With six players away on international duty for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Portland Thorns have signed the first of what is expected to be multiple national team replacement players.
Defender Kayla Morrison signed with the Thorns on Thursday, the club announced. Morrison, 26, most recently played for the Melbourne Victory in Australia, leading the team as its captain all the way to an appearance in the A-League Grand Final. Originally from Corona, California, she attended University of Kansas.
In three seasons with the Victory, Morrison started and played in 31 matches, notching six goals and two assists. She will be eligible for selection for the Thorns following receipt of her International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke