Official: Portland Thorns Sign Danish International Defender Rikke Sevecke
Danish international signs for remainder of 2023 with option for 2024 campaign
The Portland Thorns have made another big move adding Denmark International defender Rikke Sevecke for the remainder of the 2023 season with an option for 2024. She’ll join the team pending her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Rikke Sevecke Name Pronunciation
Karina LeBlanc and Mike Norris weigh in on Rikke Sevecke signing
“We are thrilled Rikke has made the decision to come to Portland. Her excitement about being a Thorn is a testament to what the club means globally to players, while it reflects all our accomplishments, and the opportunities that lay ahead,” said Thorns FC general manager Karina LeBlanc. “Rikke is a player who provides us with versatility in our backline as well as depth and diversity in many areas of an already talented roster.”
“We are excited to add Rikke to our roster. With a wealth of experience at the club and international level, we feel like she has a lot to offer us now and, in the future,” said head coach Mike Norris. “Rikke has consistently shown her abilities on the ball in the WSL over the past three seasons and she will bring a physical presence and dominance to our options in the backline.”
Club and Country
Sevecke most recently played for Everton in the Women’s Super League (WSL), appearing in 52 matches (45 starts) from 2020-2023.
Her professional career began at the age of 16 with BSF in Denmark before signing with Brønby IF where she played from 2015-19.
Rikke Sevecke also briefly attended the University of Northwestern Ohio in 2017.
Sevecke has earned 53 caps with the Denmark senior national team, recording five goals and four assists. At the 2023 World Cup, Sevecke appeared in all four matches for Denmark, including the team’s round of 16 match against Australia. She has been a part of every youth national team for her country as well.
For more information, please see the team’s press release.
What are your thoughts on the signing?
Like the height (5’11”)
So her last club (Everton) was the “best of the worst” for GA; 36. That’s not BHA (63GA) but it’s twenty more than the legitimate contenders like MC who shipped 15-16.
No idea what role she played there, but hopefully she’s at least decent (international? Should be!) and will provide some value; given Brunn’s age and free agency, Menges’ fragility, and Hubly’s form I’d consider this a worthwhile addition.
Had a little bit of time this evening, so I did a little amateur scouting on Sevecke: I watched the WC game she played at CB and the Everton vs. City match. My main takeaways:
- She’s very much a ball-playing CB. Likes to get her head up and find a pass. Good at breaking lines when pressed.
- She played as the central CB in Everton’s 3-back. Excellent at finding out balls and directing the back line.
- Reads the game very well. Has a Menges-like ability to read where passes are going and intercept.
- Not very physical- Had a lot of trouble with Bunny Shaw’s strength and speed in the City game.
- Not super strong aerially despite her height (tho she did score against City!)
- Def a natural CB. Didn't do much at all at RB for Denmark.
Her FB Ref profile matches the eye-test. Relative to other CBs, she’s clearly strongest in the on-ball areas (passes attempted, completion percentage, progressive passes etc) and weakest in the more physical elements (tackles won, aerials won, blocks). Here is her FB Ref page along with Hubly, Menges, and Becky (It won't let me post the overlapping comparison, but you can do that yourself if so inclined).
https://fbref.com/en/players/2fff97d6/Rikke-Seveckev
https://fbref.com/en/players/bc03c54d/Kelli-Hubly
https://fbref.com/en/players/acbf23b6/Emily-Menges
https://fbref.com/en/players/d2612e86/Becky-Sauerbrunn