2017 Portland Thorns FC season

The 2017 Portland Thorns FC season was the team's and the league's fifth season of existence. The Thorns played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top division of women's soccer in the United States. The Thorns had finished in first place in the 2016 season, but failed to advance from the semifinals in the 2016 NWSL playoffs. With a slogan of "Unfinished Business", they qualified for the NWSL playoffs as the 2nd ranked team in the 2017 regular season. In the playoffs, they defeated the Orlando Pride and then the North Carolina Courage to become 2017 NWSL Champions. It was their second championship, following the first in 2013.

Portland Thorns FC
2017 season
PresidentMerritt Paulson
Head coachMark Parsons
StadiumProvidence Park
Portland, Oregon
(Capacity: 21,144)
National Women's Soccer League2nd
NWSL PlayoffsChampions
Top goalscorerChristine Sinclair (8 goals)
Highest home attendance21,444
(September 30 vs. Chicago Red Stars)
Lowest home attendance14,471
(April 29 vs. Chicago Red Stars)
Average home league attendance17,653
Biggest win4–0
(September 2 vs. Washington Spirit)
Biggest defeat1–3
(June 17 vs. Sky Blue FC)
← 2016
2018 →
All statistics correct as of July 8, 2017.

This page covers from the day after the 2016 NWSL final to the day of the 2017 NWSL final.

Background edit

Season review edit

Off-season edit

On October 17, 2016, defender Kat Williamson announced her retirement from soccer.

On October 19, 2016, Portland Thorns FC exercised contract options on goalkeeper Adrianna Franch; defenders Meg Morris and Katherine Reynolds; midfielders Celeste Boureille, Dagný Brynjarsdóttir, Amandine Henry, and Kendall Johnson; and forwards Nadia Nadim, Hayley Raso, and Mallory Weber. Goalkeeper Michelle Betos, defender Emily Menges, and midfielder Meleana Shim went out of contract and were extended new contract offers. Michelle Betos would later confirm on her Twitter account that she did not accept the offer, while Menges and Shim did.

On October 27, 2016, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, Allie Long, Meghan Klingenberg and goalkeeper Adrianna Franch were called up for USA for two friendly matches against Romania.

On November 2, 2016, Emily Menges received her first USA call up due to Meghan Klingenberg suffering from a back injury.

On November 8, 2016, Portland Thorns FC head coach Mark Parsons signed a long-term contract extension. Director of goalkeeping Nadine Angerer also signed a contract extension.

On December 13, 2016, Tobin Heath was named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.

On December 15, 2016, Christine Sinclair was named Canadian Player of the Year.

On January 4, 2017, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan and Allie Long, Emily Sonnett and goalkeeper Adrianna Franch were called up by USA for an evaluation period for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup.

On January 12, 2017, Portland Thorns FC selected midfielders Rachel Hill and Caroline Flynn and forwards Savannah Jordan and Tyler Lussi from the 2017 NWSL College Draft.

On January 18, 2017, Portland Thorns FC acquired Orlando Pride's first-round and fourth-round 2018 NWSL College Draft picks for the rights to forward Rachel Hill, who was chosen by Portland in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.

On January 27, 2017, Amandine Henry was sent on a short-term loan to French side Paris Saint-Germain.

On February 8, 2017, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan and Allie Long, and defenders Meghan Klingenberg and Emily Sonnett were called up to the USA training camp ahead of the SheBelieves Cup.

On February 22, 2017, Portland Thorns FC re-signed defender Emily Menges and midfielder Meleana Shim.

On March 8, 2017, Portland Thorns FC traded two fourth round picks in the 2018 NWSL College Draft to the North Carolina Courage for goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom.

Preseason edit

On March 13, 2017, Portland Thorns FC announced their 2017 preseason roster, which included 5 non-roster invites.

On March 26, 2017, Portland Thorns FC began their preseason tournament against the Chicago Red Stars. There would be no cards and a single goal from Nadia Nadim in the 26th minute from a converted penalty. Portland would go on to win their first preseason match 1–0.

On April 14, 2017, the Thorns signed defender Meghan Cox, who was an undrafted non-roster invitee to preseason camp.

April edit

On April 15, 2017, Portland Thorns FC hosted the Orlando Pride for the start of the 2017 NWSL campaign. In the 32nd minute, Nadia Nadim successfully converted a penalty kick after an Orlando handball in the box. In the 67th minute, Allie Long sent a cross to Christine Sinclair, who scored to put the Thorns up another goal. After the 2–0 win, they were tied for first place with Houston Dash and FC Kansas City.

 
Vs. Orlando Pride on April 15, 2017

On April 22, 2017, Portland Thorns FC went on the road for the first time to take on the North Carolina Courage, formerly the Western New York Flash, relocated and rebranded in the offseason. North Carolina won 1–0 on a late goal from Debinha in the 81st minute.

On April 29, 2017, the Thorns returned home to defeat the Chicago Red Stars 1–0 on a Nadia Nadim penalty kick after a Christen Press handball in the box.

Position at the end of April

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
3 Portland Thorns FC 3 2 0 1 3 1 +2 6
Source: [citation needed]

May edit

Thorns FC opened May by hosting their rivals Seattle Reign FC. In the 1st minute, Seattle's Jess Fishlock scored a long-range shot from 24 yards out. In the 37th minute, Fishlock scored again but instead this time in Seattle's own net, equalizing Portland 1–1. Shortly after in the 29th minute,[clarification needed] Merritt Mathias, with an assist from Rebekah Stott, put Seattle back up, 2–1, at the end of the first half. Portland equalized again with a goal from Allie Long, assisted by Meghan Klingenberg, in the 82nd minute. Both teams settled with a point from a final score of 2–2.

Position as of May 6

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
2 Portland Thorns FC 4 2 1 1 5 3 +2 7
Source: [citation needed]

Competitions edit

Competition Record Started round First match Last match Final position
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
NWSL 24 14 5 5 37 20 +17 058.33 1 April 15, 2017 September 30, 2017 Second place
NWSL Playoffs 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4 100.00 1 October 7, 2017 October 14, 2017 Winners
Total 26 16 5 5 42 21 +21 061.54

Updated to match played Jan. 15, 2018
Source: Competitions

NWSL edit

Preseason edit

Providence Park Preseason Tournament
  Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

March 26, 2017 1 Portland Thorns FC 1–0 Chicago Red Stars Portland, Oregon
17:00 (PST) Nadim   26' (pen.) Report Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 6,802
March 29, 2017 2 Portland Thorns FC 1–2 U.S. U-23s WNT Portland, Oregon
19:30 (PST) Weber   8' (Sinclair, Herndon) Report Xiao   66'
Smith   90'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 6,129
April 1, 2017 3 Portland Thorns FC 1–1 Houston Dash Portland, Oregon
19:30 (PST) Shim   17'
Nadim   43'
Report Daly   28',   76' Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 7,252
Pos Team Pld W L D GF GA GD Pts
1   Houston Dash (C) 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
2   Portland Thorns FC 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
2   U.S. U-23s WNT 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
3   Chicago Red Stars 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
Source: [citation needed]
(C) Champions

Regular season edit

League table edit
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 North Carolina Courage 24 16 1 7 38 22 +16 49 NWSL Shield
2 Portland Thorns FC (C) 24 14 5 5 37 20 +17 47 NWSL Playoffs
3 Orlando Pride 24 11 7 6 45 31 +14 40
4 Chicago Red Stars 24 11 6 7 33 30 +3 39
5 Seattle Reign FC 24 9 7 8 43 37 +6 34
6 Sky Blue FC 24 10 3 11 42 51 −9 33
7 FC Kansas City 24 8 7 9 29 31 −2 31
8 Houston Dash 24 7 3 14 23 39 −16 24
9 Boston Breakers 24 4 7 13 24 35 −11 19
10 Washington Spirit 24 5 4 15 30 48 −18 19
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champions
Matches edit

  Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

Date Round Home team Score Away team Location
Time Stadium: Stadium
Attendance: Attendance
Referee: Referee
April 15, 2017 1 Portland Thorns FC 2–0 Orlando Pride Portland, Oregon
12:00 (PST) Nadim   32' (pen.)
Sinclair   67' (Long)
Report Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 16,145
Referee: Danielle Chesky
April 23, 2016 2 North Carolina Courage 1–0 Portland Thorns FC Cary, North Carolina
16:30 (PST) Kawamura   27'
Mewis   76'
Debinha   81' (McDonald)
Report Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 6,298
Referee: Victor Rivas
April 29, 2017 3 Portland Thorns FC 1–0 Chicago Red Stars Portland, Oregon
13:00 (PST) Nadim   27' (pen.)
Sonnett   51'
Boureille   67'
Report Ertz   64'
Press   90+1'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 14,471
Referee: Ramy Touchan
May 6, 2017 4 Portland Thorns FC 2–2 Seattle Reign FC Portland, Oregon
19:00 (PST) Fishlock   37' (o.g.)
Henry   73'
Long   82' (Klingenberg)
Horan   90+1'
Report Fishlock   1' (Utsugi)
Mathias   39' (Stott)
Rapinoe   57'
Fishlock   66'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 16,160
Referee: Christina Unkel
May 13, 2017 5 FC Kansas City 0–0 Portland Thorns FC Kansas City, Missouri
19:00 (PST) Moros   74' Report Stadium: Swope Soccer Village
Attendance: 1,796
Referee: Karen Abt
May 19, 2017 6 Boston Breakers 2–2 Portland Thorns Boston, Massachusetts
16:00 (PST) Dowie   38' (Leon)
White   48' (Dowie)
Salem   90'
Report Nadim   57' (pen.)
Weber   65'
Cox   68'
Nadim   83' (Raso)
Stadium: Jordan Field
Attendance: 3,321
Referee: Farhad Dadkho
May 27, 2017 7 Portland Thorns FC 2–0 Boston Breakers Portland, Oregon
19:00 (PST) King   1' (o.g.)
Henry   5'
Nadim   49'
Report Haavi   24'
Westphal   71'
Chapman   90+1'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 18,637
Referee: Katja Koroleva
June 3, 2017 8 Sky Blue FC 0–2 Portland Thorns FC Piscataway, New Jersey
16:00 (PST) Mills   20'
O'Hara   89'
Report Horan   20' (Nadim), 42' (Klingenberg),   59'
Cox   77'
Stadium: Yurcak Field
Attendance: 2,418
Referee: Marco Vega
Assistant referees: Amanda Ross, Tom Felice
Fourth official: Lorant Varga
June 17, 2017 9 Portland Thorns FC 1–3 Sky Blue FC Portland, Oregon
19:00 (PST) Henry   90+1'
Sinclair   90+5' (penalty)
Report Rodriguez   1' (Kerr)
O'Hara   74'
Kerr   70' (Hayes), 88' (Tiernan)
Stanton   90'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 16,736
Referee: Timothy Ford
Assistant referees: Deleana Quan, JJ Blodgett
Fourth official: Cephas Quartson
June 24, 2017 10 Washington Spirit 1–0 Portland Thorns FC Boyds, Maryland
16:00 (PST) Ordega   19' Report Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 4,319
Referee: Danielle Chesky
Assistant referees: Cory Richardson, Jeffrey Skinker
Fourth official: Jorge Ramirez
June 28, 2017 11 Portland Thorns FC 3–0 FC Kansas City Portland, Oregon
19:00 (PST) Sinclair   15', 75' (Raso),   71'
Raso   32' (Horan),   66'
Horan   52'
Report Newfield   54'
Ratcliffe   83'
Kelly   90+2'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 16,199
Referee: Chipalo Street
Assistant referees: Adrienne McDonald, Cephas Quartson
Fourth official: Kelsey Harms
July 1, 2017 12 Seattle Reign FC 2–0 Portland Thorns FC Seattle, Washington
19:00 (PST) Rapinoe   45+1', 81' (Nairn)
McNabb   77'
Report Sinclair   64'
Brynjarsdottir   72'
Raso   90+1'
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 4,270
Referee: Jon Freemon
Assistant referees: Joshua Haimes, TJ Zablocki
Fourth official: Cephas Quartson
July 8, 2017 13 Houston Dash 1–1 Portland Thorns FC Houston, Texas
19:00 (PST) Beckie   8' (Daly)
Benites   82'
Daly   90'
Lloyd   90+1'
Report Horan   45+2',   90+1' Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium
Attendance: 3,869
Referee: Christina Unkel
Assistant referees: Deleana Quan, Brooke Mayo
Fourth official: Estefania Estrada
Note: Kickoff was delayed from 17:30 Pacific due to severe weather.
July 15, 2017 14 Portland Thorns FC 1–0 North Carolina Courage Portland, Oregon
12:50 (PST) Raso   62',   70' (Klingenberg) Report Smith   58' Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 16,804
July 22, 2017 15 Portland Thorns FC 2–1 Washington Spirit Portland Oregon
19:00 (PST) Long   62' (Lussi)
Weber   80' (Sykes)
Sykes   30'
Report Solaun   58'
Ship   12'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 18,478
August 5, 2017 16 Portland Thorns FC 2–1 Houston Dash Portland, Oregon
12:50 (PST)
Report
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 18,243
Referee: Karen Abt
August 12, 2017 17 Chicago Red Stars 2–3 Portland Thorns FC Bridgeview, Illinois
19:00 (PST)
Report
Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 4,934
Referee: Greg Dopka
August 16, 2017 18 FC Kansas City 2–1 Portland Thorns FC Kansas City, Missouri
19:00 (PST)
Report
Stadium: Swope Soccer Village
Attendance: 428
Referee: Marco Vega
August 19, 2017 19 Portland Thorns FC 2–0 Houston Dash Portland, Oregon
19:00 (PST)
Report
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 19,672
Referee: Christina Unkel
August 26, 2017 20 Seattle Reign FC 1–2 Portland Thorns FC Seattle, Washington
13:00 (PST)
Summary
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 6,041
Referee: Farhad Dadkho
September 2, 2017 21 Portland Thorns FC 4–0 Washington Spirit Portland, Oregon
13:00 (PST)
Report Haracic   21' Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 19,141
September 10, 2017 22 Boston Breakers 0–1 Portland Thorns FC Boston, Massachusetts
15:00 (PST)
Report
Stadium: Jordan Field
September 23, 2017 23 Orlando Pride 0–0 Portland Thorns FC Orlando, Florida
12:50 (PST) Report Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
September 30, 2017 24 Portland Thorns FC 3–1 Chicago Red Stars Portland, Oregon
12:50 (PDT)
Report
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 21,144
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
October 7, 2017 Playoff Portland Thorns FC 4–1 Orlando Pride Portland, Oregon
12:30 (PDT)
Report Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 18,193
Referee: Timothy Ford
October 14, 2017 Final North Carolina Courage 0–1 Portland Thorns FC Orlando, Florida
16:30 (EDT) Report
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 8,124
Referee: Danielle Chesky

The 2017 NWSL Regular Season schedule was released on March 1, 2017.[1] On June 12, the league changed kickoff times for several matches to accommodate hydration breaks during television broadcasts and implemented new guidelines for playing in extreme heat, and also allowed teams to reschedule backup games for television to later kickoff times.[2][3][4]

Results by round edit
Matchday123456789101112131415161718192021222324
StadiumHAHHAAHAHAHAAHHHAAHAHAAH
ResultWLWDDDWWLLWLDWWWWLWWWWDW
Position[a]363235534435542222222222
Updated to match(es) played on September 29, 2017. Source: Schedule
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
  1. ^ Position is based on where the Portland Thorns FC are at the end of that match week, not after the match itself.
Home/away results edit
Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
24 14 5 5 37 20  +17 47 10 1 1 25 8  +17 4 4 4 12 12  0

Last updated: September 29, 2017.
Source: Match reports

NWSL Playoffs edit

  Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

Semifinal:

October 7, 2017 1 Portland Thorns FC 4–1 Orlando Pride Portland, Oregon
12:00 (PDT) Henry   12'
Sonnett   15'
Raso   71'
Sinclair   83'
Report Kennedy   23' Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 18,193
Referee: Timothy Ford

Final:

October 14, 2017 2 North Carolina Courage 0–1 Portland Thorns FC Orlando, Florida
13:00 (PST) Report Horan   50' Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 8,124
Referee: Danielle Chesky

Following the win in the Final, the Thorns were crowned 2017 NWSL Champions.[5]

Club edit

Executive staff edit

Owner and Chief Executive Officer Merritt Paulson
President of Business Mike Golub
General Manager/President of Soccer Gavin Wilkinson

Updated to match played October 2, 2017
Source: Portland Timbers

Coaching staff edit

Position Staff
Head Coach Mark Parsons
Assistant Coach Rich Gunney
Assistant Coach/Equipment Manager Sophie Clough
Assistant Coach/Community Youth Development Coach Carly Copplestone
Goalkeeper Coach Nadine Angerer
Fitness Coach Garga Caserta
Head Athletic Trainer Beckie Kruse

Last updated: October 2, 2017
Source: Portland Timbers

Stadiums edit

Ground (capacity and dimensions) Providence Park (21,144 / 110x75 yards)
Training Ground Providence Park

Source: Providence Park

Kits edit

Primary kit edit

The Thorns primarily wear red Nike Vapor match kit with gray shoulders, red shorts, and red socks. Providence Health & Services remains their kit sponsor as in past seasons. The Lifetime logo is printed in a white circle on the right sleeve, and the league logo is printed on the left sleeve. A 5th-anniversary logo is printed above the shirt's lower-left hemline.[6]

Secondary kit edit

The Thorns' alternate kit are white Nike Laser shirts with black sleeve cuffs, white shorts, and white socks. This is unchanged from 2016, with the exception of the Lifetime logo printed in a red circle on the right sleeve and the 5th-anniversary logo.[7]

Squad information edit

First team squad edit

Last updated: September 2, 2017[8]

No. Name Nationality Positions Date of birth (age) Signed from Year with club (year signed)
Goalkeepers
24 Adrianna Franch   GK (1990-11-12) November 12, 1990 (age 33)   Avaldsnes IL 2 (2016)
33 Britt Eckerstrom   GK (1993-05-28) May 28, 1993 (age 31)   North Carolina Courage 1 (2017)
Defenders
2 Katherine Reynolds   RB (1987-09-14) September 14, 1987 (age 36)   Washington Spirit 2 (2016)
4 Emily Menges   CB (1992-07-28) July 28, 1992 (age 31) 2014 NWSL College Draft 4 (2014)
16 Emily Sonnett (FP)   CB (1993-11-25) November 25, 1993 (age 30) 2016 NWSL College Draft 2 (2016)
25 Meghan Klingenberg (FP)   LB (1988-08-02) August 2, 1988 (age 35)   Houston Dash 2 (2016)
32 Meg Morris   LB / FW (1992-05-11) May 11, 1992 (age 32)   Sky Blue FC 2 (2016)
Midfielders
7 Lindsey Horan (FP)   CM (1994-05-26) May 26, 1994 (age 30)   Paris Saint-Germain 2 (2016)
10 Allie Long (FP)   LW / CM (1987-08-13) August 13, 1987 (age 36)   New York Fury 5 (2013)
11 Dagný Brynjarsdóttir   MF (1991-08-10) August 10, 1991 (age 32)   UMF Selfoss 2 (2016)
15 Kendall Johnson   MF / DF (1991-04-24) April 24, 1991 (age 33)   Sky Blue FC 3 (2015)
17 Tobin Heath (FP)   LW (1988-05-29) May 29, 1988 (age 36)   Paris Saint-Germain 5 (2013)
28 Amandine Henry   CM (1989-09-28) September 28, 1989 (age 34)   Olympique Lyonnais 2 (2016)
30 Celeste Boureille   MF (1994-04-20) April 20, 1994 (age 30)   UMF Selfoss 2 (2016)
Forwards
9 Nadia Nadim   CF / RW (1988-01-02) January 2, 1988 (age 36)   Sky Blue FC 2 (2016)
12 Christine Sinclair   CF (1983-06-12) June 12, 1983 (age 40)   Western New York Flash 5 (2013)
14 Ashleigh Sykes   FW (1991-12-15) December 15, 1991 (age 32)   Canberra United FC 1 (2017)
21 Hayley Raso   FW / RW (1994-09-05) September 5, 1994 (age 29)   Washington Spirit 2 (2016)
26 Mallory Weber   FW / CB (1994-04-04) April 4, 1994 (age 30) 2016 NWSL College Draft 2 (2016)
34 Tyler Lussi   FW (1995-01-26) January 26, 1995 (age 29) 2017 NWSL College Draft 1 (2017)
13 Savannah Jordan   FW (1995-01-24) January 24, 1995 (age 29) 2017 NWSL College Draft 1 (2017)
  • (HG) = homegrown player
  • (FP) = Federation player
  • (Loan) = on loan
  • (AP) = amateur player

Player transactions edit

National Team/Federation player allocation edit

Date Player Positions played New/returning Notes Ref.
April 5, 2017   Tobin Heath LW Returning 2017 U.S. Women's National Team allocation process [9]
April 5, 2017   Lindsey Horan CM Returning 2017 U.S. Women's National Team allocation process [9]
April 5, 2017   Meghan Klingenberg LB Returning 2017 U.S. Women's National Team allocation process [9]
April 5, 2017   Emily Sonnett CB Returning 2017 U.S. Women's National Team allocation process [9]
April 5, 2017   Allie Long LW / CM Newly allocated 2017 U.S. Women's National Team allocation process [9]

Transfers in edit

Date Player Positions played Previous club Fee/notes Ref.
March 7, 2017   Ashleigh Sykes FW   Canberra United Sykes was added to the roster on June 13. [10][11]
March 8, 2017   Britt Eckerstrom GK   North Carolina Courage [12]
April 14, 2017   Meghan Cox DF [13]

Loans in edit

Date Player Positions played Previous club Fee/notes Ref.

Loans out edit

Date Player Positions played Destination club Fee/notes Ref.
October 20, 2016   Hayley Raso FW   Canberra United Returned for the start of the 2017 season. [14]
October 20, 2016   Celeste Boureille MF   Canberra United Returned for the start of the 2017 season. [14]
January 27, 2017   Amandine Henry MF   Paris Saint-Germain Returned for the start of the 2017 season. [15]

Transfers out edit

Date Player Positions played Destination club Fee/notes Ref.
October 17, 2016   Kat Williamson LB N/A Retired from soccer. [16]
October 19, 2016   Jen Skogerboe DF   Suwon FMC Option declined. [17]
October 19, 2016   Michelle Betos GK   Vålerenga Out of contract. Offered extended contract but declined. [18]

Contract extensions edit

Date Player Positions played Year with club (year signed) Notes Ref.
October 19, 2016   Emily Menges DF 4 (2014) [17]
October 19, 2016   Meleana Shim MF 5 (2013) [17]

Player's rights purchased edit

Player's rights sold edit

Date Player Positions To Notes Ref
January 18, 2017   Rachel Hill FW Orlando Pride Traded rights for first-round and fourth-round picks in the 2018 NWSL College Draft. [19]

National Women's Soccer League College Draft edit

Round (overall pick) Player Positions played Previous club Notes Ref.
2 (14) Rachel Hill MF / FW   UConn Huskies [20]
2 (18) Savannah Jordan FW   Florida Gators Portland Thorns FC traded up to acquire the No. 18 overall selection from the North Carolina Courage, who picked up the No. 20 and No. 27 picks in exchange. [20]
3 (21) Tyler Lussi FW   Princeton Tigers Portland Thorns FC traded up to acquire the No. 18 overall selection from the North Carolina Courage, who picked up the No. 20 and No. 27 picks in exchange. [20]
4 (40) Caroline Flynn MF   Nebraska Cornhuskers [20]

The draft was held on January 12, 2017.

Staff in edit

Date Name Position Previous club Notes Ref.
May 25, 2017   Tobin Heath Assistant Youth Technical Director Portland Thorns FC (Current Player) Not playing due to lingering back injury, no timeline for when she will play again. [21]

Staff contract extensions edit

Date Name Position Notes Ref.
November 8, 2016 Mark Parsons Head Coach Re-signed long-term contract. [22]
November 8, 2016 Nadine Angerer Director of goalkeeping Re-signed contract extension as Director of goalkeeping. [22]

Staff out edit

Date Name Position Destination club Notes Ref.

National team participation edit

Seven Thorns players have been called up to play for their national teams during this season.

Team Players Positions # of call-ups Ref.
  United States Lindsey Horan MF 5 [23][24][25][26][27]
  United States Allie Long MF 5 [23][24][25][26][27]
  United States Meghan Klingenberg DF 4 [23][25][26][27]
  United States Tobin Heath MF 4 [23][24][25][26]
  United States Adrianna Franch GK 2 [23][24]
  United States Emily Sonnett DF 2 [24][25]
  United States Emily Menges DF 1 [28]

Honors and awards edit

NWSL Player of the Month edit

Month Result Player Ref.

NWSL Weekly Awards edit

NWSL Player of the Week edit

Week Result Player Ref
8 Won   Lindsey Horan [29]
18 Won   Hayley Raso NWSL 2017 Weekly Awards

NWSL Goal of the Week edit

Week Result Player Ref.
1 Nominated   Christine Sinclair [30]
4 Nominated   Allie Long [31]
8 Won   Lindsey Horan [32]
11 Nominated   Hayley Raso [33]
12 Won   Hayley Raso [34]
20 Won   Christine Sinclair NWSL 2017 Weekly Awards

NWSL Save of the Week edit

Week Result Player Ref.
3 Won   Adrianna Franch [35]
4 Nominated   Adrianna Franch [36]
5 Nominated   Adrianna Franch [37]
8 Won   Adrianna Franch [38]
15 Won   Adrianna Franch NWSL 2017 Weekly Awards
16 Won   Adrianna Franch NWSL 2017 Weekly Awards

Other awards edit

Award Player Result Ref.
CONCACAF Female Goalkeeper of the Year   Adrianna Franch Won [39]
CONCACAF Best XI   Lindsey Horan,   Allie Long,   Emily Menges Team Member [39]
NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year   Adrianna Franch Won [39]
NWSL Best XI   Adrianna Franch Team Member [39]
NWSL Second XI   Lindsey Horan,   Emily Menges Team Member [39]

Statistics edit

Appearances edit

No. Pos. Name NWSL NWSL Playoffs Total
Apps Goals     Apps Goals     Apps Goals    
2 DF   Katherine Reynolds 10 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 12 0 1 0
4 DF   Emily Menges 23 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 25 0 0 0
6 MF   Meleana Shim 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0
7 MF   Lindsey Horan 24 4 4 0 2 1 0 0 26 5 4 0
9 FW   Nadia Nadim 16 6 1 0 2 0 0 0 18 6 1 0
10 MF   Allie Long 21 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 23 2 1 0
11 MF   Dagný Brynjarsdóttir 11 0 4 0 2 0 1 0 13 0 5 0
12 FW   Christine Sinclair 24 8 3 0 2 1 0 0 26 9 3 0
13 FW   Savannah Jordan 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
14 FW   Ashleigh Sykes 15 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 17 1 1 0
15 MF   Kendall Johnson 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0
16 DF   Emily Sonnett 24 3 2 0 2 1 0 0 26 4 2 0
17 MF   Tobin Heath 2 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 4 0 1 0
19 MF   Ashley Herndon 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
20 DF   Kelli Hubly 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
21 FW   Hayley Raso 22 6 6 0 2 1 1 0 24 7 7 0
24 GK   Adrianna Franch 24 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 26 0 0 0
25 DF   Meghan Klingenberg 23 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 25 0 1 0
26 FW   Mallory Weber 15 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 15 1 1 0
27 DF   Meghan Cox 10 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 10 2 2 0
28 MF   Amandine Henry 21 3 4 0 2 1 1 0 23 4 5 0
30 MF   Celeste Boureille 15 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 1 0
32 MF   Meg Morris 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
33 GK   Britt Eckerstrom 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
34 FW   Tyler Lussi 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0
Players who were transferred/waived from the club during active season or on loan

Last updated: 25 May 2018.
Source: NWSL statistics

Goalkeeper stats edit

No. Player NWSL NWSL Playoffs Total
Min GA GAA SV Min GA GAA SV Min GA GAA SV
24   Adrianna Franch 2160 20 0.83 80 180 1 0.50 5 2340 21 0.81 85
33   Britt Eckerstrom 0 0 n/a 0 0 0 n/a 0 0 0 n/a 0
TOTALS 2160 20 0.83 80 180 1 0.50 5 2340 21 0.81 85

Last updated: 25 May 2018.
Source: NWSL statistics

Top scorers edit

Rank Pos No. Player NWSL NWSL Playoffs Total
1 FW 12   Christine Sinclair 8 1 9
2 FW 21   Hayley Raso 6 1 7
3 FW 9   Nadia Nadim 6 0 6
4 MF 7   Lindsey Horan 4 1 5
5 DF 16   Emily Sonnett 3 1 4
MF 28   Amandine Henry 3 1 4
7 MF 10   Allie Long 2 0 2
Other Thorns with 1 goal each 3 0 3
Own goals by other teams 2 0 2
Total 37 5 42

Last updated: 25 May 2018.
Source: NWSL statistics

Top assists edit

Rank Pos No. Player NWSL NWSL Playoffs Total
1 DF 24   Meghan Klingenberg 6 1 7
2 FW 9   Nadia Nadim 3 1 4
3 FW 21   Hayley Raso 3 0 3
MF 7   Lindsey Horan 2 1 3
5 FW 7   Tyler Lussi 2 0 2
6 Others with 1 assist each 4 0 4
Total 20 3 23

Last updated: 25 May 2018.
Source: NWSL statistics

Clean sheets edit

Rnk No. Player NWSL NWSL Playoffs Total
1 24   Adrianna Franch 11 1 12
Total 11 1 12

Last updated: 25 May 2018.
Source: NWSL statistics on Franch

Summary edit

All statistics are for National Women's Soccer League games.

Games played 26
Games won 16
Games drawn 5
Games lost 5
Goals scored 42
Goals conceded 21
Goal difference +21
Clean sheets 12
Yellow cards 33
Red cards 0
Most appearances 26 (4 players)
Top scorer   Christine Sinclair (9 goals)
Top assister   Meghan Klingenberg (7 assists)
Top goalkeeper   Adrianna Franch (0.81 goals-against average)
Winning percentage 61.5% (16/26)

Last updated: 25 May 2018.
Source: NWSL statistics

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Thorns FC announce schedule for 2017 NWSL season". March 1, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  2. ^ "NWSL announces new kickoff times for 2017 season". National Women's Soccer League. June 12, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  3. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (June 12, 2017). "NWSL announces new kickoff times for 23 games in effort to ensure player safety". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  4. ^ "Reign FC Announce Time Change for July 1st Match Against Thorns FC". The Bold (Seattle Reign FC). June 5, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  5. ^ NWSL Soccer (October 14, 2017). "North Carolina Courage vs. Portland Thorns FC". www.nwslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  6. ^ "The 2017 Thorns FC Primary Kit". Portland Timbers. April 12, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  7. ^ "Portland Thorns FC Nike 2017 Women's Replica Secondary Custom Jersey – White". Portland Thorns FC Official Online Store. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  8. ^ "Portland Thorns FC Roster". Timbers.com. May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Heath, Horan, Klingenberg, Sonnett return to Thorns FC as federation players; Allie Long named allocated U.S. federation player for 2017". Portland Thorns. April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  10. ^ "Thorns FC sign forward Ashleigh Sykes". March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  11. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (June 13, 2017). "Ashleigh Sykes, Tyler Lussi participate in Portland Thorns training". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  12. ^ "Thorns FC acquire goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom from North Carolina Courage". March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  13. ^ "Thorns FC sign defender Meghan Cox". April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  14. ^ a b "Thorns FC loan forward Hayley Raso, midfielder Celeste Boureille to Australian club Canberra United". October 20, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  15. ^ "Thorns FC midfielder Amandine Henry to join Paris Saint-Germain on short-term loan". January 27, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  16. ^ "Thorns FC defender Kat Williamson announces retirement". Timbers.com. October 17, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  17. ^ a b c "Thorns FC exercise 2017 contract options on 10 players". Timbers.com. October 19, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  18. ^ "Michelle Betos on Twitter". Twitter.com. February 10, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  19. ^ "Thorns FC acquire 2018 first-round, fourth-round picks in 2018 NWSL College Draft from Orlando Pride". Timbers.com. January 18, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  20. ^ a b c d "Complete 2017 NWSL College Draft Results". NWSLSoccer. January 12, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  21. ^ "Tobin Heath named Assistant Youth Technical Director for Thorns FC Development Academy". Portland Timbers. May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  22. ^ a b "Thorns FC sign head coach Mark Parsons to long-term contract extension". Timbers.com. November 8, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  23. ^ a b c d e "Five Thorns FC players named to U.S. Women's National Team roster for November friendly matches against Romania". Timbers.com. October 27, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  24. ^ a b c d e "Five Thorns FC players named to U.S. Women's National Team roster for January training camp". Timbers.com. January 4, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Thorns FC's Heath, Horan, Klingenberg, Long, Sonnett named to U.S. Women's National Team roster for training camp". Timbers.com. February 8, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  26. ^ a b c d "Four Thorns FC players named to U.S. Women's National Team training camp roster for April Friendlies". Timbers.com. March 23, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  27. ^ a b c "Thorns FC's Lindsey Horan, Allie Long and Meghan Klingenberg named to U.S. Women's National Team roster for European friendlies". Timbers.com. May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  28. ^ "Thorns FC defender Emily Menges added to U.S. Women's National Team roster for friendly matches against Romania". Timbers.com. November 2, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  29. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (June 7, 2017). "Portland Thorns midfielder Lindsey Horan named NWSL Player of the Week". OregonLive.com. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  30. ^ "@NWSL: Vote for the #NWSL Goal of the Week! Who had Week 1's top save?". Twitter.com. NWSL. April 18, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  31. ^ "@NWSL: Vote for the #NWSL Goal of the Week! Who had Week 4's top goal?". Twitter.com. NWSL. May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  32. ^ "LINDSEY HORAN – WEEK 8 – GOAL OF THE WEEK WINNER". NWSL. June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  33. ^ Purdy, Jacqueline (July 3, 2017). "Vote: Goal of the Week". www.nwslsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  34. ^ Jackson-Gibson, Adele (July 11, 2017). "Sam Kerr, Lindsey Horan and Aubrey Bledsoe receive NWSL Week 12 honors". Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  35. ^ "@NWSL: Week 3 #NWSL Save of the Week winner: @ADizzle23 of @ThornsFC!". Twitter.com. NWSL. May 2, 2017.
  36. ^ "@NWSL: Vote for the #NWSL Save of the Week! Who had Week 4's best save?". Twitter.com. NWSL. May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  37. ^ "@NWSL: Vote for the #NWSL Save of the Week! Who had Week 5's best save?". Twitter.com. NWSL. May 15, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  38. ^ "ADRIANNA FRANCH – WEEK 8 – SAVE OF THE WEEK WINNER". NWSL. June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  39. ^ a b c d e "Adrianna Franch named 2017 CONCACAF Female Goalkeeper of the Year, three other players earn additional awards". Portland Timbers. December 19, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2018.

External links edit