Midge Purce avoids the slide tackle in the last preseason game against Houston (Photo by Dante’y Buitureida)
The NWSL teams dropped their 2018 rosters yesterday, just six short days before the start of a historic sixth season. The Thorn’s features very little surprise with 14 returning players and seven new faces; all save one previously confirmed trades or distributions. Elizabeth Ball, an undrafted former Penn State defender who was a non-roster invitee during the preseason, is the notable difference here.
Whilst on paper, it appears they’ve expanded past the 20 player roster cap, the distributed players from the folding of the Boston Breakers allow the counter roster to stay at 18; Angela Salem, Midge Purce, and Ifeoma Onumonu.
Quite a few of the players will not join the squad for opening day, for a variety of reasons, leaving the practical starting squad at 16, although there have been talks of two short term contracts being signed to bolster the sub list. Ellie Carpenter must turn 18 before she can legally play in the states. Caitlin Foord is at the beginning of recovery for a foot injury. Hayley Raso will be playing for Australia in the Asian Cup, which wraps up on the 20th of April. Although it could be as over as soon as the 13th, dependent on how well they do. Andressinha picked up a slight knock with her national team, and opted to recovery there; she was also listed on the preliminary roster for Copa América, which ends on the 22nd of April. Tobin Heath, also currently in recovery, will not be available.
PORTLAND THORNS FC
ROSTERED PLAYERS (21 of 20 spots filled):
GOALKEEPERS (2): Britt Eckerstrom, Adrianna Franch
DEFENDERS (7): Elizabeth Ball, Ellie Carpenter (INTL-AUS, PEN), Meghan Klingenberg, Emily Menges, Midge Purce (DD), Katherine Reynolds, Emily Sonnett (FED-USA)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Andressinha (INTL-BRA, PEN), Celeste Boureille, Tobin Heath (FED-USA), Lindsey Horan (FED-USA), Angela Salem (DD)
FORWARDS (7): Caitlin Foord (INTL-AUS, PEN), Tyler Lussi, Meg Morris, Ifeoma Onumonu (DD), Hayley Raso (INTL-AUS, PEN), Christine Sinclair (FED-CAN), Mallory Weber
FEDERATION PLAYERS (FED): 4
INTERNATIONAL ROSTER SPOTS FILLED (INTL): 4
Key:
ACTIVE ROSTER:
FED – Federation Player
DD – Distributed Player
INTL – International Roster Spot
NWSL
Portland Thorns
