Thorns FC announce 2013 season-opening roster

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC today announced the team’s season-opening roster for the 2013 National Women’s Soccer League campaign.

Led by head coach Cindy Parlow Cone, a two-time Olympic gold medalist with 158 career appearances and 75 goals for the U.S. Women’s National Team, and assistant coaches John Galas and Nate Berry, Thorns FC enter the regular season with a deep and experienced roster, featuring a total of 15 players with experience at the youth or senior national team level for the United States or Canada.

The current 18-player roster is highlighted by two of the most recognizable women’s soccer players in the world – U.S. Women’s National Team standout Alex Morgan and high-scoring Canada Women’s National Team forward Christine Sinclair. Morgan, a member of the gold medal-winning London 2012 Olympics squad for the United States, has scored 42 goals in 64 games since earning her first senior national team appearance in 2010. Sinclair, the leading scorer in University of Portland women’s soccer history, ranks third on the all-time international scoring list with 145 goals. Both Morgan and Sinclair were finalists for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d’Or, the award given to the world’s top soccer player each year.

Rachel Buehler, a key defender for the United States, and veteran Canadian goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc bring added experience to the roster as each has played more than 100 times for their respective national teams. U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Tobin Heath is not listed on the current roster, but is expected to join the team following the completion of her contract with French side Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Additionally, the roster features NWSL Supplemental Draft picks Angie Kerr and Marian Dougherty, both recent signings who have earned caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Free agent signings Allie Long, Nikki Marshall, Nikki Washington and Becky Edwards – all of whom have experience with the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team – make up some of the club’s more experienced professional players. 

Native Texans and former University of Florida defenders Jazmyne Avant (Discovery Player) and Kathryn Williamson (eighth overall pick in the NWSL Draft), underscore a complement of young talent on the Thorns FC roster. All 24-years-old or younger, Avant and Williamson join midfielders Meleana Shim (Discovery Player) and Courtney Wetzel (Discover Player), forwards Danielle Foxhoven (Discover Player) and Jessica Shufelt (NWSL Supplemental Draft) and goalkeeper Adelaide Gay (Discovery Player) rounding out the team’s core of young players.

Dougherty, Kerr, Williamson, Shim, Wetzel, Shufelt, Gay and Emilee O’Neil all recently signed with the team. Forward Nicolette Radovcic and goalkeeper Roxanne Barker – NWSL Draft picks in the second and fourth rounds, respectively – were waived.

Portland Thorns FC start the 2013 NWSL regular season on Saturday, April 13, against FC Kansas City at Shawnee Mission District Stadium in Overland Park, Kan.; kickoff is set for 5:35 p.m. (Pacific). Thorns FC return to the Rose City for the team’s home-opening match against Seattle Reign FC on Sunday, April 21 at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. (Pacific).

Single-game tickets for all Thorns FC home games are available at the JELD-WEN Field box office. Fans also will be able to purchase tickets, starting at $12, for all 11 of the team’s regular-season NWSL home matches online at www.portlandthornsFC.com or by calling (888) 736-6849. The JELD-WEN Field box office is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Group opportunities for Thorns FC matches are available by contacting the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@portlandtimbers.com. Additional group information can be found at www.portlandtimbers.com/thornsfc/thorns-group-outings.