PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish, the City Council and Portland Mayor Charlie Hales proclaimed Wednesday, April 10, as a day of recognition for Portland Thorns FC this morning at City Hall.
The proclamation – drafted and read by Commissioner Fish and signed by Mayor Hales – noted the impact of Portland Thorns FC on the local sports community, the presence of already strong ties to the area through former University of Portland standouts Christine Sinclair, Danielle Foxhoven and Angie Kerr, as well as the effect of Thorns FC players in the community as role models on and off the field for more than 10,000 youth soccer players in the area.
Sinclair, Foxhoven, head coach Cindy Parlow Cone and chief operating officer Mike Golub were present at City Hall for the proclamation.
Thorns FC, the city’s third professional sports team along with the Portland Timbers (MLS) and Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), are preparing for the inaugural match of the National Women’s Soccer League on Saturday, April 13, against FC Kansas City at Shawnee Mission District Stadium in Overland Park, Kan. The team makes its home debut on April 21 against Seattle Reign FC at JELD-WEN Field.
The Proclamation:
Whereas, the United States National Women’s Soccer League was officially launched in November 2012; and
Whereas, the City of Portland is honored to welcome our own professional women’s soccer team, Portland Thorns FC, to the Rose City; and
Whereas, on April 13, 2013 the Thorns will play their season-opening match against FC Kansas City; and
Whereas, they will play their first season home match at JELD-WEN Field on April 21, 2013 against the Seattle Reign; and
Whereas, the Portland Thorns include world-class athletes from the U.S. Women’s National Team, the Canadian National Team, and the University of Portland Pilots; and
Whereas, Portland’s passion for soccer at the recreation, youth, adult, club, high school, college and professional levels has earned us a national reputation as “Soccer City USA”; and
Whereas, members of the Portland Thorns are an inspiration to young athletes across America, including more than 10,000 youth soccer players in Portland, serving as role models on and off the pitch;
Now, therefore, I, Charlie Hales, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses” and “Soccer City USA” do herby proclaim April 10, 2013 to be a day of recognition for Portland Thorns FC in Portland, and encourage all residents to observe this day.
