The 2023 Portland Thorns FC season was the team's eleventh season as a professional women's soccer team. Thorns FC played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.
| 2023 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Thorns at home vs. Chicago on May 21 | |||
| Owner | Merritt Paulson | ||
| General manager | Karina LeBlanc | ||
| Head coach | Mike Norris | ||
| Stadium | Providence Park (capacity: 25,218) | ||
| League | 2nd | ||
| Challenge Cup | Group stage | ||
| Playoffs | Semifinals | ||
| Top goalscorer | Sophia Smith (10 goals) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 25,218 (September 16 vs. OLR) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 14,972 (Apr 22 vs. LOU) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 18,815 | ||
| Biggest win | 4–0 (Mar 26 vs. ORL) (May 21 vs. CHI) | ||
| Biggest defeat | 1–3 (Jun 11 vs. ORL) | ||
|
| |||
| All statistics correct as of July 21, 2023. | |||
Background edit
Thorns FC are the league's defending champions after defeating the Kansas City Current 2–0 in the 2022 NWSL championship match. The championship was the club's third.[1]
League discipline edit
In December 2022, first-year head coach Rhian Wilkinson resigned. The joint NWSL/NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) report on league-wide abuse allegations revealed that Wilkinson allegedly self-reported having exchanged messages expressing mutual romantic feelings with Thorns FC player Emily Menges, who also served as treasurer of the NWSLPA. Wilkinson and Menges had previously been teammates when Wilkinson played for the Thorns in 2015. Wilkinson's resignation came in spite of the report also stating that Wilkinson did not violate league policies and did not suggest ending her employment.[2][3]
In January 2023, following the release of the joint NWSL and NWSLPA report and subsequent allegations of league policy violations in the club's actions around Paul Riley, the NWSL fined Thorns FC $1 million, retroactively satisfied by a previous $1 million pledge by owner Merritt Paulson toward establishing an NWSL player safety office. Paulson also announced his intent to sell the Thorns.[4] An early investment group led by former Nike executive Melanie Strong reportedly valued the Thorns at $60 million in a formal bid for a majority stake in the team.[5]
The same investigation also alleged that Thorns FC head athletic trainer Pierre Soubrier inappropriately distributed medication containing codeine to players during the 2022 semifinals, and that assistant coach Sophie Clough inappropriately kissed a player's neck during the team's championship celebrations. The club terminated both employees' employment following the report's release.[6]
Hirings edit
On January 10, 2023, Thorns FC announced the hiring of Mike Norris, an assistant on Wilkinson's Thorns FC staff and former Canadian women's national soccer team assistant and goalkeeper coach, as her replacement.[7]
On March 23, Thorns FC announced the hiring of Rob Gale and Katie Quinlan as assistant coaches. Gale was formerly head coach and general manager of Canadian Premier League team Valour FC and a youth coach for the Canadian women's national team, and Quinlan was director of player development for Texas club Gulf Coast SC and head coach and technical director for Blackburn Rovers L.F.C.[8]
Summary edit
March/April edit
Thorns FC acquired Canadian forward Adriana Leon on a short-term loan from Manchester United on April 13.[9]
In the April 29 match against Angel City FC, Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby scored a backheel goal in the final minutes of stoppage time to secure a 3–3 draw. The goal was the second in league history scored by a goalkeeper with both being equalizing goals scored in Providence Park by Thorns goalkeepers off stoppage-time corners in regular-season draws, following Michelle Betos's goal in a 1–1 draw against FC Kansas City on June 19, 2015.[10][11]
Portland went undefeated in league play during April, winning three matches and drawing two to finish the month at the top of the table with 11 points,[10] but lost its first Challenge Cup match of the season against San Diego Wave FC 0–1 on April 19.[12]
May edit
On May 6 on the road against North Carolina Courage, the Thorns finished with a second consecutive 3–3 draw. Former Courage player Crystal Dunn scored a brace, with Olivia Moultrie's 83rd-minute equalizer salvaging the point.[13] The Thorns then suffered their first loss of the regular season against Houston Dash, taking an early lead on a Raquel Rodríguez goal but conceding to Joelle Anderson and Ebony Salmon in Houston.[14]
The Thorns responded at home on May 21 by scoring three goals in the first 16 minutes and adding a fourth in the second half in a shutout win against Chicago Red Stars. The match featured the second career goal of center back Kelli Hubly.[15] The match marked the third consecutive season that the Thorns had scored three goals on a team in the opening 16 minutes of a match, and the second time in three seasons that the Thorns had done so to Chicago.[16][17]
The May 21 match drew an attendance of 20,402, the team's largest home attendance to a regular-season match since the 2019 season.[18]
On May 26, the Thorns managed another late draw on the road, this time against San Diego Wave FC. Portland required a 90th-minute goal from rookie defender Reyna Reyes, her first professional score, from a Sam Coffey corner to equalize in the 1–1 tie.[19]
June edit
The Thorns opened June with their first-ever win at Lumen Field by defeating Cascadian rivals OL Reign 2–0.[20] The result was also the Thorns' first win against the Reign since the 2020 NWSL Fall Series.[21] Sophia Smith broke a seven-match goalscoring drought, the longest such drought of her career, with her 17th-minute goal,[22] and Christine Sinclair scored the Thorns' second tally in the 87th minute. Sinclair's goal marked the 60th match in all competitions in which she had scored, setting an NWSL record.[21] The match was the second of a doubleheader with the Seattle Sounders FC and Timbers, who played to a scoreless draw; the combined event sold more than 42,000 tickets.[23] Combined with a NJ/NY Gotham FC loss to San Diego Wave FC the following day, the result returned the Thorns to the top of the table.[21]
On June 22, 2023, the Thorns permanently transferred midfielder Lindsey Horan to Olympique Lyonnais, where she had been on loan since January 2022.[24] Lyon paid a transfer fee of €250,000 (US$274,000) with a conditional bonus of an additional €50,000 (US$54,750).[25]
Stadium and facilities edit
Thorns FC continued to play and train in Providence Park, their home since the team's inaugural season in 2013.
Player criticism edit
In an interview with ESPN on July 13, 2023, midfielder Lindsey Horan — who transferred from the Thorns to Olympique Lyon midseason while still on loan — cited the team's lack of a dedicated training facility compared to the Timbers, and lack of grass pitches for training and playing, in her decision to remain in France.[26] Active Thorns players Meghan Klingenberg and Bella Bixby added public criticism of the Providence Park surface and Thorns's lack of training facility to The Oregonian on July 20.[27]
Broadcasting edit
Local Fox Broadcasting Company affiliate station KPTV agreed to stream eight regular season Thorns FC matches locally via FOX 12 PLUS. These were in addition to the league's national broadcast and streaming agreements with CBS and Paramount+ in the United States, and with The Sports Network in Canada.[28]
Team edit
Staff edit
- As of April 1, 2023.[29]
| Technical | |
|---|---|
| General manager President of Thorns FC operations |
 Karina LeBlanc
|
| Head coach |  Mike Norris
|
| Assistant coach |  Rob Gale
|
| Assistant coach | Katie Quinlan
|
| Assistant coach |  Vytautas Andriuškevičius[30]
|
| Goalkeeper coach |  Nadine Angerer
|
| Medical | |
| Assistant athletic trainer | Kelly Strasser |
| Performance specialist | Tom Milroy |
| Director of scouting and recruiting Youth sporting director |
Mike Smith |
| Head physician | Breanne Brown |
Squad edit
- As of July 20, 2023.[31]
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | Date of birth (age) | Since | Previous team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK |  USA |
Bella Bixby | November 20, 1995 (aged 27) | 2018 | Oregon State
|
|
| 18 | GK | USA |
Shelby Hogan | May 10, 1998 (aged 24) | 2021 | Providence College
|
|
| 29 | GK | USA |
Lauren Kozal | July 11, 2000 (aged 22) | 2023 | Michigan State
|
|
| 51 | GK | USA |
Lindsey Harris | November 19, 1993 (aged 29) | 2023 |  S.F. Damaiense
|
GKR[a] |
| 48 | DF | USA |
Kayla Morrison | August 5, 1996 (aged 26) | 2023 |  Melbourne Victory FC
|
NTRP[b] |
| 2 | DF |  MEX |
Reyna Reyes | February 16, 2001 (aged 22) | 2023 | Alabama
|
|
| 4 | DF | USA |
Becky Sauerbrunn | June 6, 1985 (aged 37) | 2020 | Utah Royals FC
|
|
| 5 | DF | USA |
Emily Menges | July 28, 1992 (aged 30) | 2014 | Georgetown
|
|
| 14 | DF |  FIN |
Natalia Kuikka | December 1, 1995 (aged 27) | 2020 |  Kopparberg/Göteborg FC
|
INT[c] |
| 20 | DF | USA |
Kelli Hubly | August 9, 1994 (aged 28) | 2017 | DePaul
|
|
| 25 | DF | USA |
Meghan Klingenberg | August 2, 1988 (aged 34) | 2015 | Orlando Pride
|
|
| 29 | DF | USA |
Tegan McGrady | October 11, 1997 (aged 25) | 2022 | San Diego Wave FC
|
|
| 39 | DF | USA |
Meaghan Nally | June 30, 1998 (aged 24) | 2020 | Georgetown
|
|
| 45 | DF | USA |
Natalie Beckman | March 25, 2000 (aged 23) | 2022 | Denver
|
|
| 8 | MF |  JPN |
Hina Sugita | January 31, 1997 (aged 26) | 2022 | INAC Kobe Leonessa
|
INT[c] |
| 11 | MF |  CRC |
Raquel Rodríguez | October 28, 1993 (aged 29) | 2020 | Sky Blue FC
|
|
| 13 | MF | USA |
Olivia Moultrie | September 17, 2005 (aged 17) | 2021 | Beach FC
|
|
| 17 | MF | USA |
Sam Coffey | December 31, 1998 (aged 24) | 2021 | Penn State
|
|
| 19 | MF | USA |
Crystal Dunn | July 3, 1992 (aged 30) | 2020 | North Carolina Courage[d]
|
|
| 44 | MF | USA |
Gabby Provenzano | August 7, 1999 (aged 23) | 2022 | Rutgers
|
|
| 46 | MF | USA |
Taylor Porter | September 29, 1997 (aged 25) | 2021 |  UDG Tenerife
|
|
| 50 | MF |  COL |
Isabel Dehakiz | July 19, 2000 (aged 22) | 2023 | Deportivo Cali
|
NTRP[b] |
| 9 | FW | USA |
Sophia Smith | August 10, 2000 (aged 22) | 2020 | Stanford
|
|
| 12 | FW | CAN |
Christine Sinclair | June 12, 1983 (aged 39) | 2013 | Western New York Flash
|
|
| 15 | FW | USA |
Michele Vasconcelos | May 11, 1994 (aged 28) | 2022 | Kansas City Current[e]
|
|
| 16 | FW | CAN |
Janine Beckie | August 20, 1994 (aged 28) | 2022 | Manchester City W.F.C.
|
SEI[f][32] |
| 22 | FW | USA |
Morgan Weaver | October 18, 1997 (aged 25) | 2020 | Washington State
|
|
| 24 | FW | USA |
Izzy D'Aquila | September 8, 2001 (aged 21) | 2023 | Santa Clara
|
|
| 33 | FW | USA |
Hannah Betfort | January 4, 1999 (aged 24) | 2021 | Wake Forest
|
|
| 49 | FW | USA |
Alyssa Walker | November 30, 1997 (aged 25) | 2023 |  SK Brann
|
LOAN[g] |
Competitions edit
NWSL Challenge Cup edit
Portland finished second in the West Division during the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup and did not advance. Thorns FC returned to the West Division in the 2023 tournament.
Group stage edit
| April 19, 2023 | San Diego Wave FC | 1–0 | Portland Thorns FC | San Diego, California |
| 7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium Attendance: 9,504 Referee: Brandon Stevis |
| May 31, 2023 | Portland Thorns FC | 3–2 | Angel City FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 16,429 Referee: Adorae Monroy |
| June 28, 2023 | Portland Thorns FC | 0–1 | OL Reign | Portland, Oregon |
| 7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) |
|
Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 16,252 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
| July 21, 2023 | Portland Thorns FC | 4–1 | San Diego Wave FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) |
|
Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 16,393 Referee: Ricardo Fierro |
| July 29, 2023 | Angel City FC | 2–1 | Portland Thorns FC | Los Angeles, California |
| 7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: BMO Stadium Attendance: 13,154 Referee: Brandon Stevis |
| August 6, 2023 | OL Reign | 0–0 | Portland Thorns FC | Seattle, Washington |
| 3:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: Lumen Field Attendance: 12,061 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
West Division standings edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | T | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | RGN | LA | POR | SD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OL Reign | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 14 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 0–0 | 0–0 | 1–0 | |
| 2 | Angel City FC | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | −1 | 8 | 0–2 | — | 2–1 | 2–1 | ||
| 3 | Portland Thorns FC | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 7 | 0–1 | 3–2 | — | 4–1 | ||
| 4 | San Diego Wave FC | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 11 | −7 | 4 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–0 | — |
Source: NWSL
Results by matchday edit
Updated to match(es) played on July 21, 2022. Source: NWSL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Regular season edit
Matches edit
| March 28, 2023 1 | Portland Thorns FC | 4–0 | Orlando Pride | Portland, Oregon |
| 2:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) |
|
Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 15,204 Referee: Eric Tattersall |
| April 1, 2023 2 | Kansas City Current | 1–4 | Portland Thorns FC | Kansas City, Kansas |
| 11:30 a.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Children's Mercy Park Attendance: 11,301 Referee: Natalie Simon |
| April 14, 2023 3 | Portland Thorns FC | 1–1 | Houston Dash | Portland, Oregon |
| 7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report |
|
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 15,657 Referee: Alex Billeter |
| April 22, 2023 4 | Portland Thorns FC | 2–0 | Racing Louisville FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 14,972 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
| April 29, 2023 5 | Portland Thorns FC | 3–3 | Angel City FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 16,938 Referee: Elton Garcia |
| May 6, 2023 6 | North Carolina Courage | 3–3 | Portland Thorns FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) | Report |
|
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 7,070 Referee: Alyssa Nichols |
| May 12, 2023 7 | Houston Dash | 2–1 | Portland Thorns FC | Houston, Texas |
| 7:30 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 4,638 Referee: Katja Koroleva |
| May 21, 2023 8 | Portland Thorns FC | 4–0 | Chicago Red Stars | Portland, Oregon |
| 2:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report |
|
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 20,402 Referee: Tori Penso |
| May 26, 2023 9 | San Diego Wave FC | 1–1 | Portland Thorns FC | San Diego, California |
| 7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium Attendance: 18,130 Referee: Elton García |
| June 3, 2023 10 | OL Reign | 0–2 | Portland Thorns FC | Seattle, Washington |
| 5:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | NWSL report ESPN report |
Stadium: Lumen Field Attendance: 42,054 Referee: Brad Jensen |
| June 11, 2023 11 | Orlando Pride | 3–1 | Portland Thorns FC | Orlando, Florida |
| 7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) |
|
Report | Stadium: Exploria Stadium Attendance: 7,319 Referee: Danielle Chesky |
| June 18, 2023 12 | Chicago Red Stars | 2–3 | Portland Thorns FC | Bridgeview, Illinois |
| 5:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) |
|
Report | Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium Attendance: 3,655 Referee: Anya Voigt |
| June 23, 2023 13 | Portland Thorns FC | 4–2 | Washington Spirit | Portland, Oregon |
| 7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 20,254 Referee: Katja Koroleva |
| July 1, 2023 14 | Portland Thorns FC | 0–1 | Kansas City Current | Portland, Oregon |
| 7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) |
|
Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 17,796 Referee: Tori Penso |
| July 9, 2023 15 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 2–1 | Portland Thorns FC | Harrison, New Jersey |
| 5:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) | Report |
|
Stadium: Red Bull Arena Attendance: 3,923 Referee: Greg Dopka |
| August 20, 2023 16 | Portland Thorns FC | 2–1 | North Carolina Courage | Portland, Oregon |
| 7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Hubly  17'
Belfort  69' |
Report | Materazzi 19' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 22,107 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
| August 27, 2023 17 | Washington Spirit | 1–1 | Portland Thorns FC | Washington, D.C. |
| 5:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) | Hatch 90+2', penalty |
Report | Weaver 64' |
Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 13,048 Referee: Jeremy Scheer |
| September 2, 2023 18 | Racing Louisville FC | 2–1 | Portland Thorns FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) | Report | Weaver 6' |
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 5,778 Referee: Karen Callado |
| September 16, 2023 19 | Portland Thorns FC | 2–0 | OL Reign | Portland, Oregon |
| 7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 25,218 Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva |
| September 30, 2023 20 | Portland Thorns FC | 0–2 | San Diego Wave FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 19,947 Referee: Calin Radosav |
| October 7, 2023 21 | Portland Thorns FC | 1-0 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 2:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Hina Sugita 54' |
Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 19,599 Referee: Danielle Chesky |
| October 15, 2023 22 | Angel City FC | 5-1 | Portland Thorns FC | Los Angeles, California |
| 2:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report |
|
Stadium: BMO Stadium Attendance: 22,000 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
Regular season standings edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego Wave FC (S) | 22 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 31 | 22 | +9 | 37 | Playoff semifinals |
| 2 | Portland Thorns FC | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 42 | 32 | +10 | 35 | |
| 3 | North Carolina Courage | 22 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 29 | 22 | +7 | 33 | Playoff quarterfinals |
| 4 | OL Reign | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 29 | 24 | +5 | 32 | |
| 5 | Angel City FC | 22 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 31 | 30 | +1 | 31 | |
| 6 | NJ/NY Gotham FC (C) | 22 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 25 | 24 | +1 | 31 | |
| 7 | Orlando Pride | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 27 | 28 | −1 | 31 | |
| 8 | Washington Spirit | 22 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 26 | 29 | −3 | 30 | |
| 9 | Racing Louisville FC | 22 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 25 | 24 | +1 | 27 | |
| 10 | Houston Dash | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 18 | −2 | 26 | |
| 11 | Kansas City Current | 22 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 30 | 36 | −6 | 26 | |
| 12 | Chicago Red Stars | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 28 | 50 | −22 | 24 |
Results summary edit
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 42 | 32 | +10 | 35 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 10 | +13 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 19 | 22 | −3 |
Last updated: July 9, 2023.
Source: NWSLsoccer.com
Results by matchday edit
Updated to match(es) played on July 9, 2023. Source: NWSL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Playoffs edit
| November 5, 2023 Semi-finals | Portland Thorns FC | 0-1 (a.e.t.) | NJ/NY Gotham FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 4:00 p.m. PST | Hina Sugita  81' |
[1] | Martin 40' Nighswonger 70'López 90+3'Krieger 96'Stengel 107' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 25,218 Referee: Danielle Chesky |
Statistics edit
- As of matches played July 21, 2023.[33]
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | NWSL | Cup | Playoffs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | FW | USA |
Sophia Smith | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 22 | FW | USA |
Morgan Weaver | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 19 | MF | USA |
Crystal Dunn | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 33 | FW | USA |
Hannah Betfort | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | FW | CAN |
Christine Sinclair | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | MF | JPN |
Hina Sugita | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 13 | MF | USA |
Olivia Moultrie | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 | DF | MEX |
Reyna Reyes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 15 | FW | USA |
Michele Vasconcelos | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 1 | GK | USA |
Bella Bixby | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 24 | FW | USA |
Izzy D'Aquila | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 20 | DF | USA |
Kelli Hubly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 14 | DF | FIN |
Natalia Kuikka | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | MF | CRC |
Raquel Rodríguez | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 30 | 7 | 0 | 37 | |||
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | NWSL | Cup | Playoffs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | MF | USA |
Sam Coffey | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 25 | DF | USA |
Meghan Klingenberg | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 15 | FW | USA |
Sophia Smith | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 13 | MF | USA |
Olivia Moultrie | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | MF | JPN |
Hina Sugita | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 22 | FW | USA |
Morgan Weaver | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 19 | MF | USA |
Crystal Dunn | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 14 | DF | FIN |
Natalia Kuikka | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 12 | FW | CAN |
Christine Sinclair | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 33 | FW | USA |
Hannah Betfort | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 24 | FW | USA |
Izzy D'Aquila | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 27 | 6 | 0 | 33 | |||
| No. | Pos. | Ntn. | Name | NWSL | Cup | Playoffs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | USA |
Bella Bixby | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||
| Player | NWSL | Cup | Playoffs | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 20 | DF | USA |
Kelli Hubly | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | FIN |
Natalia Kuikka | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 39 | DF | USA |
Meaghan Nally | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1 | GK | USA |
Bella Bixby | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | USA |
Sophia Smith | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | JPN |
Hina Sugita | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | USA |
Sam Coffey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | USA |
Meghan Klingenberg | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 46 | MF | USA |
Taylor Porter | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | FW | USA |
Michele Vasconcelos | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 22 | FW | USA |
Morgan Weaver | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 17 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | |||
Awards edit
- As of July 5, 2023.
NWSL monthly awards edit
| Month | Pos. | Nat. | Name | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March/April | DF | USA |
Becky Sauerbrunn | [34] |
| MF | USA |
Crystal Dunn | ||
| FW | USA |
Sophia Smith | ||
| May | MF | USA |
Crystal Dunn (2) | [35] |
| June | MF | USA |
Sam Coffey | [36] |
| FW | USA |
Sophia Smith (2) |
| Month | Player of the Month | Statline | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Nat. | Name | |||
| March/April | FW | USA |
Sophia Smith | Hat-trick vs. KC; 4 goals, 4 assists | [37] |
| June | FW | USA |
Sophia Smith (2) | Hat-trick vs. WAS; 6 goals | [38] |
NWSL weekly awards edit
| Wk. | Player of the Week | Ref. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Nat. | Name | Won | ||
| 1 | FW | USA |
Sophia Smith | Nom. | [39] |
| 2 | FW | USA |
Sophia Smith | Won | [40] |
| 6 | MF | USA |
Crystal Dunn | Won | [41] |
| 8 | MF | USA |
Sam Coffey | Nom. | [42] |
| 10 | FW | USA |
Morgan Weaver | 2nd | [43] |
| 13 | FW | USA |
Sophia Smith (2) | Won | [44] |
| Wk. | Save of the Week | Ref. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Nat. | Name | Won | ||
| 4 | GK | USA |
Bella Bixby | Nom. | [45] |
| 6 | [46] | ||||
| 9 | [47] | ||||
| 10 | [48] | ||||
| 13 | GK | USA |
Shelby Hogan | Nom. | [49] |
Transactions edit
2023 NWSL Draft edit
Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2023 NWSL Draft was held on January 12, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| R | P | Pos. | Nat. | Player | College | Status | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | DF
|
MEX |
Reyna Reyes | University of Alabama | Signed through 2024 with an option for 2025 on March 25, 2023. | [50][51] |
| 12 | FW
|
USA |
Izzy D'Aquila | Santa Clara University | Signed through 2025 with an option for 2026 on March 15, 2023. | [51][52] | |
| 2 | 24 | FW
|
USA |
Lauren DeBeau | Michigan State University | Not signed, rights released. | [53] |
| 3 | 32 | GK
|
USA |
Lauren Kozal | Michigan State University | Signed through 2023 with an option for 2024 on March 15, 2023. | [51][52] |
Contract options edit
| Date | Pos. | Nat. | Player | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 1, 2022 | FW
|
CAN |
Christine Sinclair | Option exercised. | [51] |
| November 15, 2022 | DF
|
USA |
Natalie Beckman | Option exercised. | [51] |
MF
|
USA |
Taylor Porter | |||
MF
|
USA |
Gabby Provenzano | |||
FW
|
USA |
Marissa Everett | Option declined; player retired. |
Re-signings edit
| Date | Pos. | Nat. | Player | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2022 | DF
|
USA |
Becky Sauerbrunn | Free agent re-signed through 2023. | [51][54] |
| November 8, 2022 | MF
|
CRC |
Raquel Rodríguez | Re-signed through 2025. | [51][55] |
| November 10, 2022 | MF
|
USA |
Sam Coffey | Signed a contract extension through 2025. | [51][56] |
| November 15, 2022 | MF
|
USA |
Morgan Weaver | Signed a contract extension through 2024 with an option for 2025. | [51][57] |
| January 27, 2023 | DF
|
USA |
Tegan McGrady | Re-signed through 2023 with an option for 2024. | [51][58] |
FW
|
USA |
Michele Vasconcelos | Free agent re-signed through 2023 with an option for 2024. | ||
FW
|
USA |
Hannah Betfort | Re-signed through 2024 with an option for 2025. | ||
DF
|
USA |
Meaghan Nally | Re-signed through 2024 with an option for 2025. | ||
GK
|
USA |
Shelby Hogan | Re-signed through 2025 with an option for 2026. |
Loans in edit
| Date | Pos. | Nat. | Player | Previous club | Fee/notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 13, 2023 | FW |
CAN |
Adriana Leon | Manchester United
|
Signed for a short-term loan through June 30, 2023. | [9] |
| July 20, 2023 | FW |
USA |
Alyssa Walker | SK Brann Kvinner
|
Signed for a short-term loan with fee until September 1, 2023. | [59] |
Loans out edit
| Date | Pos. | Nat. | Player | Destination club | Fee/notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2023 | MF |
USA |
Lindsey Horan |  Olympique Lyonnais Féminin
|
Loaned until June 30, 2023. | [60] |
Transfers in edit
| Date | Pos. | Nat. | Player | Previous club | Fee/notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 29, 2023 | DF |
USA |
Kayla Morrison | Melbourne Victory FC
|
Signed to a short-term National Team Replacement Player contract. | [61] |
| July 6, 2023 | MF |
COL |
Isabel Dehakiz | Deportivo Cali
|
Signed to a short-term National Team Replacement Player contract. | [62] |
| July 20, 2023 | GK |
USA |
Lindsey Harris | S.F. Damaiense
|
Signed to a short-term Goalkeeper Replacement contract due to a knee injury to Lauren Kozal. | [59] |
| September 20, 2023 | DF |
 DEN |
Rikke Sevecke | Everton
|
Signed for remainder of 2023 with a team option for the 2024 season. | [63] |
Transfers out edit
| Date | Pos. | Nat. | Player | Destination club | Fee/notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 28, 2022 | GK
|
USA |
Abby Smith | NJ/NY Gotham FC
|
Unrestricted free agent signing. | [64] |
| January 5, 2023 | MF
|
USA |
Yazmeen Ryan | NJ/NY Gotham FC[a]
|
Traded to Angel City FC in exchange for the fifth-overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, a second-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, and $200,000 in allocation money. As part of the transaction, Ryan was traded by Angel City to Gotham FC with $250,000 in allocation money in exchange for the first-overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. | [65] |
| June 22, 2023 | MF
|
USA |
Lindsey Horan | Olympique Lyon
|
Transferred for a transfer fee of €250,000 with a conditional €50,000 bonus. | [25] |
Retirements edit
| Date | Pos. | Nat. | Player | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 28, 2022 | FW
|
USA |
Marissa Everett | [66] |
- ^ Rights acquired via Angel City FC.
References edit
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Health-wise, physically, I wanted to be in a place where I could be training on grass every single day as well. It's a major component that's not seen as much in the NWSL, and where certain teams are training, and especially in Portland. I would hate myself if I didn't say that because they deserve better as well. ... They need to have a facility for the women as well. How do the Timbers have it but the Thorns don't?
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