Thorns Offseason Roster Update
The Thorns have finally released their offseason roster update
The Portland Thorns announced their end-of-season contract updates, and many players on the roster look set to hit free agency, and one is set to officially depart.
The Thorns have waived forward Izzy D’Aquila, allowing her to pursue other opportunities. D’Aquila joined the Thorns ahead of the 2023 season as the 12th overall pick in the NWSL Draft.
Marissa Sheva, Lauren Kozal, Kat Asman, Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, Gabby Provenzano, and Becky Sauerbrunn are all out of contract and therefore Free Agents under the CBA. This means they are free to sign with any team in the league — including Portland.
Additionally, the Thorns recently signed midfielder Sophie Hirst and defender Mallie McKenzie to contract extensions.
Hirst was signed to a two-year deal and McKenzie was signed to a one-year contract.
The Club also recently signed free agent Sam Hiatt from Gotham FC, signing the center back through the 2026 season with an option for 2027. Hiatt’s contract will begin on January 1, 2025.
Portland Thorns Current Roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Mackenzie Arnold (INTL), Bella Bixby, Shelby Hogan
Defenders (6): Sam Hiatt, Mallie McKenzie, Marie Müller (INTL), Nicole Payne, Isabella Obaze (INTL), Reyna Reyes
Midfielders (6): Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming (INTL), Sophie Hirst, Olivia Moultrie, Hina Sugita (INTL), Olivia Wade-Katoa
Forwards (5): Payton Linnehan, Sophia Smith, Alexa Spaanstra, Reilyn Turner, Morgan Weaver
It's time for a Thorns pep talk!
Nothing that has happened so far in the offseason screams "mess" to me. In fact, I think it's mostly encouraging! The owners seem to be willing to clean house on and off the field, the majority of our starters will be back, and we've got at least one good signing in our highest positional need (In fact, probably the best offseason signing in the league so far). Dropping Izzy, who many teams would be happy to have, demonstrates we're not desperate, and likely have some A-tier options on the table.
I agree with the more pessimistic among us that it would be *nice* to know who the new GM is. It would be *nice* to hear that Gale is officially out. It would be *nice* to hear training facility news. But remember, they're trying to build a team and run a business, not satisfy 7 anonymous forum posters. There are all sorts of reasons these announcements haven't been made, and it doesn't really worry me until I'm shown a concrete reason to be worried.
Furthermore, the whole Reddit whistleblower scandal that happened toward the end of last season has proven to be mostly untrue: Soph did play Thorns minutes again, Gale was not quietly ghosted (even if he should have been, the rumor was wrong), KK was moved to a more appropriate position, and Linnehan, well, I guess we don't know if she's a locker room distraction, but she scored some good goals and the players looked happy for her.
So yeah, I'm actually feeling pretty good! (Please, universe, don't let this be an invitation to prove me wrong.)
Nothing else to talk about, so let's talk kits!
Personally, I'd like to see a return to brand identity - PORTLAND THORNS FC - and if not exactly more traditional then at least there's no question who you're looking at as soon as you turn on the TV.
I don't mind the idea of having a novel third kit each year -- and with the various shades of roses there are LOTS of ways you can go with that -- but please make the home and away kits more consistent in color scheme and unmistakably PORTLAND THORNS FC.