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Projected 2013 Portland Thorns Lineup (Without Tobin Heath, Questionable Starters in Parentheses)

Projected 2013 Portland Thorns Lineup (With Tobin Heath, Questionable Starters in Parentheses)

2013 Portland Preseason Wallchart v1.0 (Players in Red Currently Unlikely to Play in 2013)

Free Agency

Becky Edwards – M

Florida State alum picked up a pair of winner’s medals in WPS with FC Gold Pride in 2010 and WNY Flash in 2011. Took an obvious backseat in the headline department to her more flashy attacking teammates at both spots but was really the glue that helped form a cohesive and deadly unit both going forward and in defense in WPS. Edwards spent last season in Sweden with mid-table Kristianstads before signing back domestically with the Thorns. Another talented central midfielder who has found her path to the full USWNT blocked despite success at U20 and U23 levels. Likely to be the midfield fulcrum, sitting ahead of the backline and shielding what could be a tenuous defense if Dalmy and Ellertson don’t play. Another on this club who could conceivably work their way into USWNT contention with a strong season.

Allie Long – M

Big midfielder can play a variety of roles in the middle of the park but figures to be more of an offensive figure this season with the presence of Becky Edwards as the likely defensive midfielder in front of the backline. Could be a playmaker in attack playing behind Christine Sinclair and Alex Morgan, especially until Tobin Heath returns later in the season. With Heath absent, Long could also be forced out wide on the left if the club plays with four in the midfield, with Angie Kerr taking up the playmaker mantle. With midfield depth clearly a liability, especially early in the season, the Thorns need a solid and consistent season from Long if they’re to challenge for honors this year.

Nikki Marshall – D/F

A standout at youth international level, including a U20 World Cup winner’s medal in 2008, while also having been a mainstay at U23 level. Marshall has been oddly overlooked by the full international setup for the USWNT despite having been a tremendous asset in her (numerous) stops as a professional thus far. After an adventurous 2011 season that began in Boca Raton with magicJack and ended in Boston, Marshall was steady and effective as ever with WNY Flash in WPSL Elite while picking up the MVP award of the Final victory over Chicago. Though she’s proven to be a competent attacker at this level, Marshall will most likely be playing the role of rock at the heart of the defense for the club, though her ability to initiate attacks with the ball at her feet should be useful as well. When the club is missing Alex Morgan and/or Christine Sinclair on international duty though, Marshall could well step back into a role up front.

Nikki Washington – M/F

Good things do in fact come to those who wait, and Washington had to wait a while for her professional debut after the dissolution of both the Sol and the Athletica in WPS in 2010. It’d take two more stops in Chicago and Boston for Washington to really show what she was capable of, after the North Carolina alum shined for half a season with the erstwhile magicJack franchise after a trade from the Breakers. A direct, penetrating runner down the flanks, Washington should add some much needed attacking verve and width to the Thorns attack this season. With the club short on attacking depth and with the threat of Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair’s occasional absences due to international duty, Washington may be needed for goals as much as assists this season as well.

Supplemental Draft

8. Tina Ellertson – D

The $64,000 Question of the moment for Portland is whether they can convince Ellertson to suit up for them this year. From their reasoning (and the position of the pick), Portland seems to be under the impression that Ellertson will play for them this season. The problem is, Ellertson had previously stated she’d be sitting this season out for family reasons. Whether Ellertson changes her mind could well be the difference between a title and disappointment for the Thorns, such is Ellertson’s talent and such is the club’s defensive state right now. Badly in need of some size and quality in the middle, Portland would be greatly improved if Ellertson, a top-notch shutdown center-back, suits up for them this year. If she doesn’t, this pick is an embarrassing misstep by the Thorns, one that could prove very costly down the line.

16. Angie Kerr – M

Once promising midfielder is probably running out of chances at this level after some disappointing campaigns in WPS. Underperformed with Atlanta after being traded from Saint Louis before the 2010 season and failed to reignite with Sky Blue FC in 2011. The potential is certainly there after some of her displays with Athletica in the first WPS season and with her college displays further back. It’s not like the club is flush with depth in midfield either, so Kerr should get a chance for some major minutes, especially if Cindy Parlow Cone opts for three in central midfield. But if Kerr can’t put it together for a career revival here and now, one wonders if it will ever be in the cards for the former Portland Pilot.

24. Michele Weissenhofer – F

Known mostly for her devastating flip throws, Weissenhofer also proved to be decent in front of goal last season for Chicago in WPSL Elite, netting a handful of tallies for the Red Stars. Little came of her first stint with the club in WPS, and she hopped over the Atlantic to Essen in Germany to kickstart career. She’d prove capable back with the Red Stars for the last few years and could be a much needed option on the left side of the attack early this year with Tobin Heath abroad. But with employment in the Chicago area, including coaching at the powerful Eclipse Soccer Club, it’s not a guarantee she’ll sign with the Thorns, which seems to be something of a trend regarding their supplemental draft picks.

32. Marian Dalmy – D

Dalmy slipping so late into the supplemental draft’s final rounds should be an immediate red flag as to her potential status this year. Dalmy didn’t play last season, a year after she was another victim of the magicJack fiasco in Boca Raton. Before then, Dalmy was one of the WPS’ top right-backs as she faithfully patrolled the flanks for Chicago while also racking up a few handfuls of caps with the USWNT. The Thorns are desperate for defenders, and quality ones at that, so convincing Dalmy to play would be huge for their hopes this year. At current though, you wouldn’t bet on the Santa Clara alum suiting up in NWSL this year.

40. Jessica Shufelt – F

Portland certainly needs all the forward depth they can get, but Shufelt’s still an odd selection, even just as a flyer. The UConn alum saw a fair amount of time on the pitch for the W-League champion Ottawa Fury last season, but she didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard, netting just one goal all season. Her record at college isn’t exactly promising either, with a high of six goals in her four years in Storrs. Portland is seriously lacking in forward depth after their Big Two though, so Shufelt does have a chance to end up sticking if she impresses in camp.

Discovery Players

Jazmyne Avant – D

The Thorns most definitely needed some help in defense going into preseason camp, especially out on the flanks, where the club looks threadbare at the moment, particularly if neither Marian Dalmy nor Tina Ellertson play this year. Avant’s a prized asset for her versatility, as she can play on either flank, though she has much more experience on the right flank. The more pressing need might be out left though, so she could be stationed on that side this season. Given the early absence of Tobin Heath this year, Avant could slide in on the left of midfield if Cindy Parlow Cone opts for four in the middle of the park. The role would certainly suit the Florida alum, as she’s generally been much better going forward in her career than as a lockdown defender.

What They Still Need

Skillful scouting and a whole lot of luck with injuries and form. The Thorns probably have one of the league’s strongest squads from 1-11, but one of the weakest from 12-20. With all the pieces together and healthy and on form, they could be favorites against anyone in the league. But they’re also walking a very thin line with depth, as they took numerous risks in the rookie and supplemental drafts which could end up being very costly in the end. Losing Tobin Heath to France for the early part of the season could be a serious blow, with the squad struggling for width down the flanks in midfield and creativity in that same zone. Depth in that zone looks paltry to say the least, and the group looks pretty functional with the exception of the incisive Nikki Washington.

There are worries defensively as well if Marian Dalmy and Tina Ellertson don’t play as currently expected. If Portland can nab them both, they should have one of the league’s best defenses. If not…it could be problematic. Nikki Marshall and Rachel Buehler should be solid enough, but after them, it’s a lot of unproven talent vying for playing time. It’s not a big need, but the club could also use another goalkeeper to push Karina LeBlanc, as Roxanne Barker has talent but remains a project in goal for the immediate future.

Up front, things will be fine when Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair are on the pitch. There’s not much behind them though, and the club could do well in adding another experienced scorer or two. Even if the club can pick up some gems as discovery players and undrafted free agents, they’re still playing a dangerous game. A few injuries or out-of-form stars could spell big trouble in Portland this season.

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