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It’s official: Portland Thorns FC is trading goalkeeper Adrianna Franch to Kansas City NWSL in exchange for $150,000 in allocation money and goalkeeper Abby Smith.
“We are grateful to AD for all her contributions to this club. She has been a critical part of our team’s success since her arrival not only on the field in helping us win a championship, but also off the field with her incredible commitment and passion for this community and city,” said Gavin Wilkinson, Thorns FC general manager and president of soccer, via a press release. “In speaking with AD we came to the collective decision that the opportunity she has in Kansas City makes sense for both sides and we wish her all the best.”
“AD has consistently been a key player and an important leader for us,” said Thorns FC head coach Mark Parsons via the same press release. “She has grown with this team throughout its most successful years, and we are all extremely grateful for her commitment to this club and the Portland community. I look forward to welcoming Abby to our team and seeing her develop within our environment.”
The trade had previously been reported by Meg Linehan of The Athletic yesterday. For Stumptown’s story on it, click here.
Franch has been with Portland since being acquired in a trade back in 2016. During her five seasons with the club, Franch made 65 starts, posting a goals-against average of 0.95 with 26 shutouts and 198 saves. She was named NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year in 2017 and 2018 and helped the Thorns win the 2016 NWSL Shield and the 2017 NWSL Championship.
Most recently, Franch has been away with the U.S. Women’s National Team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She helped the team win the bronze medal at the Olympics this summer and also helped the team win the 2019 FIFA World Cup. She has eight appearances with the national team.
Smith, meanwhile, has been a part of the NWSL since 2016, originally being drafted by the Boston Breakers in 2016. She has 44 appearances to her name during that span.