After a delay due to an issue encountered during testing, EA Sports added all 12 NWSL teams — including the Portland Thorns — to its globally popular “FIFA 23″ video game on Wednesday.
The Thorns are among the highest-rated NWSL teams in the game, led by reigning league MVP Sophia Smith with an 87 overall rating. Portland plays in a realistic rendering of Providence Park with slight changes to the crowd and stadium environment compared to playing with the Timbers.
Portland’s thoroughly discussed new jerseys do not appear in the game yet. And the season-ending knee injury sustained by forward Janine Beckie will apply in a later update. Rookies Reyna Reyes, Lauren Kozal and Izzy D’Aquila haven’t been added to the game yet, either.
Fans can play with the Thorns and the rest of the NWSL in Kick Off, Tournament Mode, Head to Head season, Co-op Seasons, and Online Friendlies. FIFA 23 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Full list of Portland Thorns FIFA 23 ratings (rookies not included):
| Name | Position | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| Sophia Smith | ST | 87 |
| Becky Sauerbrunn | CB | 86 |
| Christine Sinclair | CAM | 84 |
| Crystal Dunn | CAM | 84 |
| Bella Bixby | GK | 84 |
| Raquel “Rocky” Rodríguez | CM | 83 |
| Meghan Klingenberg | LB | 83 |
| Hina Sugita | CM | 82 |
| Morgan Weaver | LM | 80 |
| Janine Beckie | LM | 79 |
| Natalia Kuikka | RB | 79 |
| Sam Coffey | CDM | 79 |
| Kelli Hubly | CB | 78 |
| Emily Menges | CB | 76 |
| Meaghan Nally | RB | 75 |
| Shelby Hogan | GK | 75 |
| Olivia Moultrie | CM | 74 |
| Tegan McGrady | LB | 74 |
| Michele Vasconcelos | CAM | 73 |
| Taylor Porter | CDM | 72 |
| Hannah Betfort | ST | 71 |
| Natalie Beckman | RB | 71 |
| Gabby Provenzano | CB | 71 |
Portland kicks off its 2023 NWSL season this weekend against the Orlando Pride. The match is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Providence Park, with live broadcasts on Fox 12 Plus and Paramount+.
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke
