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Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Announce 2014 Season-Opening Roster

April 7, 2014 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC today announced the team's season-opening roster for the 2014 National Women's Soccer League campaign.

Led by head coach Paul Riley, a two-time Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) Coach of the Year winner with a lengthy track record of coaching success at all levels, and assistant coaches Michael Demakis, Skip Thorp, Scot Thompson and goalkeeper coach Steve Reese, defending NWSL-champion Thorns FC enter the regular season with a deep and experienced roster, featuring eight returning players from last year's title-winning roster and a number of talented new additions.

The current roster is highlighted by a number of high-profile players, including two-time FIFA Women's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, high-scoring forwards Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair and experienced defender Rachel Van Hollebeke. Angerer, the 2013 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year and captain of the Germany Women's National Team, helped guide Germany to the 2013 UEFA Women's European Championship and more recently led Australian W-League club Brisbane Roar to the league's Grand Final before joining Thorns FC. Returning for a second season with Portland are standout forwards Morgan and Sinclair, both of whom scored eight goals in helping lead Thorns FC to the inaugural NWSL Championship. Van Hollebeke, who has earned more than 100 caps for the U.S. Women's National Team, also returns for her second season in Portland. All three players earned NWSL Best XI Second Team honors in 2013. New additions to the roster include Mexico Women's National Team forward Jackie Acevedo and midfielder Amber Brooks, who earned her first cap with the U.S. Women's National Team in 2013. Goalkeeper Michelle Betos and midfielder Sinead Farrelly have each earned time abroad playing in the UEFA Women's Champions League tournament, while experienced midfielder Sarah Huffman, versatile forward Jessica McDonald and defender Rebecca Moros also join Portland for their first season. NWSL College Draft picks Emily Menges and Elisabeth Sullivan are set to take part in their rookie campaigns with Portland.

Three players not listed on Portland's active roster are midfielder Tobin Heath, the NWSL Championship Game MVP who will join Thorns FC this summer following the completion of her contract with French side Paris Saint-Germain, new addition Verónica Boquete, a Spanish international and 2011 WPS Player of the Year, who will join the team this summer after competing in the 2013-14 UEFA Women's Champions League tournament with Swedish side Tyresö FF, and Australia Women's National Team defender Stephanie Catley, who will join Portland following Australia's involvement in the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

Additionally, several returnees from the 2013 championship-winning side, including defender Nikki Marshall and midfielders Angie Kerr, Allie Long and Meleana Shim are a part of the team's roster heading into the 2014 campaign.

2014 Portland Thorns FC Active Roster

(as of April 7, 2014)

GOALKEEPERS (2): Nadine Angerer (Brisbane Roar), Michelle Betos (Boston Breakers)

DEFENDERS (4): Nikki Marshall (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Menges (Georgetown Univ.), Rebecca Moros (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Rachel Van Hollebeke (Portland Thorns FC)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Amber Brooks (Bayern Munich), Sinead Farrelly (FC Kansas City), Sarah Huffman (Western New York), Angie Kerr (Portland Thorns FC), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Meleana Shim (Portland Thorns FC)

FORWARDS (5): Jackie Acevedo (Houston Aces), Jessica McDonald (Seattle Reign FC), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns FC), Elisabeth Sullivan (Mississippi State University)

Click here to see the full team roster and web bios for each player.

Thorns FC start the 2014 NWSL regular season on Saturday, April 12, against expansion side Houston Dash at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas; kickoff is set for 5 p.m. (Pacific). Thorns FC return to the Rose City for the team's home-opening match against FC Kansas City on Saturday, April 26, at Providence Park; kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (Pacific).

Single-game tickets for all Thorns FC home games are available online at www.portlandthornsfc.com. Fans also are able to purchase tickets, starting at $13, for all 12 of the team's regular-season NWSL home matches online, at the Providence Park box office or by calling (888) 736-6849 . The Providence Park 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@timbers.com . Additional group information can be found at www.timbers.com/thornsfc/thorns-group-outings .

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