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 Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Acquire Defender Meghan Klingenberg as Part of Trade with Orlando Pride

November 2, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC acquired defender Meghan Klingenberg, the top selection in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Expansion Draft today, as part of the completion of their trade with the Orlando Pride on Oct. 26. Additionally, Orlando selected midfielder Lianne Sanderson with the seventh pick in the NWSL Expansion Draft.

"Meghan is an exceptional player with great tenacity and a competitive edge that we are looking forward to seeing in Portland," said Thorns FC head coach Mark Parsons. "In addition to her exceptional defensive qualities, Meghan is a very technical and intelligent player and she will thrive in the style of soccer the Thorns want to play."

Klingenberg, 27, has played the last two NWSL seasons (2014-15) with the Houston Dash. The U.S. Women's National Team defender started every match and played every minute on defense at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, helping the United States put together a streak of 540 minutes without allowing a goal during the tournament. A FIFA Women's World Cup All-Star selection, Klingenberg has earned 47 international caps since making her debut in 2011.

Professionally, Klingenberg appeared in 12 matches (all starts) for the Dash during the 2015 season. She was selected by the Dash in the 2014 NWSL Expansion Draft and arrived midseason after the conclusion of her time with Swedish club Tyresö. Klingenberg played for Tyresö from 2012-14, guiding the team to a runner-up finish in the 2013-14 UEFA Women's Champions League, falling 4-3 in the final to VfL Wolfsburg. The third-overall selection in the 2011 Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) Draft by magicJack, Klingenberg appeared in two games before she was acquired by the Boston Breakers in a trade. The Gibsonia, Pa. native, played in 10 matches, registering one goal and two assists in her first professional season with the Breakers.

In one season for Thorns FC, Sanderson appeared in five matches (2 starts), tallying one assist for Portland during the 2015 regular season after she was acquired as part of trade in July.

The Pride also selected Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Taryn Hemmings (Chicago Red Stars), Jasmyne Spencer (Western New York Flash), Jamia Fields (Western New York Flash), Cami Levin (Sky Blue FC), Toni Pressley (Houston Dash), Maddy Evans (Boston Breakers) and Aubrey Bledsoe (Sky Blue FC).

Meghan Klingenberg

Position: Defender

Height: 5-2

Born: Aug. 2, 1988

Hometown: Gibsonia, Pa.

Last Club: Houston Dash

College: North Carolina

Citizenship: United States


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