Portland Thorns news roundup: Alaska Airlines partners with Portland Thorns & WNBA, Kaitlyn Torpey Trade, GK Morgan Messner signs, and current roster

Need to catch up on all the Portland Thorns news? We've got you covered.

All Credit: KGW

The Alaska Airlines Sponsorship is back (sort of)!

Alaska Airlines will be the official airline of the Portland Thorns & Portland WNBA team. The airline builds on their 13 years of partnerships in the NWSL and 15 years of partnerships in the WNBA.

"Between Portland's new WNBA team and the impressive performance of the Portland Thorns, it's a momentous time for women's sports in Portland," said Eric Edge, managing director of marketing and advertising at Alaska Airlines. "We’ve been Portland’s leading airline for more than four decades and partnering with these two teams lets us share our excitement with the Portland community, where over 2600 of our employees live and work."

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Alaska Airlines, a true supporter of both the Thorns and the Portland community,” said Mike Whitehead, Managing Director of Raj Sports, ownership group of Portland Thorns and Portland WNBA franchise. “Their commitment to elevating opportunities for women has always been clear, and it’s great to see that extend to our new WNBA team. This partnership strengthens our ties to the city and ensures we’re supporting each other in meaningful ways in the pursuit of making Portland the epicenter of women’s sports.”

In true Alaska Airlines fashion, they penned a lovely letter to the city, community, and teams.

A Love Letter to Portland

At Alaska Airlines, our relationship with Portland has always been more than ensuring its residents can get where they need to go. It’s a deep connection, built over decades of shared experiences. So, we wanted to express our excitement for this momentous partnership through something special.

As we continue our story with the Portland Thorns and the new WNBA team, we want to take a moment to share our love for this incredible city. Here’s a special tribute, written directly from the heart of Alaska Airlines:

Dear Portland,

It has been half a century since we first met, but each time we touch down at PDX, we are still so full of love for you. For your endless creativity, for those lush trees that pin our travels with green, for your spirit and your grit.

Portland, our love can be a quiet one, but our gaze is inevitably drawn to you, like a salmon swimming home, or a tourist seeking ice cream on a summer day. We have watched you make waves in women’s sports that were impossible to ignore. We witnessed your pride in the Portland Thorns, as their three championships showcased dedication and skill. We have seen how the Thorns are a testament to your love of sports and your commitment to your people.

Now, as you prepare to welcome a new WNBA team in 2026, our anticipation grows. Moda Center is an old friend, and we are excited for more as the WNBA moves in. Moreover, you have long celebrated women's voices, creativity, and power, and it is a beautiful thing to see it rise from street to pitch to court.

The years seem to have flown by, but how lovely it is to pen chapters in our story together. Every day, we bring more than a hundred flights to your gates. With over 2,600 Alaska and Horizon employees at PDX, your community is our community. Our technicians play in your pickleball leagues, our pilots drink your coffee, our flight attendants dance in your parades. We are growing your flight options by more than 20% this year and we can’t wait to take on the world with the Portland Thorns and the WNBA team as your official airline.

You have always had our back, and we will continue to have yours. Stitched together by shared purpose, we are proud that the Thorns and Alaska will be woven together both on your kit and in your community.

So, here's to you, Portland. We love you for all that you are and all that you inspire. From the bottom of our hearts, we are here for you.

Love,

Alaska Airlines

The Thorns will have Alaska Airlines as their back of their kit sponsors after they renewed their deal.

So the big question: do you still get priority boarding if you wear team gear?

Yes! Anyone wearing Thorns gear will enjoy priority boarding on all Alaska Airlines flights departing Portland through 2025.

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Third Goalkeeper Spot Secured

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The Portland Thorns have signed free-agent goalkeeper Morgan Messner to a one-year contract.

Messner spent her professional rookie season with the San Diego Wave where she made appearances in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup against Club América and Angel City FC.

Yes, she is a former Penn State Nittany Lion and was teammates with both Sam Coffey and Payton Linnehan.

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Kaitlyn Torpey Trade is Official

The team has removed Kaitlyn Torpey’s name off the roster on the press release, but finalized the trade today. The Australian international is listed as a defender. The Matilda will now join a full-back room with Reyna Reyes and Mallie McKenzie.

“We are happy to add Kaitlyn to our group for the 2025 season. Her recent International and NWSL experience strengthens our backline." - President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Jeff Agoos

“We want to thank Kaitlyn for her time here with the Wave,” said Sporting Director and General Manager Camille Ashton. “We are grateful for her contributions to the club, on and off the pitch, and we wish her the best moving forward.”

If the Portland Thorns do not make additions before the season opener, expect them to have a busy summer window. Can the team afford to wait until then? Most likely not…

Current Roster (26 total - 23 with SEI): Final Roster TBA
TBD: Sophia Wilson - announcement/update expected very soon

Goalkeepers (3): Mackenzie Arnold (INTL), Bella Bixby, Morgan Messner

Defenders (9): Daiane, Hiatt, McKenzie, Obaze, Perry, Reyes, Torpey, Muller (SEI), Payne (SEI)

Midfielders (7): Boeckmann, Coffey, Fleming, Hirst, Moultrie, Sugita, Wade-Katoa

Forwards (7): Castellanos, Linnehan, Spaanstra, Tordin, Turner, Wilson, Weaver (SEI)