Britt Eckerstrom News Today

Newly drafted Thorns goalkeeper Lauren Kozal on making it to the U-23 WYNT camp for two big matches, sightseeing in France, and being coached by Nadine Angerer.

The Shield-winning Thorns close out the NWSL regular season against the North Carolina Courage.

There aren’t many better ways to honor sports legends than by retiring their numbers. While Penn State Athletics isn’t necessarily in the business of doing so, it never hurts to share some suggestions. The only number Penn State has retired in recent memory is John Cappelletti’s No. 22. The football legend was a stud at running back for the Nittany Lions and remains to be the program’s While Cappelletti is clearly a legend in his own right, Penn State certainly has produced several ot...

As Portland Thorns open preseason camp, ‘the sky’s the limit’ Updated Feb 02, 2021; Posted Feb 02, 2021 Fans react during the NWSL Championship Game at Providence Park in 2018. “Just to be in the stadium, breathing fresh air, seeing people on the training pitch, it’s just who we are,” Thorns coach Mark Parsons said Tuesday as the team opened preseason camp. Mark Graves/StaffMark Graves Facebook Share With the Portland Thorns back on the field for preseason camp Tuesday, coach Mark...

Fleshed-out roster means exciting possibilities for Thorns FC Share this story Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images Yesterday was a big day — and not because of what any groundhog had to say about the current state of winter. No, it was a big day because it was the first time that Portland Thorns FC hit the field for preseason training. The excitement surrounding the team seems to be high as ever and for good reason. The Thorns fleshed out their roster pretty well this offseason. They added Fin...

What to expect when you’re expecting to watch some soccer this year By Margaret Seiler 2/2/2021 at 5:40pm Rocky Rodríguez and Simone Charley, seen here in a September 2020 game against the Seattle-area OL Reign, are among the players returning to the Thorns this year. After Los Angeles and Sacramento join the league in 2022, these won’t be the only two teams on the West Coast anymore. National Women’s Soccer League players reported this week for preseason training. In Portland...

Eckerstrom played in Portland for four seasons.

Eckerstrom, 27, appeared in 26 matches (all starts) across all competitions for Portland.

The New York native made the most of her first and only year in Happy Valley, scoring 11 goals and tallying 10 assists in 25 appearances, leading Penn State to a Sweet Sixteen run at the 2019 NCAA Tournament. “I am so honored to have been drafted tonight by the Portland Thorns. Though I never could’ve drawn up these exact circumstances, tonight fulfilled my lifelong dream of pursuing a professional soccer career,” Coffey said. “I am so thankful for this incredible opportunity. With that...

The recent trades of Emily Ogle and Gabby Seiler got a lot of people talking about Portland Thorns FC’s roster makeup and how the team might line up going into 2021. We are only a couple months out from getting a better idea of how the roster will look, with players reporting to their clubs on Feb. 1. That being said, I get the feeling that the Thorns’ roster is a long way from being solidified. Portland currently holds the 7th, 12th, 22nd, 32nd, and 37th picks in the 2021 NWSL Draft. There...