Thorns Call Up Three Amateurs

The Portland Thorns have called in three amateur players to help offset the loss of six internationals due to the United States Women's National Team's camp prior to their early June friendlies against Japan in on June 2 and 5.

Midfielder Maureen Fitzgerald, goalkeeper Emily Kruger, and forward Shade Pratt will all join the Thorns for their match against the Seattle Reign at Providence Park on Sunday,

Fitzgerald completed her collegiate career in 2012, making 83 appearances with Oregon (2010-2012) and Boise State (2009).  She continued her playing career in the Women's Premier Soccer League, where she was a Northwest Division All-Star with Tualatin Hills United SC Diamonds in 2014.  Most recently, she has been an assistant coach with Concordia University in Northeast Portland.

Kruger has been around the Thorns organization for the past two seasons as a reserve goalkeeper, joining the team prior to the 2015 preseason, but has not made an appearance for the Thorns in the regular season.

Pratt joined the Thorns prior to the 2016 preseason, making appearances in a three of their preseason matches, including starting their match against Oregon State.  Pratt was originally drafted by Sky Blue FC in the 2015 NWSL College Draft, but did not make an appearance.

NWSL Press Release:

NWSL ANNOUNCES AMATEUR PLAYER CALL-UPS FOR WEEK 7

CHICAGO (May 27, 2016) - The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced today that 12 Amateur Players have been called up by clubs to be available for selection in Week 7 of the 2016 NWSL season. The Boston Breakers, Houston Dash, FC Kansas City and Western New York Flash have decided not to call-up an Amateur Player this week.

NWSL	No.	Name	Pos.	Pronunciation	Hometown	College	Last Team
CRS	25	Kassidy Brown	M		Lake Zurich, Ill.	Illinois
CRS	20	Jannelle Flaws	F		Glenview, Ill.	Illinois
CRS	33	Brianna Smallidge	GK		Port Orchard, Wash.	Seattle
ORL	22	Megan Dorsey	GK	door-see	Melbourne, Fla.	North Florida
ORL	15	Allie Wisner	F	WHIZ-ner	Bozeman, Mont.	Utah	Anderlecht (Belgium)
PTFC	27	Maureen Fitzgerald	M	fits-Gerald	Beaverton, Ore.	Oregon
PTFC	88	Emily Kruger	GK	K -ROO-g-uh-r	Woodside, Calif.	California	KR Reykjavik (Iceland)
PTFC	29	Shade Pratt	F	Shah-day	Rosemount, Minn.	Maryland	Sky Blue FC
SRFC	24	Andi Tostanoski	GK	toss-tan-aw-ski	Colorado Springs, Colo.	Santa Clara	Seattle Reign FC
SBFC	44	Theresa Diedrich	M	DEE-Drick	Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.	Alabama
WAS	21	Alli Murphy	M		Plano, Texas	Texas Tech	Spirit Reserves
WAS	29	Haley Rosen	F	r-OH-z-uh-n	Rolling Hills, Calif.	Stanford	Spirit Reserves

If a national team player is being called up for national team duty, a team may bring in a U.S. Amateur Player to count toward the 20-Player Roster. The team is not to provide any compensation to the Amateur Player, but may cover necessary expenses as approved by the League.

• Each Team's Amateur List will initially be allowed 10 amateur Players

• The Players listed on the Amateur List may remain there through the end of the 2016 Season.

The player must be registered as an Amateur Player with U.S. Soccer. A player registered as a professional may not regain amateur status until 30 days have elapsed since her last game competed in as a professional.

Week 7 kicks off on Friday, May 27 as the Western New York Flash host the Boston Breakers at 7 p.m. ET at Rhinos Stadium, and the Houston Dash take on the Washington Spirit at 8:30 p.m. ET at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Next, FC Kansas City welcomes the Orlando Pride for the first time at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 28 at Swope Soccer Village. On Sunday, May 29, the Portland Thorns FC faces off against Seattle Reign FC at 7 p.m. ET at Providence Park while the Chicago Red Stars host Sky Blue FC at 7 p.m. ET at Toyota Park.