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Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Acquire Rocky Rodridguez from Sky Blue FC for Midge Purce, First Round Pick in 2021 NWSL College Draft

January 8, 2020 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC today announced that the club has acquired midfielder Rocky Rodríguez from Sky Blue FC in exchange for forward Midge Purce and Portland's natural first round pick in the 2021 NWSL College Draft.

"Midge was a tremendous player for us in 2019 and we are grateful for all her contributions on the field and for her commitment to the Portland community," said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for Thorns FC. "Rocky has been a player on our radar for quite some time and is a key piece as we continue to build our roster."

Rodríguez, 26, has played the last four seasons (2016-19) with Sky Blue FC after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. In her rookie season in 2016, Rodríguez was named NWSL Rookie of the Year, tallying one goal and one assist in 18 appearances. In four seasons with Sky Blue FC, Rodríguez appeared in 76 games (66 starts), recording eight goals and five assists.

"Rocky is an elite midfielder who has proven to be one of the best in the league at her position," said Mark Parsons. "She is a perfect fit for what our needs are on the field and she is someone who has the character and leadership to help grow our culture even stronger."

At the international level, Rodríguez has earned 70 caps and scored 40 goals for the Costa Rica Women's National Team. In 2015, she helped Costa Rica secure its first trip to the FIFA Women's World Cup and appeared in all three group stage matches. Notably, she scored the first Women's World Cup goal for Costa Rica in its opening group stage match against Spain. In 2016, Rodríguez scored six goals in the Concacaf Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship. Her six goals were tied for the most in the tournament.

Purce, 24, played two seasons for Portland (2018-19) after she was acquired in the 2018 NWSL Dispersal Draft from the Boston Breakers. With Thorns FC, Purce appeared in 41 matches (31 starts), tallying eight goals and one assist.

Rocky Rodríguez

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-6

Born: Oct. 28, 1993

Hometown: San José, Costa Rica

Last Club: Sky Blue FC

College: Penn State University

Citizenship: Costa Rica

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