Portland Thorns Trade International Spot for Western New York Flash Forward Mallory Weber

With the departure of forward Jodie Taylor to Arsenal, the Portland Thorns have suddenly found themselves without much depth along the forward line as the 2016 NWSL season rapidly approaches. To remedy that situation, Mark Parsons and company have engineered a trade for Western New York Flash rookie forward Mallory Weber, sending an international roster spot back east in exchange. The Thorns also received a third round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft in the deal.

Weber, 21, was taken by the Flash with the No. 14 pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. A four year starter with 2015 NCAA Champions Penn State, Weber played 100 games for the Nittany Lions from 2012 to 2015, scoring 36 goals and serving up 29 assists in that time.

Weber was called up for the US U-23 National Team camp this past winter, but did not play in the side's January 25th win over Iceland.

Although she was a regular and consistent goal scorer during her college career, Weber made significant strides in her ability to play provider in her junior and senior years, ultimately notching eleven assists in her final year with the Nittany Lions. Of those eleven assists, it is the final one that most stands out: in Penn State's 1-0 win over Duke to win the 2015 NCAA tournament, it was Weber who assisted on Raquel "Rocky" Rodriguez's 72nd minute goal to seal the win.

Highlights from Weber's college career:

The Thorns' press release:

THORNS FC ACQUIRE RIGHTS TO FORWARD MALLORY WEBER, 2017 NWSL COLLEGE DRAFT PICK FROM WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH 

Portland sends international roster spot for 2016 to Flash in exchange for Weber and third-round pick in 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have acquired the rights to forward Mallory Weber and a third-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Western New York Flash in exchange for an international roster spot for the 2016 season, it was announced today. Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Weber, 21, helped lead Penn State to a national championship in 2015, tallying eight goals and 11 assists during her senior campaign for the Nittany Lions. A four-year starter at Penn State, Weber recorded 36 goals and 29 assists in 100 career games (97 starts). Drafted 14th overall in the 2016 NWSL College Draft by the Flash, Weber was named to the 2015 College Cup All-Tournament team, and earned NSCAA All-Great Lakes region second-team accolades and All-Big Ten first-team honors in 2015. 

"Mallory is someone we had a strong interest in before the draft and we are pleased that we have been able to bring her to Portland," said Thorns FC head coach Mark Parsons. "She is a talented, versatile forward with great pace, excellent character and a strong work ethic."

As a youth international, Weber has gained experience with the U.S. U-20 and U-23 women’s national teams and was recently called in to a U-23 women’s national team camp in January. At the U-20 level, Weber helped lead the United States to the 2014 CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship.

Mallory Weber
Position: Forward 
Height: 5-6
Born: April 4, 1994
Hometown: Novi, Mich. 
College: Penn State University
Acquired: Acquired March 30, 2016, from Western New York in exchange for 2016 international roster spot.