PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (Germany), defender Steph Catley (Australia) and forward Jodie Taylor (England) were all named to the rosters of their respective national teams for international friendlies from April 7-9.
Angerer and Germany play host to Brazil on April 9 at 9 a.m. (Pacific). Catley and the Matildas play a pair of matches in Europe against Austria on April 7 at 9 a.m. (Pacific) and Scotland on April 9 at 6:30 a.m. (Pacific), while Taylor and England play host to China on April 9 at 11:30 a.m. (Pacific).
The captain of the Germany Women’s National Team, Angerer, 36, has 137 international caps and was named to the 10-player shortlist for the 2014 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award after winning the award in 2013. In her first season with Thorns FC, Angerer appeared in 22 matches (all starts) during the 2014 NWSL regular season, finishing her first season in Portland ranked fourth in the league in saves (74) and shutouts (4).
Catley, 21, and the Australia Women’s National Team remained in Europe following the Cyprus Cup for an extended training camp in preparation for their upcoming friendlies. The Thorns FC defender has 30 international caps and started in all four matches for the Matildas during the Cyprus Cup. A NWSL Second XI selection, Catley was a midseason addition to Thorns FC in 2014, appearing in 14 matches (13 starts), recording five assists.
Taylor, 28, who has seven caps with the England Women’s National Team, helped lead the Three Lionesses to the Cyprus Cup title, earning a 1-0 win in the championship match against Canada. At the Cyprus Cup, Taylor tallied her first international goal, a hat-trick in a 3-0 win against Australia. A NWSL Second XI selection in 2014, Taylor recorded 11 goals and two assists in her first season in the NWSL with the Washington Spirit.
Angerer and Taylor will return to Portland following their international friendlies ahead of the team’s opening match of the 2015 NWSL season against the Boston Breakers on April 11, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
