PORTLAND THORNS FC GAME NOTES PORTLAND THORNS FC AT FC KANSAS CITY SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2013, 7:30 P.M. (PT) VP Communications: Chris Metz - (503) 553-5433, cmetz@portlandtimbers.com Manager, Media Relations: Marc Kostic - (503) 553-5415, mkostic@portlandtimbers.com Coordinator, Media Relations: Mark Nelson - (503) 553-5529, mnelson@portlandtimbers.com
THORNS FC
2013 SCHEDULE
FC KANSAS CITY
2013 NWSL RECORD: 0-0-0 (Home: 0-0-0 Away: 0-0-0)
VS.
0-0-0 (0pts)
0-0-0 (0pts)
MATCH INFORMATION Date: Saturday, April 13, 2013 Kickoff: 5:35 p.m. (Pacific) Location: Shawnee Mission District Stadium (Overland Park, Kan.) Forecast: Partly cloudy, 60 degrees Referee: Kari Seitz Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Kyle Atkins Fourth Official: Jon Freemon Webstream: FC Kansas City feed available via www.portlandthornsfc.com
DATE Sat., April 13 Sun., April 21 Sat., April 27 Sat., May 4 Sun., May 12 Thurs., May 16 Sun., May 19 Sat., May 25 Sat., June 1 Thurs., June 6 Sun., June 16 Sat., June 22 Sun., June 30 Sat., July 6 Sun., July 14 Sun., July 21 Sun., July 28 Wed., July 31 Sun., Aug. 4 Wed., Aug 7 Sat., Aug. 10 Sat., Aug. 17
OPPONENT TIME/RESULT at FC Kansas City 5:35 p.m. SEATTLE REIGN FC 2 p.m. at Chicago 5 p.m. at Washington 4 p.m. at Chicago Red Stars 3 p.m. SKY BLUE FC 7:30 p.m. WASHINGTON 2 p.m. at Seattle Reign FC 7 p.m. CHICAGO RED STARS 2 p.m. FC KANSAS CITY 7:30 p.m. SEATTLE REIGN FC 2 p.m. at Sky Blue FC 4 p.m. at FC Kansas City 1:10 p.m. BOSTON BREAKERS 7:30 p.m. WESTERN NEW YORK 2 p.m. at Boston Breakers 1 p.m. CHICAGO RED STARS 2 p.m. SKY BLUE FC 7:30 p.m. FC KANSAS CITY 2 p.m. at Boston Breakers 4 p.m. at Western New York 4:35 p.m. at Seattle Reign FC 8 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
*dates and times subject to change
NWSL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE Saturday, April 13
TIME (PT)
Portland Thorns FC at FC Kansas City
5:35 p.m.
Sunday, April 14
TIME (PT)
Seattle Reign FC at Chicago Red Stars Western New York Flash at Sky Blue FC Washington Spirit at Boston Breakers
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
FAMILIAR FACES Thorns FC head coach Cindy Parlow Cone has three former University of North Carolina players on the roster (four if you factor in midfielder Tobin Heath, who is expected to join the team this summer). Midfielder Allie Long, forward Nikki Washington and goalkeeper Adelaide Gay all played at UNC while Cone served as an assistant coach for her alma mater. FC Kansas City’s roster includes former Tar Heels forward Casey (Nogueira) Loyd and defender Courtney Jones. Midfielder Merritt Mathias also attended UNC for two years (2008-09) before transferring to Texas A&M.
NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE Portland’s roster features a number of players with experience at the U-17, U-20, U-23 and senior national team level for the United States or Canada. Of the 18 players on the season-opening roster, 15 players have gained youth or senior national team experience. Canada Women’s National Team forward Christine Sinclair is the most capped member of Thorns FC, earning 195 appearances for Canada since making her debut in 2000.
MATCH DAY PREVIEW Portland Thorns FC and FC Kansas City square off in an historic affair on Saturday in the inaugural match of the National Women’s Soccer League at Shawnee Mission District Stadium in Overland Park, Kan. New to the women’s professional soccer landscape in the United States, neither Portland nor FC Kansas City played in either of the first two women’s professional leagues (WUSA, WPS) and both will hit the pitch for the first time ever on Saturday. Under the direction of head coach Vlatko Andonovski, FC Kansas City recently earned an 8-0 win against the University of Nebraska behind a five-goal, one-assist performance from Mexico Women’s National Team forward Renae Cuellar on April 6. Possessing a roster that includes U.S. Women’s National Team midfielders Lauren Cheney and Kristie Mewis, defender Becky Sauerbrunn and goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart along with Canada Women’s National Team midfielder Desiree Scott and defender Lauren Sesselmann - on paper the Blues appear to be one of the league’s more talented squads. Portland Thorns FC, which is coached by two-time Olympic gold medalist Cindy Parlow Cone, enter Saturday’s match on the heels of a 2-1 comeback win against a talented University of Portland squad on March 30 in front of 4,892 fans at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland. Playing without all four of the club’s national team allocation players, forward Danielle Foxhoven and midfielder Allie Long scored two unanswered goals in the second half to help lead Thorns FC to a preseason win. Featuring two of the most well-known women’s soccer players in the world in Canadian striker Christine Sinclair and U.S. Women’s National Team forward Alex Morgan, Thorns FC’s front line pairing combined to score 51 international goals in 53 matches for their respective national teams during the 2012 calendar year.
PORTLAND THORNS FC AT FC KANSAS CITY SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013 CATEGORICAL WON-LOST-TIED Overall: Day Games: Night Games: On Grass: On Turf: Scoring First: Opponent Scoring First: One-Goal Games: Leading at Half: Trailing at Half: Tied at Half: Leading at 75’: Trailing at 75’: Tied at 75’: Outshooting Opponent: Outshot by Opponent: Shots Even: When Scoring 0 Goals: When Scoring 1 Goal: When Scoring 2 Goals: When Scoring 3 Goals: When Scoring 4+ Goals: When Allowing 0 Goals: When Allowing 1 Goal: When Allowing 2 Goals: When Allowing 3 Goals: When Allowing 4+ Goals: Pacific Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone: Central Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone: Red-Red-Red Unis: White-Black-White Unis: Wednesday: Thursday: Saturday: Sunday: April: May: June: July: August:
HOME 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
ROAD 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
OVERALL 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
TIMBERS MEDIA SOURCES TALK TIMBERS The weekly radio talk show of the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, Talk Timbers presented by JELDWEN Windows & Doors airs regularly Tuesday at 6 p.m. PT on 750 AM The Game. Hosted by Fletcher Johnson, “Talk Timbers” features interviews with club officials, coaches, Timbers and Portland Thorns FC players and special guests. Tune in to the show live on 750 AM The Game or listen online at www.750thegame.com. Available podcasts can be downloaded at www.portlandtimbers.com/timbers-podcastnetwork.
HEAD COACH CINDY PARLOW CONE A U.S. Women’s National Team veteran and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Cindy Parlow Cone leads Portland Thorns FC into their inaugural National Women’s Soccer League season in 2013. She was appointed the first head coach in the club’s history on Dec. 19, 2012. One of the all-time leading goal scorers in U.S. Women’s National Team history, Cone’s playing career included a nine-year stint with the national team, a championship in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and gold medals at the 1996 and 2004 Olympic Games. She is the youngest player ever to win both an Olympic gold medal and a World Cup title. Due to post-concussion syndrome, she retired from the national team in 2004 with 75 goals and 35 assists in 158 appearances. A native of Memphis, Tenn., Cone, 34, spent the last six years as the assistant coach for her alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2007-12. She helped guide the team to national championship-winning seasons in 2008, 2009 and 2012. In addition to coaching at UNC, Cindy also served as the director of coaching for senior girls programs (U-15 to U-18) at Triangle United Soccer Association in Chapel Hill, N.C., and has been a member of the U.S. U-14 and U-15 Girls National Team coaching staffs since 2010. She holds a USSF “A” License and was the only female coach to participate in the FIFA Futuro III course. Cone, a forward, began her international career with the U.S. Women’s National Team in 1996, scoring twice in her debut and contributing to an 8-1 win over Russia on Jan.14, 1996. She was named the U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year in 1998 and was a starting forward on the highly recognized United States squad for the 1999 Women’s World Cup, scoring two goals in the tournament. The 1999 U.S. Women’s National Team was named Sports Illustrated’s 1999 Athlete of the Year. Additionally, Cone helped the U.S. Women’s National Team to a third-place finish in the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup, playing in the semifinal match against Germany held at JELD-WEN Field (then PGE Park), and a silver medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She, along with the other members of the 1996 Olympic team, was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004. Cone played in Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) for three seasons with the Atlanta Beat from 2001-03, leading the team to the postseason each season. At North Carolina, Cone recorded 68 goals and 53 assists during her collegiate career from 1995-98, and is one of 10 players in the program’s history to record 40 or more goals and assists in a career. She was a four-time All-American, won the Hermann Trophy in 1997 and 1998 as the nation’s top player, was an four-time Academic All-American, and led the Tar Heels to back-to-back national titles in 1996 and 1997.
ROSE CITY MEMORIES The Portland Thorns FC roster features three players who spent their collegiate careers representing the University of Portland. Forwards Christine Sinclair (2001-02, 2004-05), Danielle Foxhoven (2008-11) and midfielder Angie Kerr (2003, 2005-07) all starred for the Pilots. Sinclair, the program’s all-time leading scorer, helped guide the Pilots to NCAA Championships in 2002 (under the direction of legendary head coach Clive Charles) and again in 2005. Kerr (then Angie Woznuk) teamed up with Sinclair for the 2005 title, while Foxhoven finished her four-year career ranked fourth on the school’s all-time scoring list. Additionally, Pacific Northwest native Courtney Wetzel (Puyallup, Wash./Oregon State University) rounds out the team’s Cascadia roots.
NO STRANGER TO KC While this might be the first time Portland Thorns FC step foot in Kansas City for a soccer game as a team, the area is not unfamiliar to some players on the roster, especially head coach Cindy Parlow Cone. As a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team from 1996-2004, Cone appeared in three national team matches played in Kansas City (all at Arrowhead Stadium). Cone’s three appearances came on Oct. 7, 1999, vs. Finland, Aug. 20, 2000, vs. Canada (featuring Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair) and Oct. 16, 2004, vs. Mexico. The match against Mexico marked Cone’s 153rd international cap - she finished her career in December 2004 with 158 caps. Forward Alex Morgan is the most recent Thorns FC player to appear in a match in Kansas City for the U.S. Women’s National Team, earning a cap against Canada on Sept. 17, 2011, at Sporting Park.
PORTLAND THORNS FC AT FC KANSAS CITY SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013
1
KARINA LEBLANC - GK
2
MARIAN DOUGHERTY - D
Height: 5-10 DOB: 03/30/80 Hometown: Maple Ridge, B.C. Acquired: National Team Allocation, 01/11/13 Last NWSL win: n/a Last NWSL shutout: n/a
Height: 5-9 DOB: 11/25/84 Hometown: Lakewood, Colo. Acquired: NWSL Supplemental Draft (4th Rd., 32nd overall) Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
A veteran member of the Canada Women’s National Team, goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc brings a wealth of international experience to Thorns FC. A bronze medalist at the London 2012 Olympics, LeBlanc earned her 100th cap on March 24, 2012.
A defender with 11 caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team and a veteran of the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Dougherty joins Thorns FC as the club’s fourth-round selection (32nd overall) in the NWSL Supplemental Draft on Feb. 7, 2013.
INTERNATIONAL LeBlanc has featured as part of Canada’s roster in four consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011) and two Olympics (2008, 2012), winning the bronze medal with Canada at the London 2012 Olympics.
INTERNATIONAL Dougherty made two appearances (1 start) for the United States during the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Earned her first cap for the national team on April 17, 2007, in a 5-0 win against Mexico.
CAREER A Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) All-Star Starting XI pick in 2009, LeBlanc has featured for teams in both the WPS and WUSA during her professional career. The Canadian international spent the 2011 WPS season with magicJack and played for the Philadelphia Independence (2010) and Los Angeles Sol (2009). In WUSA, LeBlanc patrolled the goal for the Boston Breakers (2001-03).
CAREER An experienced professional, Dougherty was originally drafted by the Chicago Red Stars in the third round (20th overall) of the 2008 WPS Draft. She played 40 games for Chicago over two seasons before spending the 2011 season with magicJack, where she led the team in minutes played, logging 1,724 minutes of action.
4
EMILEE OÕNEIL - D/M
5
KATHRYN WILLIAMSON - D
Height: 5-7 DOB: 03/26/83 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Acquired: Discover Player, signed 04/05/13 Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
Height: 5-6 DOB: 08/01/89 Hometown: McKinney, Texas Acquired: NWSL Draft (1st Rd., 8th overall) Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
A consistent presence for the Bay Area Breeze (WPSL) in 2012, O’Neil joins Thorns FC for the 2013 NWSL season, signing as a Discovery Player on April 5, 2013.
A technical defender, Williamson joins Thorns FC as the club’s first-ever draft pick, selected eighth overall in the NWSL College Draft on Jan. 18, 2013.
CAREER After stepping away from competitive soccer following graduation from Stanford University in 2005, O’Neil returned to the field in 2012 for the Bay Area Breeze of the WPSL. O’Neil appeared in 15 matches for the Breeze during the season.
INTERNATIONAL 2011: Attended a week-long training camp with the U-23 Women’s National Team in January at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
COLLEGE A four-year player for Stanford University from 2001-04, O’Neil appeared in 44 matches for the Cardinal including a career-best 20 games as a senior in 2004. Stanford reached the NCAA Tournament all four years during her career, including a trip to the quarterfinals in 2002 where top-ranked Stanford suffered a penalty kick loss to eventual champions University of Portland.
COLLEGE A center back for the University of Florida, Williamson made 81 appearances (80 starts) during a four-year career with the Gators despite her senior season being interrupted by a torn meniscus after the first five matches. She returned late in the season to help Florida reach the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament. An NSCAA All-America third team selection as a junior and SEC Defensive Player of the Year winner as a sophomore, Williamson consistently ranked among the team’s leaders in minutes played during her career.
PORTLAND THORNS FC AT FC KANSAS CITY SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013
6
MELEANA SHIM - M
7
NIKKI MARSHALL - D
Height: 5-4 DOB: 09/25/91 Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii Acquired: Discover Player, signed 04/05/13 Pronunciation: mel-LAY-ah-nah Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
Height: 5-7 DOB: 06/02/88 Hometown: Mead, Colo. Acquired: Signed, 01/31/13 Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
A standout midfielder during a four-year career at Santa Clara, Shim helped lead the Broncos to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2009-12. A three-year starter and team captain in 2012, the native Hawaiian started 57 of 62 career games. Shim joins Thorns FC for the inaugural NWSL season as a Discovery Player signing on April 5, 2013.
A versatile defender who can play anywhere along the back line, Marshall also has considerable skills as an attacking player, evidenced by her collegiate career at the University of Colorado where she holds the program’s career record for goals (42). Marshall joins Portland for the inaugural NWSL season in 2013, signing on Jan. 31, 2013.
INTERNATIONAL Was selected to the roster for a three-game trip to Norway with the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team in June 2012. Shim appeared in both matches for the U-23s in the Three Nations Tournament (June 15 vs. Sweden, June 17 vs. Norway) as the United States won the competition. She started and played 90 minutes in a friendly against Norway on June 19, 2012.
INTERNATIONAL Featured for the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team during 2011, helping the team to a championship in the Four Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain. For the U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team, Marshall was named the Sierra Mist Woman of the Match in a 2-1 win against North Korea in the championship match of the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile.
COLLEGE A team captain during her senior season with Santa Clara, Shim was a three-time All-West Coast Conference selection under the direction of head coach Jerry Smith.
CAREER Marshall helped guide the Western New York Flash to a WPSL Elite championship during the 2012 season, earning MVP honors in the final match against the Chicago Red Stars. Drafted by the Washington Freedom in 2010, Marshall spent a season-and-a-half with the Washington/magicJack franchise before being traded to the Boston Breakers in July 2011.
8
ANGIE KERR - M
9
DANIELLE FOXHOVEN - F
Height: 5-5 DOB: 03/29/85 Hometown: El Cajon, Calif. Acquired: NWSL Supplemental Draft ( 2nd Rd., 16th overall) Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
Height: 5-6 DOB: 11/08/89 Hometown: Littleton, Colo. Acquired: Discovery Player, signed 02/21/13 Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
A former standout at the University of Portland and a one-time member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, Kerr joins Thorns FC for the inaugural season as the club’s second round (16th overall) selection in the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft on Feb. 7, 2013.
A dangerous forward, Foxhoven ranks fourth on the University of Portland’s all-time career scoring list with 139 points (57 goals, 25 assists). The Colorado native joins Thorns FC for the inaugural NWSL season, signing as a Discovery Player on Feb. 21, 2013.
INTERNATIONAL Since earning her first cap with the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2005 while still in college, Kerr has gone on to make 10 appearances at the senior level. A fixture at the youth international stage, Kerr (formerly Woznuk), took a redshirt year from playing collegiately in 2004 to help lead the U.S. U-19 Women’s National Team to a third-place finish in the FIFA U-19 World Championship. Kerr earned the tournament’s Silver Ball as the second-most outstanding player and the Bronze Shoe as the third-leading scorer.
INTERNATIONAL Was a part of the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team trip to the United Kingdom for the 2010 Four Nations Tournament - which the United States won. In 2006, featured for the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team for the Nike Friendlies at The Home Depot Center.
CAREER Played for three teams in three WPS seasons from 2009-11. Kerr was drafted in the third round (15th overall) by St. Louis Athletica in the 2009 WPS Draft and proceeded to rank third on the team in minutes played (1,637) as a rookie. With the Atlanta Beat in 2010, Kerr ranked second on the team in minutes played (1,709) and registered her first career goal in a 6-1 loss against FC Gold Pride. In 2011, Kerr suited up for Sky Blue FC, making 13 appearances for the club.
CAREER Foxhoven was drafted at the 17th overall pick in the 2012 WPS Draft by the Philadelphia Independence, but the league suspended operations weeks later. Signed with FC Energiya Voronezh in Russia for the 2012 season, scoring six goals in nine games for the club.
PORTLAND THORNS FC AT FC KANSAS CITY SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013
10
ALLIE LONG - M
11
JAZMYNE AVANT
Height: 5-8 DOB: 08/13/87 Hometown: Northport, N.Y. Acquired: Signed, 01/31/13 Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
Height: 5-3 DOB: 01/30/90 Hometown: Coppell, Texas Acquired: Discovery Player, signed 02/20/13 Pronunciation: JAZZ-min ah-VAH-nt Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
A former U-20 Women’s National Team midfielder for the United States, Long signed with Thorns FC for their inaugural season on Jan. 31, 2013. An attacking midfielder, the Long Island native has experience abroad with popular French club Paris Saint-Germain.
A standout defender at the University of Florida (2008-11), Avant was an All-Southeastern Conference selection as a senior in 2011 and made her professional debut in 2012 for the New York Fury (WPSL Elite). Avant joins Thorns FC for the inaugural NWSL season, signing as a Discovery Player on Feb. 20, 2013.
INTERNATIONAL Earned a call into her first U.S. Women’s National Team camp in July 2010 for former head coach Pia Sundhage. Previously, earned national team experience with the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team from 2009-10 and the U-21 Women’s National Team in 2007. Long was a key piece of the U-20 Women’s National Team during the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, appearing in five of the team’s six games in the tournament. CAREER Long tallied eight goals in 16 appearances across all competitions for French side Paris Saint-Germain from Oct. 2011 until March 2012 before joining WPSL side New York Fury for the 2012 WPSL Elite season. Played her first two professional seasons for the Washington Freedom in WPS (2009-10), and spent the 2011 season with Sky Blue FC.
12
CHRISTINE SINCLAIR - F
INTERNATIONAL A member of the U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team player pool in 2009, Avant was called into U-20s training camp from April 25 until May 3, 2009. Previously, the Texas native was a part of the U.S. U-16 Girls’ National Team for games against Germany in 2006. CAREER Spent the 2012 season with the New York Fury of WPSL Elite, appearing in 10 games for the club. Avant was part of a traveling squad for Sky Blue FC in March 2012 for a match against Japanese side INAC Kobe Leonessa.
13
ALEX MORGAN - F
Height: 5-9 DOB: 06/12/83 Hometown: Burnaby, B.C. Acquired: National Team Allocation, 01/11/13 Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
Height: 5-7 DOB: 07/02/89 Hometown: Diamond Bar, Calif. Acquired: National Team Allocation, 01/11/13 Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
A two-time NCAA national champion with the University of Portland (2002, 2005), Sinclair currently ranks third place on the all-time international goal scoring list for women’s soccer, trailing only Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach and is regarded as one of the best strikers in women’s soccer. Sinclair joins Thorns FC for the 2013 season after being allocated to the team Jan. 11, 2013, in the NWSL National Team allocation process.
A dynamic forward and one of the most popular players on the U.S. Women’s National Team and worldwide, Morgan was added to the Thorns FC roster through the National Team allocation process on Jan. 11, 2013.
INTERNATIONAL Since breaking into the Canada Women’s National Team picture as a 16-year-old in 2000 when she scored 15 goals in 18 games, Sinclair has progressed to become one of the most renowned strikers in the international game. In 195 career appearances, Sinclair has netted 145 goals in 14 years for Canada and helped lead the team to the London 2012 Olympics bronze medal, finishing as the tournament’s top goal scorer. CAREER Sinclair won back-to-back WPS championships in 2010 and 2011 with FC Gold Pride and the Western New York Flash, respectively. Sinclair was named the most valuable player of the WPS championship game in 2011 as the Western New York Flash earned a penalty kick win against Philadelphia.
INTERNATIONAL Morgan burst onto the international scene at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, helping the USA to the championship and scoring the winning goal in the final against Korea DPR and has since helped lead the U.S. Women’s National Team to a gold medal in the London 2012 Olympics while scoring 42 goals in 65 career appearances since 2010. U.S. Soccer’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2012 after registering 28 goals and 21 assists (77 points) in 31 games. CAREER Teamed with Christine Sinclair in 2011 to help the Western New York Flash to a WPS championship in her first professional season. Morgan was the league’s No. 1 draft pick in 2011. Last year, she suited up for the Seattle Sounders Women of United Soccer Leagues’ W-League.
PORTLAND THORNS FC AT FC KANSAS CITY SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013
14
BECKY EDWARDS - M
16
RACHEL BUEHLER - D
Height: 5-8 DOB: 05/22/88 Hometown: Downington, Pa. Acquired: Signed, 01/31/13 Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
Height: 5-5 DOB: 08/26/85 Hometown: Del Mar, Calif. Acquired: National Team Allocation, 01/11/13 Pronunciation: BYOO-luhr Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
Possessing international experience captaining the United States U-20 and U-23 Women’s National Teams as well as club expertise both domestically and abroad, the former Florida State University midfielder joins Thorns FC for the 2013 NWSL season, signing on Jan. 31, 2013.
An established starter for the U.S. Women’s National Team, Buehler joins Thorns FC for their inaugural season after being allocated to the team via the NWSL National Team allocation process on Jan. 11, 2013. Buehler made her first appearance for the United States in 2008 and has since solidified her role as a key piece in the back line with more than 100 caps.
INTERNATIONAL Edwards was invited to her first U.S. Women’s National Team camp in Nov. 2011 after captaining the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team to a championship run at the Four Nations Tournament earlier in 2011. Edwards also served as captain for the U-20 Women’s National Team to the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title in Chile with Thorns FC teammate Alex Morgan.
INTERNATIONAL
CAREER Spent the 2012 season with Swedish side Kristianstads DFF, scoring two goals in 18 matches. Edwards won back-to-back WPS titles in 2010 and 2011 with FC Gold Pride and the Western New York Flash, respectively. She was the 12th overall pick in the 2010 WPS Draft by FC Gold Pride and scored three goals in 19 games for Western New York in 2011 before moving to Sweden on a short-term deal with Hammarby IF following the WPS season.
18
JESSICA SHUFELT - F
One of the USA’s toughest and most experienced defenders, she had an extensive youth international career before breaking into the full team in 2006 and 2007. Since earning her first cap with the senior national team at the 2008 Algarve Cup, Buehler has won two Olympic gold medals while earning her 100th appearance on March 6 against Iceland in the 2013 Algarve Cup in Portugal. CAREER A WPS All-Star in 2010, Buehler spent the first two seasons of her professional career with FC Gold Pride (2009-10) - captaining the club to the 2010 WPS championship. In 2011, Buehler helped lead the Boston Breakers to a postseason appearance.
20
COURTNEY WETZEL - M
Height: 5-7 DOB: 05/29/90 Hometown: Rochester, N.Y. Acquired: NWSL Supplemental Draft (5th Rd., 40th overall) Pronunciation: SHOO-felt Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
Height: 5-7 DOB: 02/25/89 Hometown: Puyallup, Wash. Acquired: Discovery Player, signed 04/05/13 Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
A productive forward in the college ranks for the University of Connecticut, the Rochester, N.Y., native joins Thorns FC for the 2013 season as the team’s fifth round pick (40th overall) in the NWSL Supplemental Draft on Feb. 7, 2013.
Wetzel was a four-year starter for Oregon State University from 2007-10 and earned a call up to the U.S. Women’s U-23 National Team in 2010. The Pacific Northwest native joined Thorns FC as a Discovery Player signing on April 5, 2013.
CAREER Played two summer seasons for the Ottawa Fury of the USL W-League, helping the Fury capture the 2012 W-League championship with Thorns FC teammates Kathryn Williamson and Courtney Wetzel.
INTERNATIONAL Wetzel made two substitute appearances for the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team in matches against Oregon State University and the University of Portland in April 2010.
COLLEGE Shufelt recorded 11 goals and 10 assists in 72 matches (43 starts) during a four-year career at the UConn for head coach Len Tsantiris. She helped the Huskies reach the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons in 2009 and 2010.
CAREER She ranks second of the Oregon State University all-time list for career assists (22) and set the program’s single-season record, totaling 12 assists during her senior season in 2010. An All-Pac-12 midfielder, Wetzel helped guide the Beavers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2009 and 2010.
PORTLAND THORNS FC AT FC KANSAS CITY SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013
21
NIKKI WASHINGTON - F
23
ADELAIDE GAY - GK
Height: 5-4 DOB: 08/01/88 Hometown: Mesquite, Texas Acquired: Signed, 01/31/13 Last NWSL goal: n/a Last NWSL assist: n/a
Height: 5-6 DOB: 11/03/89 Hometown: Skillman, N.J. Acquired: Discovery Player, signed 04/05/13 Last NWSL win: n/a Last NWSL shutout: n/a
A three-time NCAA National Champion with the University of North Carolina, Washington is also a U.S. youth national team veteran. The native Texan has professional experience in the United States, as well as Australia where she scored three goals in five appearances on a short-term contract in December 2012. Washington joins Thorns FC for the 2013 NWSL season, signing on Jan. 31, 2013.
An NCAA National Champion at the University of North Carolina in 2012, Gay joins Thorns FC for the 2013 NWSL season as a Discovery Player signing on April 5, 2013.
INTERNATIONAL Washington was a member of the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team player pool from 2009-11 after helping the U-20 Women’s National Team to a championship at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. In the run up to the Women’s World Cup, Washington netted three goals in five games during the 2008 CONCACAF U-20 Championships. CAREER Recently served as a short-term injury replacement for Australian W-League side Canberra United in Dec. 2012, scoring three goals in five games. A versatile player, Washington helped USL W-League club Pali Blues reach the 2012 W-League championship, losing in the title game to the Ottawa Fury. Washington also has WPS experience with the Boston Breakers (2011), magicJack (2011) and the Chicago Red Stars (2010)
COLLEGE Finished her three-year career (played freshman season at Yale) with 21-3-1 overall record for the Tar Heels, while helping the program win the 2012 National Championship. Gay made two saves in a 4-1 win over Penn State University in the title game and finished her senior season with a 0.62 goals-against average.
PORTLAND THORNS FC AT FC KANSAS CITY SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013 ALPHABETICAL ROSTER #
PLAYER
POS
HT
DOB
HOMETOWN
COLLEGE
11 16 2 14 9 23 8 1 10 7 13 4 6 18 12 21 20 5
Avant, Jazmyne Buehler, Rachel Dougherty, Marian Edwards, Becky Foxhoven, Danielle Gay, Adelaide Kerr, Angie LeBlanc, Karina Long, Allie Marshall, Nikki Morgan, Alex O’Neil, Emilee Shim, Meleana Shufelt, Jessica Sinclair, Christine Washington, Nikki Wetzel, Courtney Williamson, Kathryn
D D D M F GK M GK M D F D/M M F F F M D
5-3 5-5 5-10 5-8 5-6 5-6 5-5 5-10 5-8 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-4 5-7 5-9 5-4 5-7 5-6
01/30/1990 08/26/1985 11/25/1984 05/22/1988 11/08/1989 11/03/1989 03/29/1985 03/30/1980 08/13/1987 06/02/1988 07/02/1989 03/26/1983 09/25/1991 05/29/1990 06/12/1983 08/01/1988 02/25/1989 08/01/1989
Coppell, Texas Del Mar, Calif. Lakewood, Colo. Downington, Pa. Littleton, Colo. Skillman, N.J. El Cajon, Calif. Maple Ridge, B.C. Northport, N.Y. Mead, Colo. Diamond Bar, Calif. Atlanta, Ga. Honolulu, Hawaii Rochester, N.Y. Burnaby, B.C. Mesquite, Texas Puyallup, Wash. McKinney, Texas
Florida Stanford Santa Clara Florida State Portland North Carolina Portland Nebraska North Carolina Colorado Cal-Berkeley Stanford Santa Clara Connecticut Portland North Carolina Oregon State Florida
COACHES & STAFF HEAD COACH: Cindy Parlow Cone ASSISTANT COACH: John Galas FITNESS/GOALKEEPER COACH: Nate Berry
ATHLETIC TRAINER: Sheila Tatsunami EQUIPMENT MANAGER: Megan Lovich
NUMERICAL ROSTER # 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 18 20 21 23
PLAYER Karina LeBlanc Marian Dougherty Emilee O’Neil Kathryn Williamson Meleana Shim Nikki Marshall Angie Kerr Danielle Foxhoven Allie Long Jazmyne Avant Christine Sinclair Alex Morgan Becky Edwards Rachel Buehler Jessica Shufelt Courtney Wetzel Nikki Washington Adelaide Gay
POS GK D D D M D M F M D F F M D F M F GK
PRONUNCIATION le-bl-AH-nk emily mel-LAY-ah-nah
jazz-min a-vah-nt
BYOO-luhr SHOO-felt
BIRTHPLACE Atlanta, Ga. Denver, Colo. Atlanta, Ga. McKinney, Texas Honolulu, Hawaii Thornton, Colo. San Diego, Calif. Wheat Ridge, Colo. Huntington, N.Y. Dallas, Texas Burnaby, B.C. San Dimas, Calif. Downington, Pa. La Jolla, Calif. Rochester, N.Y. Puyallup, Wash. Dallas, Texas Princeton, N.J.
LAST CLUB magicJack (WPS) magicJack (WPS) Bay Area Breeze (WPSL) Florida (NCAA) Santa Clara (NCAA) Western New York (WPSL Elite) Sky Blue FC (WPS) FC Energiya Voronezh (Russia) New York Fury (WPSL Elite) New York Fury (WPSL Elite) Western New York (WPS) Sounders Women (W-League) Kristianstads DFF (Sweden) Boston Breakers (WPS) Ottawa Fury (W-League) Ottawa Fury (W-League) Canberra United (Australia) North Carolina (NCAA)