Tag: Portland Thorns

Sauerbrunn on USWNT: That chapter of my career is over

The longtime captain has earned 219 caps and won two World Cups

One of the all-time greats for the U.S. women’s national team believes her international career has come to an end.

Longtime USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn has said that she is closing the book on a storied national team career that has seen her earn 219 caps and win two World Cups.

Sauerbrunn missed the 2023 World Cup due to injury and has made three USWNT appearances after the tournament last summer, most recently starting in the team’s shock 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the W Gold Cup in February.

Though the 39-year-old continues to be a regular for the Portland Thorns, she hasn’t been called in since the Gold Cup. That has left her with the conclusion that she has likely played her final game for the USWNT — save for any potential testimonial game.

“I think that chapter of my career is over, so I think I’ve also been working through all of those emotions as well,” Sauerbrunn said in an appearance on “Good Game with Sarah Spain” from iHeartPodcast.

The center back has been watching closely as the USWNT has reached Saturday’s gold medal game at the Olympics. Though it’s been difficult to not be on the team, Sauerbrunn said she’s leaned on other players — like the retired Sam Mewis — who were unable to be in France with the team.

“Obviously I gave it a go and I just didn’t make the team,” Sauerbrunn said. “So watching it this go-round was kind of a new experience, but it’s been great because I’ve leaned on other players like Sammy here. Watching the games together, I don’t feel so alone.

“When you aren’t there, you just really do feel kind of isolated. And so having someone there to talk through emotions and things like that has been really great.

“And I so quickly flipped to being a fangirl. It was kind of alarming. It happened at the 2023 World Cup as well. I was injured for that roster, and I was worried about how I was gonna do, and I quickly was just like, ‘Oh, I am the USA’s number one fan.'”

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Portland Thorns vs. Club Tijuana: How to watch Summer Cup, TV channel, live stream

The NWSL side hosts the Liga MX Femenil side at Providence Park

The NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup has arrived, and Sunday will see the Portland Thorns kick off the competition against Club Tijuana.

All 14 NWSL teams and six teams from Liga MX will take part in the Summer Cup, with every match aside from the championship taking place over the next two weeks.

The tournament will coincide with the 2024 Olympics, as the NWSL takes a break from its regular season with matches that are likely to see several fringe players get opportunities to shine.

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The Thorns entered the break in league play sitting fifth in the table, and will have to contend with the absences of Olympic players like Janine Beckie, Jessie Fleming, Sophia Smith and Sam Coffey.

The Seattle Reign and the Utah Royals are also in Group B alongside Portland and Tijuana, with Seattle opening the competition with a 2-1 win over Utah on Friday night.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Portland Thorns vs. Tijuana (Summer Cup)

  • When: Sunday, July 21
  • Where: Providence Park (Portland, OR)
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: Paramount+ (WATCH NOW), CBS Sports Golazo Network

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Tampa Bay Sun FC defends signing controversial ex-NWSL draft pick Nasello

The Portland Thorns didn’t sign the forward in 2022 after a firestorm surrounding her social media activity

Tampa Bay Sun FC has signed former Portland Thorns draft pick Sydny Nasello, who did not play in the NWSL after controversy erupted over her social media activity.

Nasello was selected 13th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft, but fans quickly raised concerns over her sharing several tweets that were alleged to be xenophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic.

In the aftermath of the selection, Thorns supporters group Rose City Riveters posted: “Fascism, racism, homophobia, transphobia- we are against these. We don’t support anyone who represents/espouses these views, full stop.”

Though Nasello apologized, the Thorns eventually opted to not sign the forward. The team’s head coach at the time, Rhian Wilkinson, admitted that the club didn’t do enough due diligence before selecting Nasello.

“As a first year head coach and — yeah, these are these are gonna come across as excuses — but I do need to hold my hand up and be responsible for not doing the work needed on the social media side,” Wilkinson said, per The Athletic.

Nasello wound up signing for Spanish side Tenerife, before playing for Cypriot side Apollon Limassol and most recently Turkish club Fatih Vatan Spor Kulübü.

Sun defends Nasello signing

On Monday, the Sun announced it had landed Nasello ahead of the club’s first season in the brand-new USL Super League.

After announcing the 24-year-old’s signing, Tampa Bay released a statement saying that the ex-U.S. youth international had changed after spending two years abroad.

“Sydny is a talented and experienced athlete, and we look forward to seeing her contributions on the field,” the club said.

“We understand that today’s announcement may generate discussion. However, we believe in Sydny’s growth and the experiences that have contributed to her perspectives today.

“Sydny’s career has taken her worldwide, fostering a deep appreciation for diversity and understanding, values that the Tampa Bay Sun Football Club holds dear.

“We celebrate our city’s rich tapestry and the opportunity for all members of our community to learn, grow and make positive change.”

The USL Super League’s inaugural season will begin in August, as the league — which has been granted Division One sanctioning by U.S. Soccer — gets set to launch with eight clubs across the country.

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USWNT, Thorns midfielder Moultrie ‘week to week’ with knee injury

The injury could end the teenager’s hopes of making the Olympic roster

Portland Thorns and U.S. women’s national team midfielder Olivia Moultrie is “week to week” with a knee injury, per a Thorns spokesperson.

Moultrie last played on June 8 against the North Carolina Courage, and has since missed two straight matches for the Thorns. On her X account, the 18-year-old said she also wouldn’t be traveling to Utah for this weekend’s match at the Royals.

She also posted a carousel of photos on Instagram over the weekend, including one of her in a large leg brace.

When contacted by Pro Soccer Wire, a Thorns spokesperson said Moultrie was “week to week,” and added that “it was not a major injury.”

Still, the timing is far from ideal for the teenager’s chances of making the USWNT’s Olympic roster.

Moultrie has been capped four times by the USWNT, most recently in March in the W Gold Cup. The playmaker was called into the roster for the SheBelieves Cup in April, but didn’t see the field in games against Japan and Canada.

The Thorns star was then called up as a training player for a pair of June friendlies against South Korea, meaning she was not eligible to participate in either match.

Given USWNT head coach Emma Hayes will name her 18-player Olympic roster on Wednesday, it appears Moultrie is unlikely to make the squad.

Moultrie is considered one of the rising stars in the USWNT program and at age 18, she is likely to have several major tournaments ahead of her even if she isn’t on the Olympic roster.

The midfielder has three goals and one assist in 12 appearances this season for the Thorns.

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Coffey returns from injury in huge boost to USWNT ahead of Olympics

Emma Hayes will breathe a huge sigh of relief at the news

Thankfully for the Portland Thorns and the U.S. women’s national team, Sam Coffey’s injury absence was a short one.

Coffey returned to the field on Sunday night, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute in Portland’s 4-1 defeat against the Kansas City Current at Providence Park.

The midfielder was removed from a Thorns game two weeks earlier due to an ankle injury, and was spotted on the sideline in a walking boot.

Coffey missed the Thorns’ 0-0 draw with the Seattle Reign last weekend, but the 25-year-old returned on Sunday after just one full game out.

Coffey’s return will be a major boost for the USWNT and head coach Emma Hayes, who will name an 18-player roster for the Olympics at some point in the coming weeks.

The Thorns midfielder has become first choice at holding midfielder for the national team, starting eight of the USWNT’s 10 games thus far in 2024.

The USWNT will have its Olympic roster set when it faces Mexico on July 13 and Costa Rica on July 16 in a pair of warm-up friendlies.

The team will then travel to France, kicking off the Olympics on July 25 against Zambia. Hayes’ side will close out group play with games against Germany and Australia.

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NWSL punishes Portland Thorns for ‘frivolous’ appeal of Smith red card

The Thorns are in hot water, but Smith isn’t after a convoluted series of appeals and punishment

Sophia Smith probably didn’t bargain for a playful moment on the touchline turning into such a kerfuffle.

The U.S. women’s national team star, after two appeals from different organizations, will be allowed to return for the Portland Thorns in Sunday’s NWSL match against the Kansas City Current.

However, the entire incident has ended with the Thorns losing a $10,000 bond and the right to appeal any further suspensions in the 2024 or 2025 seasons.

The convoluted issue began simply enough. In June 8’s 1-0 win over the North Carolina Courage, Smith — sitting on the bench minutes after being substituted — found herself near the ball as it rolled out of bounds for a Thorns throw-in.

Seemingly as a joke, Smith crawled over to the ball and slowly dragged it under her seat on Portland’s bench.

However, referee Danielle Chesky, who had booked Smith for a different moment of time-wasting in the 89th minute, was not in a mood for such goofery. Chesky presented Smith with a second yellow card, sending her off and triggering an automatic one-game ban.

Smith served her suspension in a scoreless draw with the Seattle Reign on Sunday, but in the meantime the drama was going on behind the scenes.

On Tuesday, the NWSL announced that Portland had appealed the suspension, which per league policy allowed the Thorns to make their case to an independent review panel.

The panel, per the league, “unanimously (i) denied the appeal, and (ii) determined the appeal was frivolous.”

This may sound like simple public shaming from the league, but the word “frivolous” is specifically in the league’s operations manual, and appeals that cross that line come with a significant punishment.

Portland will lose a $10,000 bond (something the league requires all clubs to post as a deterrent for appealing suspensions without cause), as well as the right to appeal any further suspensions for the remainder of the 2024 season as well as the entire 2025 season, all the way through the playoffs.

Additionally, the league rules require that frivolous appeals are met with a doubling of the discipline involved, meaning that the NWSL initially extended Smith’s suspension and increased her fine.

However, the NWSL Players Association has the right to appeal discipline on a player’s behalf, and in this case it intervened on Smith’s behalf.

Per the NWSL, a review committee unanimously agreed with the NWSLPA’s position, making Smith eligible to play this weekend and helping her keep a little more cash in her pocket.

However, that has nothing to do with the punishment doled out for the Thorns, whose lost bond and inability to appeal further disciplinary action remain in place.

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Sophia Smith’s first career red card was comedy gold

The USWNT star attempted soccer’s version of the hidden ball trick

Sophia Smith was shown a red card in gloriously weird fashion on Saturday night, as the Portland Thorns beat the North Carolina Courage 1-0.

Smith’s first career red card involved not one, but two yellow cards for time wasting — the second of which came in a moment of pure slapstick.

The U.S. women’s national team star had given her side the lead at Providence Park with a 79th-minute penalty kick. With Portland holding onto a late 1-0 advantage, Smith was shown a yellow card in the 89th minute for kicking the ball away when play had been stopped.

Deep into stoppage time, Thorns head coach Rob Gale removed Smith from the match. From there, the weirdness truly began.

A ball went out of play on the sideline, which Smith quickly grabbed and attempted to hide under the bench. The forward clearly knew what she was doing, as she had a mischievous grin on her face as she attempted the soccer version of the hidden ball trick.

Referee Danielle Chesky was not amused by Smith’s antics, brandishing a second yellow card.

Portland went on to win 1-0, but Smith will now be suspended for next week’s derby match against the Seattle Reign.

Not only will the Thorns be without Smith (pending appeal), but they may also be missing midfielder Sam Coffey, who was removed from Saturday’s game early with an injury.

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USWNT star Sophia Smith misses Portland Thorns match with injury

It sounds like Smith is a question mark for the USWNT in its upcoming friendlies

The U.S. women’s national team has one more injury worry to keep track of.

Sophia Smith played no part as the Portland Thorns fell 2-1 to the Orlando Pride on Friday night in what was a clash between two teams on lengthy winning streaks.

Smith was listed as questionable for the match with a “lower leg” injury, and ended up being left off of head coach Rob Gale’s team sheet.

“No,” Gale told reporters in a press conference when asked about whether he was concerned about Smith having a longer-term issue. “It was just a day or two — probably two — early, with the lower-leg injury.

“We expect her to be up [and playing soon], hopefully the U.S. will manage her properly in that environment, knowing that she wasn’t available for today. I think they’ll have to manage her, and build her up possibly for the second game.”

Smith was still included on Emma Hayes’ first USWNT roster for matches against South Korea on June 1 and June 4. The timeline for when she picked up her injury and when the U.S. assembled its roster is at this point unknown, though Gale noted that it was an issue Portland knew about coming into the weekend.

The USWNT attack includes multiple players navigating various knocks. Alex Morgan returned Thursday night for the San Diego Wave after a month on the sidelines, while Jaedyn Shaw came back recently as well.

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‘Hello?!’ – Smith pauses TV interview to call out Thorns for team photo without her

“Sorry, that was so disrespectful”

The Portland Thorns got together for a team photo after Saturday’s win at the Chicago Red Stars, but they forgot to include the person most responsible for said victory.

Sophia Smith, who scored both goals in a 2-0 win, was in the middle of a TV interview, but didn’t let that stop her from letting her teammates know about the egregious oversight.

It made for some excellent TV.

Smith was speaking to ION after the game, and the timing of her noticing the photo serendipitously flowed right into her sentence.

“I have a great team around me and…they’re taking a team picture without me! Hello!?” Smith called out in bemusement, before giving a look that will launch a thousand memes.

“Sorry, that was so disrespectful,” Smith concluded.

Watch Smith call out Thorns for team photo

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NWSL has new top earner (again) as USWNT star Smith signs new Thorns deal

The 23-year-old is the league’s newest top earner

There is, once again, a new player who holds the title of the NWSL’s top earner.

This time the honor goes to Portland Thorns star Sophia Smith, who has signed a new contract through the 2025 season, with a player option for 2026.

The Thorns also confirmed that Smith now has the highest annual salary in the league.

“I’m excited to call Portland home and extend my time with the Thorns,” Smith said in a club release. “The support from the fans, city and club have been tremendous and I’m looking forward to being a part of its next chapter. I’m grateful for the support from Karina and the Bhathal family to me and my teammates, as we move forward and work hard to lift more trophies for the Thorns.”

In December, the Houston Dash made María Sánchez the highest-paid player in the league with a contract worth $1.5 million over four years. Just a month later, the Chicago Red Stars signed Mallory Swanson to an even larger deal.

ESPN also reported that Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda both signed contracts worth similar amounts to Swanson’s.

Now Smith has surpassed all of those deals on an annual basis, as the 23-year-old eyes a long future in Portland after initially joining the Thorns as the first overall pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft.

Smith has gone on to become one of the NWSL’s biggest stars, leading the Thorns to the NWSL championship in a 2022 season in which she was also named the league’s MVP. Overall, she has 40 goals across all competition in her Thorns career.

At the international level, Smith has become a regular for the U.S. women’s national team, scoring 16 goals. Smith was named the 2022 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, becoming the youngest player in nearly 30 years to win the award.

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