Thorns Announce Opening Day Roster

The Portland Thorns announced their opening day roster for the 2016 season on Monday.

There were few surprises, aside from the decision to carry less than the maximum allotment of 20 players to begin the season.  The Thorns will begin the season with 17 available players, while Amandine Henry is listed on the Thorns roster, despite not joining the team until early June.  The Thorns had several prospects in camp, but at this point they remained unsigned.

The Thorns open the 2016 season against expansion side Orlando Pride this Sunday at Providence Park.

More details to come.

Portland Thorns Press Release:

THORNS FC ANNOUNCE 2016 SEASON-OPENING ROSTER
Portland kicks off 2016 NWSL campaign against Orlando Pride on April 17 at Providence Park

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC today announced the team’s season-opening roster for the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League campaign. Thorns FC open the 2016 NWSL season at home Sunday against NWSL expansion side the Orlando Pride; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).

Led by head coach Mark Parsons in his first season with Thorns FC, the current roster is highlighted by a number of high-profile national team players, including U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Tobin Heath and Canada Women’s National Team captain Christine Sinclair, who both return for their fourth season with the club. The 2016 roster also features three new U.S. Women’s National Team players: defender Meghan Klingenberg, midfielder Lindsey Horan and defender Emily Sonnett – the first-overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft as well as three new international players, including France Women’s National Team midfielder and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Silver Ball winner Amandine Henry, Danish forward Nadia Nadim and Icelandic midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir.

Portland also added several other key players during the offseason through trades and the 2016 NWSL College Draft, acquiring defender Katherine Reynolds and goalkeeper Adrianna Franch in two separate trades. In addition, Thorns FC have signed defender McKenzie Berryhill, the club’s third-round pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, and forward Mallory Weber, who was originally drafted 14th overall by the Western New York Flash and was acquired by Portland in a trade on March 30, as both begin their rookie campaigns in 2016.

Six other players return as part of Portland’s roster for the 2016 campaign, including midfielder Allie Long, goalkeeper Michelle Betos, defenders Kendall Johnson, Emily Menges and Kat Williamson and forward Mana Shim.

PORTLAND THORNS FC
ROSTERED PLAYERS (18 of 20 spots filled):
GOALKEEPERS (2): Michelle Betos, Adrianna Franch
DEFENDERS (7): McKenzie Berryhill, Kendall Johnson, Meghan Klingenberg (FP-USA), Emily Menges, Katherine Reynolds, Emily Sonnett (FP-USA), Kat Williamson
MIDFIELDERS (5): Dagny Brynjarsdottir (INT’L-ISL), Tobin Heath (FP-USA), Lindsey Horan (FP-USA), Allie Long, Amandine Henry* (INT’L-FRA)
FORWARDS (4): Nadia Nadim (INT’L-DEN), Mana Shim, Christine Sinclair (FP-CAN), Mallory Weber

FEDERATION PLAYERS (FP): 5
INT'L ROSTER SPOTS FILLED (INT'L): 3

*will arrive later this season