Portland Thorns 2024 NWSL Draft Recap & Analysis
Who are the newest Portland Thorns? Karina LeBlanc and Mike Norris added some talent to their roster.
In a draft that was widely recognized as being less “top heavy” as past years, but still a solid class, there was a lot of work to be done for the Portland Thorns, especially Karina LeBlanc and Mike Norris.
Heading into the 2024 NWSL Draft, they needed to find reinforcements in the backline and in attack.
With their first round draft choice, they selected Payton Linnehan, winger, from Penn St. She was widely seen as one of the top wingers in the draft. In her final season, she started 19 games, tallying 10 goals and 4 assists.
Payton Linnehan is one of the best dribblers in the entire draft and adds a needed element to their attack. Her ability to finish with either foot was on display all throughout her collegiate career. She has also demonstrated the “clutch” gene with the majority of her goals being equalizers or game winners.
She became the third Nittany Lion on Portland, following Sam Coffey and Rocky Rodriguez (with a potential fourth to come later in the draft…).
Value: A-
Grade: A-
Payton Linnehan’s tape is very impressive. There is no one in this class that can do everything that she can. Janine Beckie will be worked back properly and eased into action, leaving lots of minutes available to Linnehan who will thrive in Norris’ system. She’ll be allowed to roam, dribble, shoot, and create for others. Expect her to start a few games during the regular season, and during the Olympics to be a featured player alongside Weaver and D’Aquila.
A fun fact: She was the top scorer in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
In the second round with the 23rd overall pick, Portland selected midfielder, Olivia Wade-Katoa from BYU.
Value: B
Grade: C
Portland has a log jam in midfield with the projected starters including Hina Sugita, Olivia Moultrie, Rocky Rodriguez, and Sam Coffey. Christine Sinclair will also start her fair share of games, but also is likely become a super-sub. Taylor Porter will also be playing minutes as well.
It’s hard to find room for Wade-Katoa to see minutes, but she’ll get them because she has few glaring weaknesses in her game. The midfielder is a complete player who can do a bit of everything. She is one of the top midfield prospects in regards to xG + xA, dribbles won, shots on target %, forward passing %, interceptions and more.
As a senior, she had 12 goals and 8 assists for the Cougars. Her 20 goal contributions were crucial, leading BYU to a NCAA Final 4 appearance.
The highlight of her season came in the quarterfinals against UNC, scoring the game winner to complete the 0-3 comeback!
Fun Fact: If soccer didn’t exist, she’d play tennis!
Mike Norris has been one of the more analytical and statistical coaches in the league, so this selection makes a ton of sense.
Two picks later, LeBlanc and Norris were back on the clock.
For the first time in school history, Utah State had a player selected in the NWSL Draft, defender Kelsey Kaufusi, selected with Portland’s second second round pick.
Value: B
Grade: B+
As a senior, she was named the Mountain West Defender of the Year.
Although there were other CBs talked about more, the Utah State defender was as solid as they come. She measured well in aerial battles and clearances, but passing percentage left a bit to be desired.
Her tape shows off her aerial and IQ as a defender. She reads the game at a high level and positioning was very spot on.
The CB room now has Isabella Obaze, Kelli Hubly, Meaghan Nally, and Kaufusi.
*It is hoped that Becky Sauerbrunn will return for the 2024 season.
With their penultimate pick, the Thorns selected goalkeeper Kate Asman — also out of Penn State.
Value: C- (Updated Grade: B)
Grade: D (Updated Grade: C)
Kat Asman is one of the best keepers in the NCAA, there is no doubt about that. Her understanding of the game, positioning, and shop stopping ability is great.
However, you already have Bella Bixby, Shelby Hogan, and last year’s draftee, Lauren Kozal on the roster.
Unless you are planning on letting someone go via trade, loan, or release one, you absolutely cannot make this pick.
To make matters worse, GK coach and legend Nadine Angerer is gone.
Shelby Hogan just started the biggest game of her career. Bella Bixby is one of the best GKs in club history. Lauren Kozal arguably has the most upside for the GKs. Asman deserves the chance to shine, but where will the minutes come from? There is no more Challenge Cup or reserve games she can play.
Make no mistake, the Nittany Lions’ goalkeeper is a fantastic player and worthy of being drafted, just seems like it was the wrong team where playing time will be hard to come by.
She is the fourth Nittany Lion on the Portland Thorns.
With their final pick at #53rd overall, they selected Portland native (Jesuit HS) and Stanford midfielder, Katie Duong!
Value - A
Grade - C
Can you imagine being from Portland and then get selected by the Thorns? She is going to live out that dream.
She competed for US U20 Women's National Team, scoring a goal and adding three assists at 2020 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying in the Dominican Republic.
Before heading to Stanford, Duong played two seasons and started 27 games for Minnesota before transferring to the 2021 season. She was Big Ten All Freshmen in 2019 and All Big Ten second team in 2020.
Katie Duong was the 2018 Oregon Sports Award Prep Soccer Player of the Year.
Her technical ability is noticeable and pops off on tape. She sees the game at a very high level, good decision maker, and a strong dribbler. What will set her apart will be the creativity and playmaking.
The logjam at midfield will make it difficult for her and Wade-Katoa playing time.
NEW Owner’s Spotlight
Lisa Bhathal Merage on being the new owner of the Portland Thorns, next steps, and more:
"We have the best fans in the entire women's soccer world, globally, we believe."
She’ll be heading down to Portland in the next few weeks.
Overall Draft Grade: C (Updated Grade: B-)
Unless they have other plans for FB, going into the season with one starter at that position, Reyna Reyes, is not ideal. Adding two midfielders to a stacked midfield group just didn’t make too much sense, unless they have a plan to play them in another position.
The tape on Payton Linnehan is excellent and has a chance to be special. She’ll have the opportunity to play right away and make a big impact. The remaining draftees will provide depth, but struggle to receive minutes consistently with veterans ahead of them on the roster.
There will be more moves from Karina LeBlanc ahead of preseason, but this draft leaves the roster in a very tough predicament, with much still to be determined.
Bella Bixby is pregnant! Well this explains everything. Well, some things. Well, one thing.
Wait- maybe this is actually the beginning of one of those sports comedy movies where the new owners want the team to fail so badly that it triggers some ridiculous clause in some contract allowing the team to relocate to someplace more profitable.
If so, then LeBlanc, Norris et al make more sense.
In this version, i would imagine Sarah Lowden's the mole, and already been promised a beautiful facility (developed on a reclaimed EPA Superfund site) and the head coaching job for the new San Bernardino Thorns...