Emily Menges and Hannah Betfort traded for full Expansion Draft protection
Portland trades Emily Menges to Bay FC and Hannah Betfort to Utah Royals for full expansion draft protection.
In a surprising move, General Manager Karina LeBlanc has traded Emily Menges to Bay FC for draft protection from the expansion side and $75,000 in allocation money.
“I want to thank Emily for everything she’s done for our club and community over her 10 seasons in Portland. She helped shape the Thorns into the team we are now, and we wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors,” shared Thorns FC General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc. “Expansion drafts are always a difficult process, but it’s been a priority of ours to find a mutually beneficial situation for the player and the club. Emily expressed her desire for a change and together we felt that Bay FC was the right fit, which in turn helped us earn protection.”
In 2014, Emily Menges, 31, was drafted in the third round with the 25th overall pick out of Georgetown University. She spent her first 10 seasons with the club. During her tenure, Menges helped Thorns FC win two NWSL Championships (2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), the NWSL Challenge Cup (2021) and the WICC (2021). Among players in club history, she ranks second all-time in regular-season games played (159), games started (156) and minutes played (13,850). Individually, Menges earned NWSL Best XI honors in 2016 and NWSL Second XI accolades in 2017 and 2018.
The NWSL Expansion Draft will take place on December 15 with the two expansion teams, Bay FC and Utah Royals FC, selecting players from teams’ respective rosters. Thorns FC are now protected/exempt from Bay FC.
For more information, please see the club statement.
In the second trade of the day, Portland Thorns received expansion draft protection from Utah Royals FC in exchange for forward Hannah Betfort, the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft and $10,000 in allocation money. This grants the club full protection in the 2023 NWSL expansion draft.
“We would like to thank Hannah for her years of contribution to the Thorns over the last three seasons. On and off the field, she was a joy to have as part of our locker room and beloved by our fans,” shared Thorns FC General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc. “Hannah has a bright future ahead, and we came to an agreement that this is a great opportunity for her growth as a player and person. We wish her the absolute best in her future.”
Betfort, 24, was selected by Portland as the 37th overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft out of Wake Forest University. In three seasons with the club, Betfort tallied five goals and one assist in 29 appearances (10 starts) for Thorns FC. Betfort helped Portland claim the 2022 NWSL Championship, 2021 NWSL Shield and the 2021 WICC in her time with the club.
For more information, please see the club statement.
CB Depth
Portland are now down to Kelli Hubly and Meaghan Nally as their center backs. Becky Sauerbrunn returning was always a priority for the team, but now it is paramount that LeBlanc makes it happen ASAP.
The Thorns will need to find more depth either through the draft or a trade. Rikke Sevecke’s departure is more of a question mark after this move as well.
Izzy D’Aqulila
The organization is putting their trust and faith in Izzy D’Aquila, their first round draft choice from 2022.
She will now be the first forward off the bench and be called upon in 2024 for huge opportunities.
If D’Aquila can continue to grow and develop, the Portland Thorns will be extremely dangerous.
Appreciation Corner
Emily Menges is one of the most underrated players in the league. She was also left off the USWNT picture in her prime even after having some of the best seasons a center back possibly could have. The fact she doesn’t have caps to her name at this point is a bit of a failure from U.S. Soccer. Menges will go down as one of the top draft steals of all time.
In her time in Portland, she was as amazing a player off the pitch by spending countless hours helping Portland, the community, and people.
On the pitch, Emily Menges will go down in team history as one of its best defenders.
Hannah Betfort was finally starting to find her groove in 2023. When she got opportunities during the international break, it was off to the races for her.
In 2023, she shined, especially during the international break with four goals and an assist.
Betfort was an exciting player, and also one of the funniest Portland Thorns, ever.
Now she is going to have plenty of opportunity with the Utah Royals to play and continue to blossom.
What is your favorite memory of #5 + #33?
I’ll start.
In my first ever question to her, I asked about overcoming adversity and to see it come to a wonderful moment with a 2-0 win at Lumen Field against OL Reign.
This might be one of the best goals you’ll ever see and it belongs to THE Hannah Betfort.
Thank You
Emily Menges & Hannah Betfort!
Once a Thorn, always a Thorn!
Hina re-signed thru 26. Finally a smart move
Hate to see Betfort go, loved her intensity and drive and personality. On top of that she was one of the few (only?) Thorns with the height and physicality to be a threat in the air.