2022 Portland Thorns FC season
Portland Thorns FC's tenth season
Portland Thorns FC 2022 soccer season
The 2022 Portland Thorns FC season was the team's tenth season as a professional women's soccer team. Thorns FC plays in the National Women's Soccer League , the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.
Background
In the wake of the 2021 NWSL abuse scandal , Thorns FC placed general manager Gavin Wilkinson on administrative leave from his role with the Thorns, but retained him as the president and general manager of the co-owned Portland Timbers . The team hired retired Thorns FC goalkeeper and Canadian international Karina LeBlanc as Gavin Wilkinson's replacement on November 2, 2021.[ 1] [ 2]
Following the exit of head coach Mark Parsons to manage the Netherlands women's national football team , Thorns FC hired another of the club's former players during Riley's tenure, Rhian Wilkinson , as his replacement. Wilkinson had also played on the Canadian national team as a teammate of LeBlanc and longtime Thorns FC and Canadian team captain Christine Sinclair . After her playing career, Wilkinson had been an assistant coach for the Canadian and English national teams.[ 2]
Stadium and facilities
Thorns FC continued to play and train in Providence Park , their home since the team's inaugural season in 2013. The team held its preseason training camp in Bend, Oregon .[ 3]
Broadcasting
On May 4, 2022, KPTV agreed to broadcast seven regular season Thorns FC matches locally via FOX 12 PLUS. These matches were in addition to the league's national agreements with CBS, Paramount+, and Twitch.[ 4]
Team
Staff
As of July 25, 2022. [ 5]
Squad
As of July 25, 2022. [ 8]
No.
Nat.
Name
Date of birth (age)
Since
Previous team
Notes
Goalkeepers
1
Bella Bixby (1995-11-20 ) November 20, 1995 (aged 26)
2018
Oregon State
35
Abby Smith (1993-10-04 ) October 4, 1993 (aged 28)
2021
Kansas City Current
43
Shelby Hogan (1998-05-10 ) May 10, 1998 (aged 24)
2021
Providence College
Defenders
4
Becky Sauerbrunn (1985-06-06 ) June 6, 1985 (aged 37)
2020
Utah Royals FC
5
Emily Menges (1992-07-28 ) July 28, 1992 (aged 29)
2014
Georgetown
14
Natalia Kuikka (1995-12-01 ) December 1, 1995 (aged 26)
2020
Kopparberg/Göteborg FC
INT[ a]
20
Kelli Hubly (1994-08-09 ) August 9, 1994 (aged 27)
2017
DePaul
25
Meghan Klingenberg (1988-08-02 ) August 2, 1988 (aged 33)
2015
Orlando Pride
29
Tegan McGrady (1997-10-11 ) October 11, 1997 (aged 24)
2022
San Diego Wave FC
39
Meaghan Nally (1998-06-30 ) June 30, 1998 (aged 24)
2020
Georgetown Hoyas
Midfielders
8
Hina Sugita (1997-01-31 ) January 31, 1997 (aged 25)
2022
INAC Kobe Leonessa
INT[ a]
11
Raquel Rodríguez (1993-10-28 ) October 28, 1993 (aged 28)
2020
Sky Blue FC
13
Olivia Moultrie (2005-09-17 ) September 17, 2005 (aged 16)
2021
17
Sam Coffey (1998-12-31 ) December 31, 1998 (aged 23)[ 9] 2021
Penn State
19
Crystal Dunn (1992-07-03 ) July 3, 1992 (aged 30)
2020
North Carolina Courage (via OL Reign )
23
Yazmeen Ryan (1999-02-25 ) February 25, 1999 (aged 23)
2021
Texas Christian
44
Gabby Provenzano (1999-08-07 ) August 7, 1999 (aged 22)
2022
Rutgers
46
Taylor Porter (1997-09-29 ) September 29, 1997 (aged 24)
2021
UDG Tenerife
Forwards
9
Sophia Smith (2000-08-10 ) August 10, 2000 (aged 21)
2020
Stanford
12
Christine Sinclair (1983-06-12 ) June 12, 1983 (aged 39)
2013
Western New York Flash
16
Janine Beckie (1994-08-20 ) August 20, 1994 (aged 27)
2022
Manchester City W.F.C.
21
Marissa Everett (1997-08-29 ) August 29, 1997 (aged 24)
2019
Oregon
22
Morgan Weaver (1997-10-18 ) October 18, 1997 (aged 24)
2020
Washington State
37
Michele Vasconcelos (1994-05-11 ) May 11, 1994 (aged 28)
2022
Sevilla FC
41
Hannah Betfort (1999-01-04 ) January 4, 1999 (aged 23)
2021
Wake Forest
45
Natalie Beckman (2000-03-25 ) March 25, 2000 (aged 22)
2022
Denver
^ a b INT: International player
Competitions
NWSL Challenge Cup
Portland entered 2022 as the defending NWSL Challenge Cup champions. In 2022, the Thorns competed in the cup's West Division during the group stage.
Group stage
West Division standings
Source:
NWSL Rules for classification: 1) Total points; 2) Total goal differential; 3) Total number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points record; 5) Head-to-head goal differential; 6) Head-to-head number of goals scored; 7) Fewest disciplinary points; 8) Drawing of lots
Regular season
Portland entered 2022 as the defending NWSL Shield champions of the 2021 National Women's Soccer League season .
Matches
Regular season standings
Results summary
Overall
Home
Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
22
10
9
3
49
24
+25
39
6
3
2
27
8
+19
4
6
1
22
16
+6
Results by matchday
Matchday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Stadium H H H H A H A A H A A H A H A A H A A H H A Result W D D L D W D W W D D W W D W L L W D W W D Position 1 2 4 5 7 3 4 3 2 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 4 2 4 1 1 2
Updated to match(es) played on October 1, 2022. Source:
NWSL A = Away;
H = Home;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss
NWSL Playoffs
The top six teams from the regular season qualified for the NWSL Championship playoffs, with the top two teams receiving a first-round bye.[ 14]
Semi-finals
Championship
Championship Game MVP: Sophia Smith (POR)
Awards
NWSL season awards
Best XI
Announced October 25, 2022[ 16]
Second XI
NWSL monthly awards
Player of the Month
Month
Player of the Month
Statline
Ref.
June
Sophia Smith
5 goals; scored goal or assist in last 5 matches
[ 17] [ 18]
Rookie of the Month
Month
Rookie of the Month
Statline
Ref.
June
Sam Coffey
85% passing led league in June; 6 shots, 1 assist
[ 19] [ 20]
NWSL weekly awards
Player of the Week
Save of the Week
Transactions
2022 NWSL Expansion Draft
The 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft was an expansion draft held by the NWSL on December 16, 2021, for two expansion teams, Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC , to select players from existing teams in the league.[ 36]
On December 8, 2021, the Thorns traded Simone Charley and Tyler Lussi to Angel City FC in exchange for $100,000 in allocation money, a 2022 NWSL Draft natural second-round pick, and immunity from Angel City in the expansion draft.[ 37]
The Thorns protected nine players, and San Diego selected none of the unprotected players.[ 38] Christen Westphal and Amirah Ali to San Diego Wave FC in exchange for $50,000 in allocation money, but the Thorns did not officially acquire draft immunity from San Diego.[ 39]
Bold indicates players selected in the Expansion Draft Blue highlights indicate United States federation players
Italics indicate players who are not under contract but whose NWSL playing rights remain with the team
2022 NWSL Draft
Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2022 NWSL Draft was held on December 18, 2021.
Transfers in
Date
Player
Previous club
Fee/notes
January 7, 2022
Sam Coffey MF
Penn State Nittany Lions
2021 NWSL Draft pick signed a two-year contract.
[ 45]
January 26, 2022
Hina Sugita MF
INAC Kobe Leonessa
Signed a three-year contract. Transferred from INAC Kobe for an undisclosed fee.
[ 46]
March 18, 2022
Taylor Porter MF
UDG Tenerife
Signed a one-year contract with one-year option.
[ 47]
April 1, 2022
Janine Beckie FW
Manchester City W.F.C.
Signed a three-year contract with one-year option. Transferred from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee. Rights acquired in a trade with Racing Louisville FC in exchange for $75,000 in allocation money and an additional $25,000 in allocation money contingent on undisclosed performance conditions.
[ 48]
June 28, 2022
Katy Byrne MF
Diósgyőri VTK
Signed as a National Team Replacement player.
[ 49]
Cheyenne Shorts DF
Celtic F.C.
Jada Talley FW
Kansas City Current
July 1, 2022
Britt Eckerstrom GK
Portland Thorns FC (retired)
Signed as a short-term goalkeeper replacement.
[ 50]
July 7, 2022
Sophie French DF
Portland Pilots
Signed as a National Team Replacement player.
[ 51]
July 14, 2022
Michele Vasconcelos DF
Sevilla FC
Signed as a National Team Replacement player; extended to end of season on July 29, 2022
[ 52] [ 53]
July 25, 2022
Tegan McGrady DF
San Diego Wave FC
Acquired in exchange for Madison Pogarch .
[ 54] [ 55]
Transfers out
References
^ Freeman, Joe (November 2, 2021). "Portland Thorns new GM Karina LeBlanc aims to bring 'hope, healing and that opportunity to rise' to turbulent club" . The Oregonian . Retrieved July 21, 2022 . ^ a b Freeman, Joe (November 29, 2021). "Portland Thorns hire Rhian Wilkinson as new coach" . The Oregonian . Retrieved July 21, 2022 . ^ Danzer, Paul (February 8, 2022). "Energy is positive early in Portland Thorns' training camp" . Portland Tribune . Retrieved July 21, 2022 . ^ "FOX 12 PLUS to broadcast seven Thorns FC matches during 2022 NWSL regular season" (Press release). Portland Timbers . May 4, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Technical Staff" . Portland Timbers . Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Thorns FC announce addition of assistant coach Mike Norris" (Press release). Portland Timbers . January 28, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Thorns FC add Vytas Andriuskevicius to coaching staff" (Press release). Portland Timbers . May 11, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Portland Thorns FC" . Portland Timbers . Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "National team roster – 2022 Concacaf W Championship: USA" (PDF) . CONCACAF Archived (PDF) from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022 .^ "Angel City FC vs. Portland Thorns FC - Football Match Summary" . ESPN . April 24, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022 .^ Danzer, Paul (August 24, 2022). "Portland Thorns lose 3-1 on Wednesday to North Carolina Courage" . Portland Tribune Pamplin Media Group . Retrieved August 27, 2022 . ^ "NWSL Assignments: Week 16" . PRO Referees . August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022 .^ "Portland Thorns vs. San Diego Wave 0 - 2" . Soccerway . August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022 .^ Goff, Steven (August 23, 2022). "Audi Field to host NWSL championship game in prime time" . The Washington Post . Retrieved August 23, 2022 . ^ Herrera, Sandra (October 29, 2022). "NWSL awards 2022: Portland Thorns star Sophia Smith wins MVP; Naomi Girma wins top rookie and defender" . CBS Sports . Retrieved April 3, 2023 . ^ "NWSL Announces Winners of Mastercard Best XI Awards" . October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022 .^ "Portland Thorns FC Forward Sophia Smith Named June Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League . June 23, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022 .^ Svilar, Sam (June 27, 2022). "Sophia Smith named NWSL Player of the Month, Sam Coffey named Rookie of the Month for June" . Stumptown Footy. Retrieved July 21, 2022 . ^ "Portland Thorns FC Midfielder Sam Coffey Named June Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League . June 23, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022 .^ Lamm, Keeley (June 28, 2022). "Penn State Women's Soccer Alum Sam Coffey Named NWSL Rookie Of The Month" . Onward State. Retrieved July 12, 2022 . ^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 21, 2022). "Sugita on the scene" (Tweet ). Retrieved April 21, 2022 – via Twitter .^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 7, 2022). "Nichelle Prince @nichelleprince7 (@HoustonDash) Christine Sinclair @sincy12 (@ThornsRC)" (Tweet ). Retrieved July 14, 2022 – via Twitter .^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 14, 2022). "Sophia Smith @sophsssmith (@ThornsFC) Taylor Kornieck @taylorkornieck (@sandiegowavefc)" (Tweet ). Retrieved July 14, 2022 – via Twitter .^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 21, 2022). "Alex Morgan @alexmorgan13 (@sandiegowavefc) Sophia Smith @sophsssmith (@ThornsFC)" (Tweet ). Retrieved July 14, 2022 – via Twitter .^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (July 19, 2022). "Ebony Salmon @ebony_salmon | @HoustonDash Morgan Weaver @morganvweaver | @ThornsFC" (Tweet ). Retrieved July 21, 2022 – via Twitter .^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (August 9, 2022). "Sophia Smith @sophsssmith | @ThornsFC Ebony Salmon @ebony_salmon | @HoustonDash" (Tweet ). Retrieved August 10, 2022 – via Twitter .^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (August 10, 2022). "🎂 Cheers to the Birthday Girl 🎂" (Tweet ). Retrieved August 10, 2022 – via Twitter .^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 25, 2022). "Bella Bixby @bellageist (@ThornsFC) DiDi Haračić @DIdeeds (@weareangelcity) Katie Lund @kt_lund (@RacingLouFC) Alyssa Naeher @AlyssaNaeher (@chicagoredstars)" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 22, 2022). "Alyssa Naeher @AlyssaNaeher (@chicagoredstars) DiDi Haračić @DIdeeds (@weareangelcity) Belly Bixby @bellageist (@ThornsFC) Erin McLeod @erinmcleod18 (@ORLPride)" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (July 6, 2022). "Adrianna Franch @ADizzle23 | @thekccurrent Katelyn Rowland @rowland_katelyn | @TheNCCourage DiDi Haračić @DIdeeds | @weareangelcity Shelby Hogan @Seashelb11 | @ThornsFC" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (July 13, 2022). "Ashlyn Harris @Ashlyn_Harris (@GothamFC) Carly Telford @carlytelford1 (@sandiegowavefc) Adrianna Franch @ADizzle23 (@thekccurrent) Belly Bixby @bellageist (@ThornsFC)" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .^ @NWSL (August 3, 2022). "Belly Bixby @bellageist (@ThornsFC) Kailen Sheridan @Kailen_Sheridan (@sandiegowavefc) Adrianna Franch @ADizzle23 (@thekccurrent) Erin McLeod @erinmcleod18 (@ORLPride)" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ @NWSL (August 10, 2022). "Katie Lund @kt_lund | @RacingLouFC Belly Bixby @bellageist | @ThornsFC Kailen Sheridan @Kailen_Sheridan | @sandiegowavefc Erin McLeod @erinmcleod18 | @ORLPride" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ @NWSL (August 17, 2022). "The nominees:" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (August 31, 2022). "@abbyys44 wins after her leaping save last week!" (Tweet ). Retrieved September 1, 2022 – via Twitter .^ "NWSL Announces Dates for the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft and NWSL Draft Presented by Ally, Opens Player Registration" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League . November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021 .^ "Thorns FC acquire Allocation Money, 2022 NWSL Draft pick, Expansion Draft immunity in trade with Angel City FC" (Press release). Portland Timbers . December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021 .^ "NWSL releases protected lists ahead of 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft presented by Ally | PTFC" (Press release). Portland Timbers . December 10, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ Odom, Joel (December 16, 2021). "Portland Thorns trade Christen Westphal, Amirah Ali to San Diego Wave FC for allocation money" . The Oregonian . Retrieved July 25, 2022 . ^ Hayes, Pete (February 4, 2022). "Tempest off the pitch: NWSL team snubs Nasello over social media flap" . Alton Telegraph. Retrieved July 25, 2022 . ^ Little, Grant (January 7, 2022). "Meet the Draftees: Sydny Nasello" . Stumptown Footy. Retrieved July 25, 2022 . ^ Cash, Meredith (December 22, 2022). "The NWSL's reputation as an LGBTQ+ friendly league is in question after 2 controversial player signings" . Insider . Retrieved July 25, 2022 . ^ Walls Gómez, Hugo Alberto (January 8, 2022). "Portland Thorns: Sydny Nasello won't be signed by the team" . El Futbolero USA. Retrieved July 25, 2022 . ^ "Thorns FC sign midfielder Gabby Provenzano, forward Natalie Beckman" (Press release). Portland Timbers . March 15, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Thorns FC sign midfielder Sam Coffey to multi-year deal" (Press release). Portland Timbers . January 7, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Thorns FC sign midfielder Hina Sugita to three-year contract" (Press release). Portland Timbers . January 26, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Thorns FC sign midfielder Taylor Porter" (Press release). Portland Timbers . March 18, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Thorns FC sign forward Janine Beckie to three-year contract" (Press release). Portland Timbers . April 1, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Thorns FC sign Katy Byrne, Cheyenne Shorts, Jada Talley as National Team Replacement players" (Press release). Portland Timbers . June 28, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ a b "Thorns FC sign Britt Eckerstrom as goalkeeper replacement" (Press release). Portland Timbers . July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Thorns FC add Sophie French to roster as a National Team Replacement Player" (Press release). Portland Timbers . July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Thorns FC sign forward Michele Vasconcelos as a National Team Replacement Player" (Press release). Portland Timbers . July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Friday's Transactions" . WFED . Associated Press . July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022 .^ a b "Thorns FC acquire defender Tegan McGrady from San Diego Wave FC in exchange for defender Madison Pogarch" (Press release). Portland Timbers . July 25, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ Clarke, Ryan (July 25, 2022). "Portland Thorns trade defender Madison Pogarch to San Diego Wave for defender Tegan McGrady" . The Oregonian . Retrieved August 4, 2022 . ^ "Midfielder Celeste Boureille departs Thorns FC" (Press release). Portland Timbers . January 26, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Thorns FC loan midfielder Lindsey Horan to Olympique Lyonnais" (Press release). Portland Timbers . January 27, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .^ "Thorns FC midfielder Angela Salem announces retirement" (Press release). Portland Timbers . February 2, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .
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