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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Announce 2021 Preseason Roster

February 1, 2021 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC today announced their 2021 preseason roster as the team is set to begin training camp on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

The NWSL will open with the 2021 Challenge Cup in home markets, beginning on April 9. Following the Challenge Cup, the NWSL will begin its 24-game regular-season schedule with opening day scheduled for May 15. The league will not break for the 2021 Summer Olympics and the regular season will conclude on Oct. 30. Full details on the Challenge Cup format and the complete regular-season schedule will be announced at a later date.

Six teams will qualify for an expanded NWSL playoffs set to begin on Nov. 6, with the top two seeds receiving a first-round bye. The league's ninth season will conclude with the NWSL Championship on Nov. 20.

Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Horan, Becky Sauerbrunn and Sophia Smith were all named to the 23-player U.S. Women's National Team roster for the 2021 SheBelieves Cup, which features Brazil, Canada and Argentina. The six matches will be played over three doubleheader events, taking place on Feb. 18, 21 and 24 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

Portland's four 2021 NWSL Draft picks - Yazmeen Ryan (TCU), Sam Coffey (Penn State), Amirah Ali (Rutgers) and Hannah Betfort (Wake Forest) - are playing with their respective college teams during the 2021 NCAA Spring season. Thorns FC retain all four players NWSL rights.

2021 Thorns FC Preseason Roster

Goalkeepers (2): Bella Bixby, Adrianna Franch

Defenders (8): Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, Natalia Kuikka (INTL), Emily Menges, Meaghan Nally, Madison Pogarch, Becky Sauerbrunn, Christen Westphal

Midfielders (6): Celeste Boureille (NYR), Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Horan (NYR), Rocky Rodríguez, Angela Salem, Christine Sinclair

Forwards (5): Simone Charley, Marissa Everett, Tyler Lussi, Sophia Smith (NYR), Morgan Weaver

Key:

NRI - Non-roster invitee

NYR - Not yet reported to camp

INTL - International Player

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