Stumptown Footy - Portland Thorns FC Player ProfilesYou are my sunshine, my only sunshine.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/31537/stumptown-fave.jpg2013-01-29T08:30:38-08:00http://www.stumptownfooty.com/rss/stream/36432372013-01-29T08:30:38-08:002013-01-29T08:30:38-08:00Thorns Player Profile: Alex Morgan
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Alex Morgan is one of the brightest stars on the USWNT, and promises to put on a show when she suits up for the Thorns.</p> <p>The Portland Thorns got some great players through the NWSL allocation and were widely regarded as the big winners of the day. The most exciting name on the list for Portland soccer fans was USWNT forward <span>Alex Morgan</span>.</p>
<h3>Brief History</h3>
<p>Growing up in Diamond Bar, California in the L.A. area, Morgan played a handful of sports, but did not get serious about soccer until the relatively late age of 14, when she joined a club team. Her delayed start did not stop her from getting call-ups to the U-17 and U-20 national teams just a few years later. Morgan was also highly successful with her college team and was the leading scorer for the University of California, Berkeley for all four years of college. She graduated early with a degree in Political Economy and went on to be the number one overall pick by the Western New York Flash in the 2011 WPS draft.</p>
<p>Morgan's first cap with the senior national team came in 2010, and the world first started to take notice of her in earnest during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where she was the youngest player on the U.S. team. If she was hinting at what she was capable of in 2011, she laid it all on the table in 2012. At the Olympics, Morgan scored three goals and assisted four, and over the course of a year, she led the team in goals, assists, and multi-goal games.</p>
<h3>Accolades</h3>
<p>The 23-year-old already has an impressive list of accolades and accomplishments. Here are a few.</p>
<ul>
<li>Herman Trophy Finalist</li>
<li>2011 WPS Championship</li>
<li>2008 U-20 Women's World Cup Champion</li>
<li>2011 Women's World Cup, runner up</li>
<li>2012 Olympic Gold Medal </li>
<li>U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year</li>
<li>3rd in Ballon D'Or voting</li>
</ul>
<h3>Thoughts</h3>
<p>It has been said before, but it bears repeating: with Alex Morgan and <span>Christine Sinclair</span>, the Thorns look very likely to have the most dangerous and exciting attack in the league. While both players can score goals in bunches, Morgan is also great at setting them up. Expect to see her not just getting her own chances, but assisting goals by Sinclair and her other teammates as well. These two should make it a fun inaugural season.</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2013/1/29/3927500/portland-thorns-fc-player-profile-alex-morganStacey Neve2013-01-27T11:00:20-08:002013-01-27T11:00:20-08:00Thorns Player Profile: Christine Sinclair
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>A University of Portland Pilot legend, Christine Sinclair has become one of the best female strikers in the world, most recently leading her Canadian national team to a bronze medal in the London Olympics.</p> <p>One of two international superstars on the Thorns' roster, <span>Christine Sinclair</span> is certainly the most accomplished. At age 29, she is currently in third place behind Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach in career international goals, with 143.</p>
<h3>Brief History</h3>
<p>A native of Burnaby, BC, Sinclair made her first appearance for the Canadian National Team as a teenager during the 2000 Algarve Cup, during which she led her team in scoring. She then attended the University of Portland, where she led the Pilots to the college's two national women's soccer titles. In 94 career matches as a Pilot, Sinclair scored 110 goals, including an NCAA Division I-leading 39 goals her senior year. Her junior and senior year performances earned her two consecutive Herman Trophies, a feat shared in the women's game only by <span>Cindy Parlow Cone</span> and Mia Hamm.</p>
<p>As a professional, Sinclair led two teams, FC Gold Pride and Western New York Flash, to WPS titles in 2010 and 2011, scoring 10 goals in 15 matches in her most recent professional season.</p>
<p>She is known most recently for scoring a hattrick in the semi-final match of the London Olympics against the United States -- the first hattrick scored against the US since 2001 (thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMikeDonovan/status/294193432119877632" target="_blank">Mike Donovan</a> for finding that tidbit). Canada lost the match in spite of her efforts, thanks to a few baffling calls on the part of the referee. Her <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/07/source-sinclair-not-expected-to-face-suspension-over-post-match-comments" target="_blank">reaction to the loss</a> in the press endeared her even more to Canadian fans, as she was chosen to carry their flag during the closing ceremonies, but it may have cost her votes for the FIFA World Player of the Year.</p>
<h3>Accolades</h3>
<p>Too many to count, but here are but a smattering:</p>
<p>2002 U-19 Women's World Championship Golden Boot and Golden Ball</p>
<p>Every Canadian Player of the Year award since 2005, and two more before that</p>
<p>2 Herman Trophies</p>
<p>2012 Lou Marsh Award (the first footballer of either gender to win)</p>
<p>Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal</p>
<h3>Thoughts</h3>
<p>Sinclair is a studious, intense, focused player, with raw athletic talent overshadowed only by her intrinsic understanding of the game. As difficult as it is to imagine, remembering the impressive start to her career as a teenager, Sinclair has continued to improve her game throughout her career, putting up ever more impressive numbers. If she stays healthy, look for her to continue to put her stamp on the game as a Thorn. I can't wait to start watching her from the North End.</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/portland-women/2013/1/27/3913826/portland-thorns-fc-player-profile-christine-sinclairAndrew Wheeler2013-01-23T11:00:05-08:002013-01-23T11:00:05-08:00Portland Thorns FC Player Profile: Buehler
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<figcaption>Leon Halip</figcaption>
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<p>As one of the USWNT standout defenders, Buehler promises to be an exciting piece to the Thorns' backline.</p> <p>During the NWSL Allocation Draft, the Portland Thorns FC picked up two very exciting players in <span>Christine Sinclair</span> and <span>Alex Morgan</span>. However, those two players will only get you so far as a great offensive side means little without a standout defensive side. This is where <span>Rachel Buehler</span> shines.</p>
<h3>Brief History</h3>
<p>Buehler, at 27, has had a fairly stable career given the circumstances of the league she was a part of. She began her collegiate career at Stanford where she played from 2006-2008. From there she joined FC Gold Pride in the Bay area where she was able to record 39 appearances from 2009-2010. From there she was traded to the Boston Breakers, presumably when FC Gold Pride was dissolved in 2010.</p>
<p>On the international level, Buehler has contributed far more with her have appeared for the U-19, U-21, U-23, and senior USWNTs. In total she has recorded 98 appearances with the senior national team including being a part of both the US Women's World Cup in 2011 and the US Women's Olympic team in 2012.</p>
<h3>Accolades</h3>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">NCAA Top VIII Award</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">WPA Championship - 2010 FC Gold Pride</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Women's World Cup, runner-up</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">2012 Olympic Gold Medal</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Thoughts</h3>
<p>As stated above, it's easy to be excited for the Thorn's attacking prospects, but really the defense is where it all begins for a club. Buehler should prove to be one of the key players on the team. In fact, without her, I'm not sure that the Thorns would be all that great of a team.</p>
<p>One worrying trend we are starting to see among some returning players to club teams, however, is the lack of playing time during 2012. Buehler did not appear to have much playing time in 2012 aside from with the USWNT. Those kind of minutes with the national team are great, don't get me wrong, but they're also fairly sparse. Here's hoping she's able to make a quick recovery to form.</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2013/1/23/3907498/portland-thorns-fc-player-profile-rachel-buehlerGeoff Gibson2013-01-19T09:00:02-08:002013-01-19T09:00:02-08:00Portland Thorns FC Player Profile: Charito
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<figcaption>Nick Laham</figcaption>
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<p>An experienced defender with the Mexican National Team, with 106 caps, Luz "Charito" joins the Portland Thorns for the upcoming NWSL season.</p> <p>In our continuation of the series introducing the new Portland Thorns players we would like to introduce you to one of Mexican National team allocated players. I would also like to give a shout out to Sheba for translating some of the materials I found, without her I would know next to nothing about Charito.</p>
<h4>Brief History</h4>
<p>Luz "Charito" Saucedo, her full name is Luz del Rosario Saucedo Soto, grew up with three brothers who loved soccer. Through their influence she began playing soccer for her elementary school on the boy's team because there were no girl's teams because girls didn't play organized soccer. Once she made it to middle school she was forced off the team because school officials thought she would be hurt by the boys.</p>
<p>Thankfully with the full support of her parents she continued her soccer education and eventually was called up to the U-20 Mexican National team.</p>
<h4>Accolades</h4>
<p>These were hard to find as she did not play college soccer so instead I will list the major tournaments she has played in:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 8.991477012634277px;">2002 U-20 Women's World Cup (1 appearance) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 8.991477012634277px;">2004 Olympics (1 appearance) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 8.991477012634277px;">2011 Women's World Cup (2 starts and three appearances) </span></li>
</ul>
<h4><span style="line-height: 8.863636016845703px;">Thoughts</span></h4>
<div>She is probably the biggest unknown on the roster as there is next to nothing on the internet and the only videos I could find are from a soccer camp she helped out at. Judging by some of the Getty images and who she is pictured defending I would say she is an outside back and that is about all I can say. Guess we will have to use the wait and see approach.</div>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2013/1/19/3892912/portland-thorns-fc-player-profile-luz-saucedoRyan Gates2013-01-18T07:00:04-08:002013-01-18T07:00:04-08:00Portland Thorns FC Player Profile: Sandoval
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<figcaption>Christof Koepsel</figcaption>
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<p>An eight year veteran of the Mexican national team, Marlene Sandoval has amassed 85 caps in the last eight years.</p> <p>On Tuesday Geoff kicked off our Thorns FC player profiles with an <a href="http://www.stumptownfooty.com/2013/1/15/3879108/portland-thorns-fc-player-profile-karina-leblanc">introduction</a> to goalkeeper <span>Karina LeBlanc</span>. Today we continue the profiles on the defensive end with Mexican international <span>Marlene Sandoval</span>.</p>
<h3>Brief History</h3>
<p>Rubi Marlene Sandoval Nungaray was born and raised in the United States with both American and Mexican citizenship. After attending high school in Placentia, California, Sandoval continued her playing career at Cal-State Fullerton where she was enrolled from 2002-2005.</p>
<p>Sandoval's playing time after leaving Cal-State is something of a mystery. She was first capped for the national team in 2002, her freshman year, and saw regular action as a defensive substitute and occasional starter for Mexico, and played for several clubs; including the L.A. Vikings of the WPSL and the Santa Clarita Blue Heat of the W-League in 2012.</p>
<p>In the 2011 World Cup, Sandoval started Mexico's first game of the tournament but was withdrawn for the team's next outing, a disastrous 4-0 loss to the Japanese, the eventual champions of the Cup.</p>
<p>Sandoval also had a brief stint as an assistant coach at Cal-State while working on her graduate degree in kinesiology.</p>
<h3>Accolades</h3>
<p>Sandoval received numerous accolades in high school and college for her play, but a cloudy playing career since then does not leave much with which to work.</p>
<ul>
<li>NSCAA Second-Team All-American, 2005<br>
</li>
<li>Big West Conference Defender of the Year, 2005<br>
</li>
<li>Pan American Games - Bronze Medal, 2011</li>
</ul>
<h3>Thoughts</h3>
<p>Sandoval, while not a consistent starter, has been with the Mexican National Team for over a decade now and has continued getting caps. Sandoval does not look like a game changer, but she should provide a steady hand at the back for what currently looks like an offensively inclined team.</p>
<p>Sandoval is the tallest of the Timbers defenders and should pair up well with American center back Rachel Buelher. Having outside back and fellow Mexican international <span>Luz Saucedo</span> lining up at fullback should also help to cement the Thorns' back line. Sandoval and Saucedo lined up together in Mexico's 1-1 draw against England in the 2011 World Cup.</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2013/1/18/3885964/portland-thorns-fc-player-profile-marlene-sondovalWilliam Conwell2013-01-15T09:02:26-08:002013-01-15T09:02:26-08:00Portland Thorns FC Player Profile: LeBlanc
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<figcaption>Jeff Vinnick</figcaption>
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<p>The starting Canadian goalkeeper is considered to be one of the best in the world.</p> <p>Last Friday saw the Portland Thorns FC acquire seven stand out players in the first ever NWSL Allocation Draft. While many of you have probably at least heard of names like <span>Alex Morgan</span> and <span>Christine Sinclair</span>, knowing who they actually are is a bit different. Take, for example, our newest goalkeeper: <span>Karina LeBlanc</span>.</p>
<h4>Brief History</h4>
<p>Born in 1980, despite her Canadian soccer affiliation, LeBlanc is actually an American-born player from Atlanta, Georgia. She represented the University of Nebraska from 1997-2000 before signing with an actual club, the Boston Breakers, in 2001.</p>
<p>While she didn't see much time, as a rookie, with the WUSA club, she did eventually find some time playing for the New Jersey Wildcats from 2005-2006 of the W-USL league. It's worth pointing out here that in 2005, the Wildcats were the champions of their league and in 2006 they made it to the Conference Finals.</p>
<p>After 2006, LeBlanc played for a series of WPA teams including the LA Sol, Philadelphia Independence and magicJack. The latter of which she played as the second string keeper to American international <span>Hope Solo</span>.</p>
<p>Internationally, LeBlanc has over 100 caps with the Canadian national team.</p>
<h4>Accolades</h4>
<p>LeBlanc has a number of accolades attached to her name:</p>
<ul>
<li>W-USL Champions, 2005</li>
<li>WPA Champions 2009</li>
<li>Guadalajara 2011 - Gold Medal</li>
<li>2012 Olympics - Bronze Medal</li>
</ul>
<h4>Thoughts</h4>
<p>While LeBlanc doesn't necessarily have the star power that Seattle's current goalkeeper, Hope Solo, does, she brings with her over a decades worth of goalkeeping experience and numerous championships that she has helped her clubs earn. Additionally, being the starting keeper for the #7 ranked national team in the World by FIFA is certainly nothing to scoff at, even if they did just lose 3-1 to China.</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2013/1/15/3879108/portland-thorns-fc-player-profile-karina-leblancGeoff Gibson