December 12, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have acquired $75,000 in allocation money and expansion draft protection from Bay FC in exchange for defender Emily Menges, the club announced today.
“I want to thank Emily for everything she’s done for our club and community over her 10 seasons in Portland. She helped shape the Thorns into the team we are now, and we wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors,” shared Thorns FC General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc. “Expansion drafts are always a difficult process, but it’s been a priority of ours to find a mutually beneficial situation for the player and the club. Emily expressed her desire for a change and together we felt that Bay FC was the right fit, which in turn helped us earn protection.”
Menges, 31, spent 10 seasons with the club after being drafted by Portland in the third round of the 2014 NWSL Draft. During her tenure, Menges helped Thorns FC win two NWSL Championships (2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), the NWSL Challenge Cup (2021) and the WICC (2021). Among players in club history, she ranks second all-time in regular-season games played (159), games started (156) and minutes played (13,850). Individually, Menges earned NWSL Best XI honors in 2016 and NWSL Second XI accolades in 2017 and 2018.
The NWSL Expansion Draft will take place on December 15 with the two expansion teams, Bay FC and Utah Royals FC, selecting players from teams’ respective rosters. Thorns FC are now exempt from any players being selected in the draft by Bay FC.
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