The Thorns are ready for the 2023 preseason

After earning their third star in 2022, the NWSL Champions returned to action this Monday on a snow-covered Bend, in Oregon. The Portland Thorns will train there this week and Providence Park will welcome them on February 6.

After announcing the new contracts for Hannah Betfort, Shelby Hogan, Tegan McGrady, Meaghan Nally and Michelle Vasconcelos, coach Mike Norris made public the list of the 27 players that will have an opportunity to showcase their talents to be part of the final roster that will defend the title in 2023. Let’s remember that, according to NWSL rules, a team cannot have more than 24 senior players assigned to its roster at any one time.

This 2023 preseason roster includes the players drafted in Philadelphia: Lauren Kozal, Reyna Reyes, Izzy D’Aquila and Lauren DeBeau.

2023 Thorns FC Preseason Roster

Goalkeepers (3): Bella Bixby, Shelby Hogan, Lauren Kozal (DRAFT)

Defenders (9): Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, Natalia Kuikka (INTL), Tegan McGrady, Emily Menges, Meaghan Nally, Gabby Provenzano, Reyna Reyes (DRAFT), Becky Sauerbrunn

Midfielders (7): Sam Coffey, Crystal Dunn, Olivia Moultrie, Taylor Porter, Rocky Rodríguez, Christine Sinclair, Hina Sugita (INTL)

Forwards (8): Janine Beckie, Natalie Beckman, Hannah Betfort, Izzy D’Aquila (DRAFT), Lauren DeBeau (DRAFT), Sophia Smith, Michele Vasconcelos, Morgan Weaver

Key:

NRI – Non-roster invitee

NYR – Not yet reported to camp

INTL – International Player

DRAFT – 2023 NWSL Draft Pick

(Update: it looks like you can add one more name to the preseason roster: full back Chaylyn Hubbard out of TCU. Hubbard went undrafted earlier this month, and spent time in college as a midfielder and is projected as a fullback in the pro game. She will be looking to earn a pro contract with Portland by the time the NWSL season kicks off in March.)

The 2023 NWSL season will kick off on March 25 and will finish in October, while the revamped Challenge Cup will run concurrently with the regular season from April to September.