Thorns acquire English international forward Jodie Taylor, Send Jessica McDonald to Houston

Despite not having any draft picks in Friday's NWSL College Draft, the Portland Thorns still made some draft day noise, acquiring English forward Jodie Taylor from the Washington Spirit in exchange for draft picks.

Earlier in the day, the Thorns had acquired Houston's 2nd Round pick (#13 overall) and a 2016 2nd round draft pick for a player to be named.  If last season is any indication, we should find out who that player is shortly. It was announced later Friday that the player sent to Houston is forward Jessica McDonald, who led the Thorns in scoring last season with 11 goals

The Thorns then traded the just acquired picks, along with their 2016 2nd round draft pick to Washington for Taylor.

"We’ve been chasing Jodie for awhile,"Thorns FC head coach Paul Riley said in a press release.. "She’s a proven goal scorer and a recognized forward. She’s dangerous and a good finisher, too. She’s one of the premier finishers in the league. I think with the quality players we have around her she’ll score more goals. We are really happy to get her."

Taylor, 28, finished tied for third in the NWSL in goals with 11, equaling the mark by new Thorns teammate Jessica McDonald, while also adding two assists, earning her NWSL Second XI honors.

In her senior career, Taylor has scored 78 goals in 109 career matches,  appearing for squads in Australia, Canada, England, Sweden, and the United States

Her play with the Spirit, and previously with Sydney FC of Australia's W-League saw her called into the English national team, where she earned her first cap in August 2014 and has since made one more appearance for England.

Additionally, Taylor has a Northwest connection, playing collegiate at Oregon State from 2004-2007, finishing as the program's all-time leading scorer with 47 goals and was a four time All-Pac 10 Conference honoree.

This story has been updated to include a quote from Paul Riley and the trade of Jessica McDonald to Houston.

Portland Thorns Press Release-

THORNS FC ACQUIRE FORWARD JODIE TAYLOR FROM WASHINGTON SPIRIT THROUGH TRADE AT 2015 NWSL DRAFT
England international, Oregon State standout joins Portland for 2015 NWSL season

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Portland Thorns FC acquired forward Jodie Taylor from the Washington Spirit in exchange for a 2015 second-round pick (No. 13 overall) and two second-round picks in 2016 at the 2015 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center today in Philadelphia.

Before trading for Taylor, Thorns FC acquired the 13th overall selection in 2015 and a 2016 second-round pick from the Houston Dash in exchange for a player to be named later. Portland then acquired Taylor from Washington in exchange for the 13th overall pick in 2015, the 2016 second-round pick acquired from Houston and Portland’s natural second-round pick in 2016.

"We’ve been chasing Jodie for awhile," said Thorns FC head coach Paul Riley. "She’s a proven goal scorer and a recognized forward. She’s dangerous and a good finisher, too. She’s one of the premier finishers in the league. I think with the quality players we have around her she’ll score more goals. We are really happy to get her."

A standout at Oregon State, Taylor, 28 was one of the top goal scorers in the NWSL in 2014. A NWSL Second XI pick, Taylor recorded 11 goals (tied for third) and two assists during the regular season. In her first NWSL season, Taylor appeared in 21 matches (19 starts), tallying four game-winning goals as she helped guide Washington to its first-ever appearance in the NWSL Playoffs.

During her professional career, Taylor has played in Australia, England and Sweden in addition to the NWSL. In 2010, Taylor signed with the Melbourne Victory of the W-League, scoring 12 goals in 21 matches from 2010-2012 with the club. Taylor returned to England to join Birmingham City in 2012, helping lead the team to the Women’s FA Cup title, while scoring eight goals in 11 appearances. In 2013, Taylor made the move to the Damallsvenskan in Sweden to play for Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC, scoring 10 goals in 10 matches. Before signing with the Spirit in 2014, Taylor returned to the W-League to play with Sydney FC and finished the season as the league’s top scorer with 12 goals.

An England international, Taylor has earned three caps with the England Women’s National Team, making her debut in an international friendly against Sweden in August 2014.

Taylor played four seasons at Oregon State University from 2004-2007. A four-time first team all-conference selection, Taylor appeared in 78 career matches for the Beavers, recording 47 goals and 19 assists. Taylor currently holds OSU career records in points (113), goals and game-winning goals (18).

Jodie Taylor
Position: Forward
Height: 5-4
Born: May 17, 1986, in Birkenhead, England
Hometown: Birkenhead, England
Last Club: Washington Spirit (NWSL)
College: Oregon State University
Citizenship: England