Portland Timbers & Thorns News Roundup | Sinead Farrelly, Evander, Alexa Spaanstra, Tyler Clegg, Podcast with Phil Neville
Sinead Farrelly was honored by Gotham FC after announcing her retirement in June. Interest from other clubs in regards to Evander heats up. Spaanstra tallies her first assist + Tyler Clegg's brace!
Honoring Sinead Farrelly
On June 7, 2024, Sinead Farrelly retired from football, and on Sunday NJ/NY Gotham FC honored her. The retirement celebration was delayed due to the Olympic break. Farrelly decided to retire after being placed on the season-ending injury list due to post-concussive syndrome. She was advised by a neurologist to stop playing due to the cumulative head injuries that she has sustained throughout her career.
“Gotham honored Sinead Farrelly, who retired in June. Sinead’s impact on the game will never be forgotten as she & Mana Shim bravely stood up against abuse in the NWSL. Thank you Sinead for inspiring change & making the game safer for everyone.” - The Women’s Game MIB on Twitter/X
While her time at Portland was marred by what she and other players experienced, we are glad she made her way back to the pitch after first retiring in 2016.
“I promise this ending is a gift, a blessing, and just the beginning of something new. I am so grateful that this insane chapter even existed at all, let alone end in such a way where I am feeling so fulfilled and at peace. This truly has been so special.” Farrelly said.
For everything her and Mana Shim had to endure during their time with Portland, it is a reminder that their strength, courage, and bravery will never be forgotten. They deserve every honor and appreciation.
This is not even remotely close to enough, but thank you Sinead Farrelly! Everyone is grateful for everything you’ve done for the game and will continue to do.
Evander Interest Picks Up
According to Tom Bogert, the Portland Timbers rejected an offer from a Qatari club for star Evander. The bid was reportedly around $9m. The Portland Timbers have also engaged in contract extension talks with the 2024 all-star, but no deal seems to be close.
To make matters more interesting, he missed training on Saturday. And hours later, left a interesting message on Twitter.
What does it all mean? We’ll hopefully find out soon enough.
Alexa Spaanstra’s First Assist as a Thorn
After being traded to Portland Thorns, Alexa Spaanstra has grown into her role as a winger. Soph Smith has spoken glowingly about her technical ability and it has shined through time and time again.
In the 49th minute of Portland’s loss to Washington, she delivered a well-struck low driven cross into the box. It would find Hina Sugita for the 1-0 lead. This is the type play she’ll continue to bring with more time to gel with her teammates. Spaanstra, Linnehan (if she’ll ever get minutes again), and Weaver (when she returns), will be a dangerous trio of wingers.
“I was trying to get in behind, threaten the backline as much as I could. There were other opportunities that I missed previously. Just knowing that we were going to be runners in the box, I just tried to get it to a spot that our runners were. Hina made me look really good by curling it back post. She made a great run and even better finish.”
Alexa Spaanstra has settled into the city nicely and has said it has felt like home.
BONUS:
“I think I got a little bit of slander last time when I said people were waving the towels. My apologies, they’re scarves. That’s my bad.”
GOLAZO
Although T2 dropped a tough one against Tacoma Defiance, Tyler Clegg tallied a brace, including one of the best goals you’ll ever see from a center back.
Even down a player, T2, cut it down to one thanks to another long range goal from Clegg. He almost willed the team back for a result.
Felipe Mora’s Suspension
“Pipe” will be back for this weekend’s game against Colorado Rapids as his suspension got reduced from two games to one.
NEXT PODCAST INTERVIEW!
We are happy to announce our next guest on Stumptown Radio will be Timbers head coach Phil Neville! It’ll be out on all platforms later today, with the video version for paid subscribers. Thank you all for the support and hope you enjoy the episode!
Help me understand. Evander has shown his talent level. Yet teams keep offering us less than the fee we paid. How could his value go down? Or did we over pay. For me, pay the man what he wants he is worth every penny.