 goals and 34 assists. Most recently, she was voted as the 2021 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.

Though she will be with Olympique Lyonnais until June of 2023, she did sign a contract extension with the Thorns through 2025. While she is gone for now, there will be a party in Portland when she returns.

Christine Sinclair Extended

The good news came when Thorns legend Christine Sinclair reached an agreement with the club to keep her in the Rose City through 2022. There is an option for the 2023 season.

This was good news that many hoped for. Sinclair’s legacy in Portland speaks for itself. The Canadian forward leads the Thorns in all-time games played (143), games started (140), minutes played (12,404) and goals (54). Throughout her nine previous seasons with the club, she has helped the Thorns earn plenty of hardware. This includes two NWSL Championships (2013, 2017), the NWSL Fall Series (2020), the NWSL Challenge Cup (2021), the Women’s International Champions Cup (2021) and two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021).

“Sinclair is a player who has proudly represented the Thorns organization since day one of the NWSL,” Thorns Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson said. “Her ability to maintain the very top professional standard for as long as she has, her understanding of the game, her finishing ability, and her leadership make her a player we could not be prouder to have represent us.”

Sinclair has scored 31 goals in 62 appearances for her country. More recently, Sinclair led Canada to win the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, including a goal in their opening match against Japan.

 

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Boureille
Portland ThornsPortland Thorns

ICYMI: Celeste Boureille to leave the Thorns

by john rustik
written by john rustik

Earlier Wednesday morning midfielder Celeste Boureille informed the Thorns that she would not be returning for the 2022 season. The 27-year-old was out of contract and will not be renewing another deal to remain in Portland. While her new club has yet to be determined, she will be continuing her career at an undetermined European-based club.

“My time as a Thorn has been an amazing rewarding experience and I have loved every second of it,” Boureille said on Twitter on Monday. “Thank you to the entire Portland organization for giving me this unforgettable opportunity since day one as a pro. With that being said, it’s time to explore a new part of the world.”

Boureille has been a member of the Thorns club since 2016.  She made 66 appearances with the team and 50 starts. Throughout her career, she helped Portland win the NWSL Championship in 2017. She also contributed to winning the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.

With Boureille leaving the club, it has left a spot for Hina Sugita to make an impact. Sugita, who was signed by the Thorns Wednesday afternoon, will be looking to make her impact for the 2022 season.

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Hina Sugita
Portland ThornsPortland Thorns

Thorns sign midfielder Sugita Hina

by john rustik
written by john rustik

The Portland Thorns have signed Hina Sugita to a three-year contract. On Wednesday, the Thorns twitter officially welcomed the Japanese midfielder to the Rose City. The Thorns signed her with allocation money. Pending her P-1 visa and International Transfer certificate, she will join the Thorns for the 2022 season.

Prior to the Thorns acquisition, Sugita played with INAC Kobe Leonessa. Over the seven years she spent with her previous club, she tallied ten goals in 57 appearances. She was included in the Best XI in 2019. In her time with INAC Kobe Leonessa, she helped to win the Empress Cup twice (2015, 2016) and finished in second in the Nadeshiko League Division I in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020. This season, she has made nine appearances and scored one goal.

For her country, she has earned 27 caps and has scored two goals. She has represented Japan in various competitions including; the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2016 U-20 Women’s World Cup. In the 2016 tournament, she received the Golden Ball as the most valuable player.

At 24 years old, she will bring more quality and depth to the Thorns midfield.

“Hina is a playmaker with the ability to play across multiple positions,” Thorns coach Rhian Wilkinson said. “She plays with bravery on the ball always looking for opportunities to be dangerous. She sees passes others do not see. Her on-field vision, creativity, and ball control are traits that allow her to find a way out of tight positions to break open opposing teams.”

 

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thorns-resign-kelly-hubly
Portland ThornsPortland Thorns

Kelli Hubly to re-sign with the Portland Thorns

by john rustik
written by john rustik

The Thorns made another contract move on Thursday morning when they announced that Kelli Hubly would re-sign with the team. The Portland defender has signed a two year contract to remain with the Thorns.

Hubly is entering her sixth season with Portland. She has made 49 appearances for the club and 36 starts. In 2021, she made 18 appearances and 12 starts with the best defensive unit in the NWSL. With her new contract secured it is likely that she will be here until the 2024 season.

“We are pleased to re-sign Kelli. She is a player who has shown tremendous growth during her time in Portland, exhibiting a strong work ethic and commitment to the club,” Thorns general manager Karina LeBlanc said. “She has played an integral role in not only our success on the field but helping to establish a strong foundation off the field.”

Originally a fullback, Hubly shifted to become a center back and found success doing so. Her ability to make that difficult change is what got the attention of first-year Thorns head coach Rhian Wilkinson.

“Kelli’s speed, athleticism and ability to read the field are key attributes that allow her to play multiple positions across different tactical plans, and I’m thrilled to be working with her,” Wilkinson said. “She has established herself as an exceptional teammate and someone who brings a lot to the group off the field.”

 

 

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Smith and Horan USWNT
Portland ThornsPortland Thorns

Three Thorns called up to U.S. Women’s National Team January training camp

by john rustik
written by john rustik

Over the past three days, a trio of Thorns players have been called up to represent the U.S. Women’s National Team for the January training camp taking place in Austin, Texas.

On Wednesday, the Thorns twitter announced that veteran midfielder Lindsey Horan and forward Sophia Smith were named to the 25-player roster to take part in the USWNT training camp that will span from Jan. 19-28.

The following day, the Thorns added that forward Morgan Weaver would also be joining her two teammates.

The three players bring various levels of experience within the USWNT. Horan leads the three with 108 caps. Smith has made 10 appearances and Weaver has played for country twice.

While there won’t be any friendlies played during this training camp, it’s a great sign to see three players get the recognition that they deserve.

The USWNT will make their 2022 debut in the SheBelieves Cup, facing off against the Czech Republic, New Zealand and Iceland. The SheBelieves Cup will start on Feb. 17.

 

 

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Nasello playing at USF
Portland ThornsPortland Thorns

In Case You Missed it: Portland Thorns 2022 Draft Recap

by john rustik
written by john rustik

The 2021 NWSL Draft involved a couple draft picks from the Portland Thorns. Here’s a look at who they got and what they can bring to the team.

Nasello playing at USF

Sydny Nasello spent four years at the University of South Florida (Photo from Brian Westerholt / Sports On Film)

Sydny Nasello: Forward (2nd Round, 13th Pick Overall)

Picked first in the second round was Sydny Nasello from South Florida. She was named to the AAC all-conference first team and earned AAC Offensive Player of the Year. She scored 11 goals in 19 appearances and added five assists. 

However, Nasello’s arrival in Stumptown didn’t come without controversy. Numerous tweets resurfaced containing anti-LGBTQ messages from her twitter account. She has since apologized, but the damage between her and the Thorns community had already been done.

On Friday evening, Meg Linehan reported that Nasello would not be on the Thorns roster ahead of the 2022 season. While her time in Portland is seemingly over before it even started, it looks as though she will likely land somewhere else in the NWSL.

One of the controversial tweets retweeted from Nasello’s account.

gabby-provenzano

Provenzano helped lead the Scarlet Knights to the semifinals of the NCAA College Cup (Cos Lymperopoulos / scarletknights.com)

Gabby Provenzano: Defender  (2nd Round, 22nd Pick Overall)

Provenzano adds another option in the defense for the Thorns. While Portland already boasts an impressive defense, with a league best 17 goals against last year. The senior from Rutgers was named the 2021 Big Ten Defender of the Year.

She reunites with former teammate Madison Pogarch, who saw action in 15 games for the Thorns last season. It will be difficult for Provenzano to find minutes in an already great back line. However, in another season where COVID-19 will likely affect lineups, she will get her chances.

natalie-beckman

Beckman had a program-record 18 assists this season with Denver (Justin Tafoya / NCAA Photos)

Natalie Beckman (4th Round, 48th Overall Pick)

The final pick from the Thorns this season was winger Natalie Beckman. In her four seasons at Denver, she registered 21 goals for her team. Most impressively though was her 47 assists in college.

Beckman could be the best acquisition from the entire draft for Portland. She has proven that she is a crafty winger that makes the final pass in the attacking third. The Denver native also appeared in 83 games, starting in 81 of them, further proving her consistency in the attack. 

While the Thorns traditionally play a 4-3-1-2, that might change with new Manager Rhian Wilkinson in charge. No matter the formation change, Beckman would be a perfect super-sub on the outside.

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