Thorns FC announce 2023 preseason roster

(AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Portland Thorns FC today announced their 2023 preseason roster as the team opens training camp. Thorns FC are in Bend, Ore. from Jan. 30-Feb. 4 for the first week of preseason and will return to training at Providence Park on Feb. 6.

Portland will open preseason camp with 27 players. A total of 23 players from the team’s 2022 NWSL Championship squad return ahead of the 2023 season, while NWSL Draft picks Reyna Reyes, Izzy D’Aquila, Lauren DeBeau and Lauren Kozal have arrived for preseason.

The 2023 NWSL regular season will kick off the weekend of Saturday, March 25, with the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup beginning its competition in April. In total, each team will play 28 matches between the regular season and the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup, 14 games at home and 14 games on the road.

Six teams will qualify for the NWSL playoffs set to begin in late October with the top two seeds receiving a first-round bye. The quarterfinal round will be played on Oct. 22, followed by the semifinal round, set for Nov. 4. The 2023 campaign will conclude with the NWSL Championship on Nov.11.

The UKG NWSL Challenge Cup will now run concurrently with the regular season. Consisting of a six-week tournament from April to September, the Cup will feature three groups of four teams playing double round-robin matches for a total of six contests. Following group play, four teams will square off in semifinal matches on Sept. 6 ahead of the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Final on Sept. 9.

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