Portland Thorns Shore Up Their Defense With Emily Menges and Michelle Betos

After the Thorns' second round trade to bring back Meleana Shim, the team used their third and fourth round picks to bring in some defensive depth. With pick No. 25 the Thorns picked up defender Emily Menges before trading away pick No. 34 to the Boston Breakers for keeper Michelle Betos.

Menges, 21, attended the University of Georgetown where she was a key component in the Hoyas' run to the NCAA tournament quarterfinals in 2013, captaining the team as a centerback. A First Team All-American selection and Hermann Trophy semifinalist, Menges also won her share of individual honors at the college level.

Beyond the soccer field, Menges is also a former track and field star. In high school she competed in a number of events, primarily sprints and relays, but also the shot put and long jump.

Betos, 25, will be a familiar face to fans of the Thorns; she was the starting keeper for the Seattle Reign at the beginning of the 2013 season, while Hope Solo continued her recovery from an operation on her wrist. Although she was between the posts for the Reigns horrific 0-6-1 start to the season, including a 2-0 loss to the Thorns in Portland, Betos made 34 saves, an average of just under five saves per game.

During the off-season, Betos was shipped off to Boston, along with Kristie Mewis and two draft picks, in exchange for forward Sydney Leroux. Sending Betos to Portland now leaves the Breakers with no keepers on their current roster.