2023 Portland Thorns FC season

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Portland Thorns FC
2023 season
A view from the stands of Providence Park of Portland Thorns, in black football kit, and Chicago Red Stars, in white football kit, playing in front of an audience
Thorns at home vs. Chicago on May 21
OwnerMerritt Paulson
General managerKarina LeBlanc
Head coachMike Norris
StadiumProvidence Park
(capacity: 25,218)
League2nd
Challenge CupGroup stage
PlayoffsSemifinals
Top goalscorerSophia Smith
(10 goals)
Highest home attendance25,218
(September 16 vs. OLR)
Lowest home attendance14,972
(Apr 22 vs. LOU)
Average home league attendance18,815
Biggest win4–0
(Mar 26 vs. ORL)
(May 21 vs. CHI)
Biggest defeat1–3
(Jun 11 vs. ORL)
← 2022
2024 →
All statistics correct as of July 21, 2023.

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.

Background[edit]

See also: 2022 Portland Thorns FC season

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]

The Thorns' May 21 home match against Chicago Red Stars drew 20,402 in attendance, the team's largest regular-season attendance since 2019.

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 United States USA Bella Bixby (1995-11-20)November 20, 1995 (aged 27) 2018 United States Oregon State
18 GK United States USA Shelby Hogan (1998-05-10)May 10, 1998 (aged 24) 2021 United States Providence College
29 GK United States USA Lauren Kozal (2000-07-11)July 11, 2000 (aged 22) 2023 United States Michigan State
51 GK United States USA Lindsey Harris (1993-11-19)November 19, 1993 (aged 29) 2023 Portugal S.F. Damaiense GKR[a]
48 DF United States USA Kayla Morrison (1996-08-05)August 5, 1996 (aged 26) 2023 Australia Melbourne Victory FC NTRP[b]
2 DF Mexico MEX Reyna Reyes (2001-02-16)February 16, 2001 (aged 22) 2023 United States Alabama
4 DF United States USA Becky Sauerbrunn (1985-06-06)June 6, 1985 (aged 37) 2020 United States Utah Royals FC
5 DF United States USA Emily Menges (1992-07-28)July 28, 1992 (aged 30) 2014 United States Georgetown
14 DF Finland FIN Natalia Kuikka (1995-12-01)December 1, 1995 (aged 27) 2020 Sweden Kopparberg/Göteborg FC INT[c]
20 DF United States USA Kelli Hubly (1994-08-09)August 9, 1994 (aged 28) 2017 United States DePaul
25 DF United States USA Meghan Klingenberg (1988-08-02)August 2, 1988 (aged 34) 2015 United States Orlando Pride
29 DF United States USA Tegan McGrady (1997-10-11)October 11, 1997 (aged 25) 2022 United States San Diego Wave FC
39 DF United States USA Meaghan Nally (1998-06-30)June 30, 1998 (aged 24) 2020 United States Georgetown
45 DF United States USA Natalie Beckman (2000-03-25)March 25, 2000 (aged 23) 2022 United States Denver
8 MF Japan JPN Hina Sugita (1997-01-31)January 31, 1997 (aged 26) 2022 Japan INAC Kobe Leonessa INT[c]
11 MF Costa Rica CRC Raquel Rodríguez (1993-10-28)October 28, 1993 (aged 29) 2020 United States Sky Blue FC
13 MF United States USA Olivia Moultrie (2005-09-17)September 17, 2005 (aged 17) 2021 United States Beach FC
17 MF United States USA Sam Coffey (1998-12-31)December 31, 1998 (aged 24) 2021 United States Penn State
19 MF United States USA Crystal Dunn (1992-07-03)July 3, 1992 (aged 30) 2020 United States North Carolina Courage[d]
44 MF United States USA Gabby Provenzano (1999-08-07)August 7, 1999 (aged 23) 2022 United States Rutgers
46 MF United States USA Taylor Porter (1997-09-29)September 29, 1997 (aged 25) 2021 Spain UDG Tenerife
50 MF Colombia COL Isabel Dehakiz (2000-07-19)July 19, 2000 (aged 22) 2023 Colombia Deportivo Cali NTRP[b]
9 FW United States USA Sophia Smith (2000-08-10)August 10, 2000 (aged 22) 2020 United States Stanford
12 FW Canada CAN Christine Sinclair (1983-06-12)June 12, 1983 (aged 39) 2013 United States Western New York Flash
15 FW United States USA Michele Vasconcelos (1994-05-11)May 11, 1994 (aged 28) 2022 United States Kansas City Current[e]
16 FW Canada CAN Janine Beckie (1994-08-20)August 20, 1994 (aged 28) 2022 England Manchester City W.F.C. SEI[f][32]
22 FW United States USA Morgan Weaver (1997-10-18)October 18, 1997 (aged 25) 2020 United States Washington State
24 FW United States USA Izzy D'Aquila (2001-09-08)September 8, 2001 (aged 21) 2023 United States Santa Clara
33 FW United States USA Hannah Betfort (1999-01-04)January 4, 1999 (aged 24) 2021 United States Wake Forest
49 FW United States USA Alyssa Walker (1997-11-30)November 30, 1997 (aged 25) 2023 Norway SK Brann LOAN[g]
  1. ^ GKR: Goalkeeper Replacement signing
  2. ^ a b NTRP: Short-term National Team Replacement Player signing
  3. ^ a b INT: International player
  4. ^ Rights acquired via OL Reign.
  5. ^ Rights acquired following loan to Sevilla FC.
  6. ^ SEI: Season-ending injury
  7. ^ Signed to a short-term loan until September 1, 2023.

Competitions[edit]

NWSL Challenge Cup[edit]

Main article: 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup

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 (2023-04-19) 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 (2023-05-31) 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 (2023-06-28) 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 (2023-07-21) 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 (2023-07-29) 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 (2023-08-06) 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]

Matchday123456
StadiumAHHHAA
ResultLWLWLD
Position32323
Updated to match(es) played on July 21, 2022. Source: NWSL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Regular season[edit]

Main article: 2023 National Women's Soccer League season

Matches[edit]

March 28, 2023 (2023-03-28) 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 (2023-04-01) 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 (2023-04-14) 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 (2023-04-22) 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 (2023-04-29) 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 (2023-05-06) 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 (2023-05-12) 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 (2023-05-21) 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 (2023-05-26) 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 (2023-06-03) 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 (2023-06-11) 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 (2023-06-18) 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 (2023-06-23) 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 (2023-07-01) 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 (2023-07-09) 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 (2023-08-20) 16 Portland Thorns FC 2–1 North Carolina Courage Portland, Oregon
7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) Hubly Red card 17'

Belfort 41'

Smith 69'		 Report Materazzi 19' Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 22,107
Referee: Matthew Thompson
August 27, 2023 (2023-08-27) 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 (2023-09-02) 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 (2023-09-16) 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 (2023-09-30) 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 (2023-10-07) 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 (2023-10-15) 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
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champions; (S) NWSL Shield

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]

Matchday12345678910111213141516171819202122
StadiumHAHHHAAHAAAAHHAHAAHHHA
ResultWWDWDDLWDWLWWLLWDLWLWL
Position1111124221321222
Updated to match(es) played on July 9, 2023. Source: NWSL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Playoffs[edit]

Further information: 2023 NWSL season § Playoffs
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 Yellow card 81' [1] Martin Yellow card 40'
Nighswonger Yellow card 70'
López Yellow card 90+3'
Krieger Yellow card 96'
Stengel 107'		 Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 25,218
Referee: Danielle Chesky

Statistics[edit]

As of matches played July 21, 2023.[33]
Goalscorers per competition
No. Pos. Nat. Name NWSL Cup Playoffs Total
9 FW United States USA Sophia Smith 10 0 0 10
22 FW United States USA Morgan Weaver 4 2 0 6
19 MF United States USA Crystal Dunn 5 0 0 5
33 FW United States USA Hannah Betfort 1 2 0 3
12 FW Canada CAN Christine Sinclair 3 0 0 3
8 MF Japan JPN Hina Sugita 3 0 0 3
13 MF United States USA Olivia Moultrie 2 0 0 2
2 DF Mexico MEX Reyna Reyes 1 1 0 2
15 FW United States USA Michele Vasconcelos 1 1 0 2
1 GK United States USA Bella Bixby 1 0 0 1
24 FW United States USA Izzy D'Aquila 0 1 0 1
20 DF United States USA Kelli Hubly 1 0 0 1
14 DF Finland FIN Natalia Kuikka 1 0 0 1
11 MF Costa Rica CRC Raquel Rodríguez 1 0 0 1
Total 30 7 0 37
Assists credited by player, per competition
No. Pos. Nat. Name NWSL Cup Playoffs Total
17 MF United States USA Sam Coffey 6 0 0 6
25 DF United States USA Meghan Klingenberg 3 2 0 5
15 FW United States USA Sophia Smith 5 0 0 5
13 MF United States USA Olivia Moultrie 2 1 0 3
8 MF Japan JPN Hina Sugita 3 0 0 3
22 FW United States USA Morgan Weaver 3 0 0 3
19 MF United States USA Crystal Dunn 2 0 0 2
14 DF Finland FIN Natalia Kuikka 2 0 0 2
12 FW Canada CAN Christine Sinclair 1 1 0 2
33 FW United States USA Hannah Betfort 0 1 0 1
24 FW United States USA Izzy D'Aquila 0 1 0 1
Total 27 6 0 33
Clean sheets per competition
No. Pos. Ntn. Name NWSL Cup Playoffs Total
1 GK United States USA Bella Bixby 4 0 0 4
Total 4 0 0 4
Disciplinary cards per competition
Player NWSL Cup Playoffs Total
No. Pos. Nat. Name Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card
20 DF United States USA Kelli Hubly 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
14 DF Finland FIN Natalia Kuikka 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
39 DF United States USA Meaghan Nally 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
1 GK United States USA Bella Bixby 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
9 FW United States USA Sophia Smith 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
8 MF Japan JPN Hina Sugita 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
17 MF United States USA Sam Coffey 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
25 DF United States USA Meghan Klingenberg 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
46 MF United States USA Taylor Porter 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
15 FW United States USA Michele Vasconcelos 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
22 FW United States 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]

Thorns FC players named to the Best XI of the Month
Month Pos. Nat. Name Ref.
March/April DF United States USA Becky Sauerbrunn [34]
MF United States USA Crystal Dunn
FW United States USA Sophia Smith
May MF United States USA Crystal Dunn (2) [35]
June MF United States USA Sam Coffey [36]
FW United States USA Sophia Smith (2)
Thorns FC players named NWSL Player of the Month
Month Player of the Month Statline Ref.
Pos. Nat. Name
March/April FW United States USA Sophia Smith Hat-trick vs. KC; 4 goals, 4 assists [37]
June FW United States USA Sophia Smith (2) Hat-trick vs. WAS; 6 goals [38]

NWSL weekly awards[edit]

Thorns FC players named NWSL Player of the Week
Wk. Player of the Week Ref.
Pos. Nat. Name Won
1 FW United States USA Sophia Smith Nom. [39]
2 FW United States USA Sophia Smith Won [40]
6 MF United States USA Crystal Dunn Won [41]
8 MF United States USA Sam Coffey Nom. [42]
10 FW United States USA Morgan Weaver 2nd [43]
13 FW United States USA Sophia Smith (2) Won [44]
Thorns FC players awarded NWSL Save of the Week
Wk. Save of the Week Ref.
Pos. Nat. Name Won
4 GK United States USA Bella Bixby Nom. [45]
6 [46]
9 [47]
10 [48]
13 GK United States USA Shelby Hogan Nom. [49]

Transactions[edit]

2023 NWSL Draft[edit]

Main article: 2023 NWSL Draft

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
 Mexico MEX Reyna Reyes University of Alabama Signed through 2024 with an option for 2025 on March 25, 2023. [50][51]
12
FW
 United States USA Izzy D'Aquila Santa Clara University Signed through 2025 with an option for 2026 on March 15, 2023. [51][52]
2 24
FW
 United States USA Lauren DeBeau Michigan State University Not signed, rights released. [53]
3 32
GK
 United States 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
 Canada CAN Christine Sinclair Option exercised. [51]
November 15, 2022
DF
 United States USA Natalie Beckman Option exercised. [51]
MF
 United States USA Taylor Porter
MF
 United States USA Gabby Provenzano
FW
 United States USA Marissa Everett Option declined; player retired.

Re-signings[edit]

Date Pos. Nat. Player Notes Ref.
September 30, 2022
DF
 United States USA Becky Sauerbrunn Free agent re-signed through 2023. [51][54]
November 8, 2022
MF
 Costa Rica CRC Raquel Rodríguez Re-signed through 2025. [51][55]
November 10, 2022
MF
 United States USA Sam Coffey Signed a contract extension through 2025. [51][56]
November 15, 2022
MF
 United States USA Morgan Weaver Signed a contract extension through 2024 with an option for 2025. [51][57]
January 27, 2023
DF
 United States USA Tegan McGrady Re-signed through 2023 with an option for 2024. [51][58]
FW
 United States USA Michele Vasconcelos Free agent re-signed through 2023 with an option for 2024.
FW
 United States USA Hannah Betfort Re-signed through 2024 with an option for 2025.
DF
 United States USA Meaghan Nally Re-signed through 2024 with an option for 2025.
GK
 United States 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
 Canada CAN Adriana Leon England Manchester United Signed for a short-term loan through June 30, 2023. [9]
July 20, 2023
FW
 United States USA Alyssa Walker Norway 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
 United States USA Lindsey Horan France 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
 United States USA Kayla Morrison Australia Melbourne Victory FC Signed to a short-term National Team Replacement Player contract. [61]
July 6, 2023
MF
 Colombia COL Isabel Dehakiz Colombia Deportivo Cali Signed to a short-term National Team Replacement Player contract. [62]
July 20, 2023
GK
 United States USA Lindsey Harris Portugal S.F. Damaiense Signed to a short-term Goalkeeper Replacement contract due to a knee injury to Lauren Kozal. [59]
September 20, 2023
DF
 Denmark DEN Rikke Sevecke England 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
 United States USA Abby Smith United States NJ/NY Gotham FC Unrestricted free agent signing. [64]
January 5, 2023
MF
 United States USA Yazmeen Ryan United States 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
 United States USA Lindsey Horan France 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
 United States USA Marissa Everett [66]
  1. ^ Rights acquired via Angel City FC.

References[edit]

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