U.S. U-23 WNT to compete in 2019 Thorns Spring Invitational

CHICAGO (Via U.S. Soccer) – For the third year in a row, the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team will take part in the Thorns Spring Invitational running from March 24-30 in Portland, Oregon. The U.S. will take on three NWSL teams during their pre-season preparation with all the games taking place at the University of Portland’s Merlo Field.

This is the fourth year of the pre-season tournament, and this year’s field features the U-23 WNT, the Chicago Red Stars, Portland Thorns FC and Reign FC. The competition will take place over three matchdays, with an early game that has free admission and a later match featuring the Thorns that will be a ticketed event.

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The USA opens up against Reign FC on Sunday, March 24 at 11:30 a.m. PT, while Portland will face Chicago at 5 p.m. PT. The second matchday on Wednesday, March 27, features Chicago vs. Reign FC at 1:30 p.m. PT and the USA taking on Portland at 7:30 p.m. PT. The U.S. finishes against the Red Stars on Saturday, March 30 at 1:30 p.m. PT and Portland wraps things up with rival Reign FC at 7:30 p.m. PT.

At last year’s Thorns Spring Invitational, U-23 WNT head coach B.J. Snow called in a roster of 23 collegiate players and one professional. The USA fell 2-1 to the Houston Dash, drew the Thorns 2-2 and took down the Red Stars 1-0. Stanford forward and 2018 Hermann Trophy winner Catarina Macario scored all four of the USA’s goals in the tournament.

2018 Thorns Spring Invitational Schedule – Merlo Field, University of Portland

Sunday, March 24
Reign FC vs. U.S. U-23 WNT                     11:30 a.m. PT
Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars         5 p.m. PT

Wednesday, March 27
Chicago Red Stars vs. Reign FC                1:30 p.m. PT
Portland Thorns FC vs. U.S. U-23 WNT    7:30 p.m. PT

Saturday, March 30
U.S. U-23 WNT vs. Chicago Red Stars               1:30 p.m. PT
Portland Thorns FC vs. Reign FC              7:30 p.m. PT