Meghan Klingenberg suspended one game, Thorns make trade

By: |
Embed from Getty Images

PORTLAND, OREGON – Meghan Klingenberg has been suspended one game for the Portland Thorns FC.

The NWSL Disciplinary Committee ruled that Klingenberg’s late tackle on Seattle Reign FC midfielder Allie Long was dangerous. After the ball was out of play, Klingenberg proceeded to kick Long’s knee.

Meghan Klingenberg suspended one game, Thorns make a trade

The NWSL released a statement on the ruling.

“The NWSL Disciplinary Committee announced today that it has suspended Portland Thorns FC defender Meghan Klingenberg for one game and fined her an undisclosed amount for violent conduct that was determined to be a major game misconduct in an incident involving Seattle Reign FC midfielder Allie Long in the 13th minute of Portland’s match against Seattle on June 30.”

After the ruling was handed out, Klingenberg tweeted out an apology. In her tweet, Klingenberg noted that she personally apologized to Long.

“I regret what happened at our game last weekend against the Reign,” Klingenberg wrote. “That’s not the type of player or person I am. I’ve personally apologized to Allie Long. I am disappointed in myself because I have let my team down. I will be better. Thanks.”

Long and Klingenberg were teammates last season. Long was a member of the Portland Thorns from 2013-17. She joined the Reign during the recent off-season. She made 102 appearances for Portland.

While Long has not commented on the situation, her husband, Jose Batista, has sounded off on Twitter. After tweeting a video of the incident, Batista wrote, “That’s a straight RED!!!! @NWSL not one but 2 refs missed that? That’s dirty and disgusting.”

Long re-tweeted the post but did not write a caption.

Thorns, Spirit strike a trade

To steer away from the suspension controversy, Portland made news in another way. The club announced in late June that a draft picks trade between the Thorns and Washington Spirit was completed.

Washington now has Portland’s first-round pick in the 2019 NWSL CollegeDraft. Meanwhile, Portland claimed another international roster spot.

Current internationals on Portland’s squad include Andressinha of Brazil, Ana-Maria Crnogorčević of Switzerland and Ellie Carpenter, Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord of Australia.

The international roster spot could bring back Dagný Brynjarsdóttir. The midfielder took the 2018 season off due to pregnancy and the birth of her first son.

Portland also noted that forward/striker Meg Morris is out for the rest of the season with a left hip injury. She has been placed on the disabled list.

Washington makes a quiet roster drop

The Yanara Aedo mystery has been solved.

After receiving no playing time during the 2017 or 2018 season, Jim Gabarra and the Washington Spirit have released the Chilean striker. Aedo helped Chile qualify for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Chile will compete in France in 2019.

There is no indication to any other team picking up Aedo. However, with the Chilean off the roster, Washington swooped in to add another Huster.

Tori Huster’s younger sister, Maddie, was signed on June 29. The Washington Spirit kept the moves under wraps, hardly mentioning it on social media.

There is no trace of Aedo’s departure on the Spirit’s website or social media pages. However, the NWSL broke the news.

Embed from Getty Images


Colorado Rapids Poor Starts: How midfield issues and mistakes are costing them
North Carolina puts Chicago Red Stars on blast with 4-1 victory