When it comes to Halloween, A’ja Wilson always aces the assignment.

The 2023 WNBA Finals MVP dressed as all five characters from “Codename: Kids Next Door,” an animated series that ran on Cartoon Network from 2002 to 2006. She pulled off a similarly impressive costume in 2022, when she dressed as all five characters from “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!”

And she was far from the only name from women’s sports to get in on the Halloween action. Here are some of the standout costumes from the holiday.

A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Wilson doesn’t skimp on the details for “Operation: H.A.L.L.O.W.E.E.N.” Just take a look at her Instagram gallery, which shows the costumed Aces star next to each character.

Kerry Washington, actress

The 46-year-old actress, best known for her role as Olivia Pope in “Scandal,” dressed as American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson — or in this case, Sha’Kerry. Richardson won the world title in the 100-meter dash in August.

San Diego Wave

The No. 1 seed in the NWSL playoffs, the Wave are preparing for Sunday’s semifinal against OL Reign. But that didn’t stop them from celebrating Halloween.

Shae Yanez stole the show, dressing up as head coach Casey Stoney, cooler and all. Other costumes included Meggie Dougherty Howard as Wednesday Addams, and Madison Pogarch and Christen Westphal combining for a tribute to painter Bob Ross.

Morgan Weaver, Portland Thorns

The 26-year-old forward showed up for training dressed as Harry Potter — and assistant coach Robert Gale stepped in as Draco Malfoy. No. 2 seed Portland is preparing to host Gotham FC in the NWSL semifinals.

Ghosts of Halloween costumes past

In addition to the new crop of costumes, we brought back some of the best from past years, including Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis, Lynn Williams, Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux and more.

Just three games remain in the NWSL regular season, and the players are continuing to make their case in their campaigns for the end-of-year awards.

Since Just Women’s Sports’ last check-in, no one player has pushed to the front of the pack, setting the stage for a frantic final push. Here are the players to watch in the final weeks of the season.

MVP: Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns

Shortlist: Adriana, Kerolin, Morgan Weaver, Ashley Hatch

While it remains unclear whether or not Smith will make her return from an MCL sprain during the regular season, she is back training with Portland. And her work early on in the season still puts her ahead of everyone else in the MVP race. Not only does she lead the league in goals scored with 11, she’s also second in the league in assists with five. Her goals per 90 sits at 0.88, far ahead of the next best in the league (Kerolin, 0.57). Teams don’t have an answer for the reigning MVP, and Portland has missed her in her absence.

Elsewhere, Smith’s teammate Morgan Weaver has been putting together her own case for MVP in the final weeks of the season. She’s got three goals in three games and is putting up better numbers than anyone else in the league right now.

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Tara McKeown is in the thick of the competition for the Defender of the Year award. (Dennis Schneidler/USA TODAY Sports)

Defender of the Year: Tara McKeown, Washington Spirit

Shortlist: Tatumn Milazzo, Sarah Gorden, Natalia Kuikka, Sam Staab

Fresh off a contract extension, Tara McKeown has had a standout season alongside Sam Staab. The 24-year-old defender ranks first in the league in clearances and sixth in interceptions. But while she’s been a steady presence for the Spirit, Washington hasn’t won in six games, which puts her in a tough spot.

Meanwhile, Tatumn Milazzo has once again been a bright spot for a Chicago Red Stars back line that has struggled but has started to find its groove toward the end of the season. And Sarah Gorden has had a great bounce-back season from an ACL tear for Angel City, who remain in playoff contention.

Goalkeeper of the year: Katie Lund, Racing Louisville

Shortlist: Casey Murphy, Kailen Sheridan, Jane Campbell

Katie Lund leads the league in many goalkeeping categories, and she has been one of the big reasons for Racing Louisville’s turnaround this season. She’s allowed among the fewest goals in the league per 90 (1.00) – with Jane Campbell of the Houston Dash the only goalkeeper to allow fewer goals (0.79).

While Louisville is still searching for its identity, Lund has managed to keep them in the conversation for the playoffs.

Coach of the Year: Becki Tweed, Angel City

Shortlist: Sean Nahas, Juan Carlos Amorós, Mike Norris

Becki Tweed might be the interim head coach for Angel City, but she’s led the team on an astounding turnaround after the team parted ways with Freya Coombe in June. Since then, the team has put together an 11-game unbeaten streak. Not much has changed; Tweed has just made things a little bit clearer and in turn has made Angel City a possible postseason contender.

If Angel City qualifies for the playoffs, naming Tweed as coach of the year is a no-brainer. But Sean Nahas has led Gotham on a tear in his first year as head coach, turning them into one of the best teams in the league. Part of the success is due to the addition of Lynn Williams. But he’s also managed to bring World Cup champion Esther González to the NWSL, which has further boosted the club as it makes a push for the playoffs. If the winner of this award isn’t Tweed, Nahas should take it home.

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Orlando Pride forward Messiah Bright and Gotham FC midfielder Jenna Nighswonger are among the players battling it out for Rookie of the Year. (Cory Knowlton/USA TODAY Sports)

Rookie of the Year: Messiah Bright, Orlando Pride

Shortlist: Alyssa Thompson, Paige Metayer, Jenna Nighswonger

This year’s Rookie of the Year race is less clear-cut, but Messiah Bright has continued to stand out amongst the rookie class. Her six goals lead all rookies, and she’s worked well with Adriana and Marta down in Orlando.

Alyssa Thompson also has been a bright spot for Angel City, putting her in contention for this award. She came out hot in her first NWSL season and has been consistently getting better as the season has progressed.

Morgan Weaver and Debinha moved into a tie for third in the 2023 NWSL Golden Boot race over the weekend.

Weaver’s goal, which helped Portland to a 2-0 win over OL Reign in the Cascadia Cup rivalry, was her seventh of the season. She is tied with North Carolina’s Debinha and Gotham’s Lynn Williams for third in the standings. Thorns star forward Sophia Smith continues to retain the top spot with 11 goals as she continues to nurse a week-to-week MCL sprain.

Also, while it’s unlikely she finds herself in the running for the Golden Boot, recent NWSL addition Esther González got her first two goals in a Gotham FC uniform over the weekend.

Trending upward: Morgan Weaver

Saturday’s goal marked Weaver’s third in as many games, with the Thorns midfielder gaining ground on the league leaders in recent weeks. If anyone in the league has a hot foot, it’s Weaver.

She has continued to put shots on goal, averaging two per game over the last three games and 1.5 shots on goal over the last 10 games. Her goals per 90 puts her ninth this season, but her shots average (3.92) puts her at third in the league. She also ranks first in key passes and expected assists, meaning that any time she’s on the field, the chances of a goal being scored are high.

She also ranks fourth in goal creating actions this season with nine. It would be difficult for the midfielder to overcome Smith, but if Weaver continues at the pace she is with three games left in the season, it’s not impossible.

Needs a goal: Lynn Williams

After starting the season hot, Williams has gone stagnant in her three games since returning from the World Cup. A good sign for her, however, is an assist in each of her last two games.

Her shot production, though, has decreased. In the three games before leaving for the World Cup, Williams had six, seven and eight shots, respectively, with an average of 3.67 shots on target over those three games. Since returning, she’s averaged three shots in the last three games and had just one shot on target in that timespan.

NWSL leaderboard

  • 11 goals
    • Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns
  • 9 goals
    • Ashley Hatch, Washington Spirit
    • Kerolin, North Carolina Courage
  • 7 goals
    • Lynn Williams, Gotham FC
    • Debinha, Kansas City Current
    • Morgan Weaver, Portland Thorns
  • 6 goals
    • Messiah Bright, Orlando Pride
  • 5 goals
    • Bethany Balcer, OL Reign
    • Savannah DeMelo, Racing Louisville
    • Crystal Dunn, Portland Thorns
    • Cece Kizer, Kansas City Current
    • Tyler Lussi, North Carolina Courage
    • Alex Morgan, San Diego Wave
    • Ashley Sanchez, Washington Spirit
    • Jordyn Huitema, OL Reign
    • Jaedyn Shaw, San Diego Wave
    • Adriana, Orlando Pride

Two rising stars made the biggest moves in the NWSL Golden Boot race over the weekend. North Carolina Courage forward Kerolin moved into a tie with Ashley Hatch for second place with her ninth goal, while Portland Thorns forward Morgan Weaver added to her tally.

Weaver now has six goals on the season, tying her with Messiah Bright and Debinha, while Lynn Williams remains behind Hatch and Kerolin with seven goals. Sophia Smith holds onto the top spot with 11 goals, though she may lose ground as she continues to nurse a week-to-week MCL sprain.

Jaedyn Shaw and Jordyn Huitema also scored over the weekend, bringing their season totals to five goals each.

Trending upward: Kerolin (9 goals)

At one point this season, Kerolin was neck-and-neck with Smith for the Golden Boot award, and she appears to be heading back in that direction after scoring in North Carolina’s 3-3 draw with Gotham on Saturday. After an outstanding June in the NWSL, the 23-year-old Brazilian has returned from the World Cup in form.

Kerolin has been particularly efficient in front of net, with her nine goals coming on just 40 shots and 15 on target. That gives her a 60 percent success rate on converting shots on target into goals. In comparison, Smith has converted 29 percent of her 38 shots on target. If Kerolin continues to make the most of her chances, she could overtake Smith in the final four games of the regular season.

Staying put: Sophia Smith (11 goals)

The good news is that Smith avoided a worst-case scenario, and instead is considered week-to-week with a mild MCL sprain in her right knee.

But there’s no clear timetable for Smith’s return. With four games remaining, including Portland’s rivalry match against OL Reign on Sept. 16, Smith’s injury has come at a less-than-ideal time for both her and the Thorns.

NWSL leaderboard

  • 11 goals
    • Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns
  • 9 goals
    • Ashley Hatch, Washington Spirit
    • Kerolin, North Carolina Courage
  • 7 goals
    • Lynn Williams, Gotham FC
  • 6 goals
    • Messiah Bright, Orlando Pride
    • Debinha, Kansas City Current
    • Morgan Weaver, Portland Thorns
  • 5 goals
    • Bethany Balcer, OL Reign
    • Savannah DeMelo, Racing Louisville
    • Crystal Dunn, Portland Thorns
    • Cece Kizer, Kansas City Current
    • Tyler Lussi, North Carolina Courage
    • Alex Morgan, San Diego Wave
    • Ashley Sanchez, Washington Spirit
    • Jordyn Huitema, OL Reign
    • Jaedyn Shaw, San Diego Wave

The U.S. women’s national team recently announced its friendly schedule for the October international window, with two games against World Cup quarterfinalists Colombia in Utah and California.

With the understanding that the team’s September games against South Africa are intended to celebrate the World Cup squad (and give Megan Rapinoe the farewell she deserves), October should bring larger roster implications. The window will give the U.S. a chance to shake up the player pool as they look to rebound from a disappointing 2023.

It’s unclear whether the team will be under new permanent management by October after the resignation of head coach Vlatko Andonovski, but leadership will be eager to reset a roster that got exposed at the World Cup. The good news for the USWNT is that there are many players excelling in the NWSL who would be great candidates for fresh looks in camp ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Here are five players I’d like to see compete for a spot on a new-look USWNT.

Sam Coffey, M, Portland Thorns

Coffey is perhaps the most obvious choice on this list as a player with some USWNT experience already. Coffey is a defensive midfielder who plays more in the style of Andi Sullivan than Julie Ertz, known for her ability to distribute and win the ball at the NWSL level. The 24-year-old is already an NWSL champion and hasn’t slowed down this year. She’s recorded a league-leading seven assists in the regular season as Portland has surged to first place despite a number of World Cup absences.

Coffey’s ability to break lines as a passer from a deep-lying midfield position is not something the U.S. prioritized under Andonovski in 2023. But ball distribution will likely be a point of focus after the World Cup as the team rethinks its shape and structure, and Coffey should be one of the first players called back into the team.

Katie Lund, GK, Racing Louisville

While Alyssa Naeher is already a USWNT legend, the program is looking for a clear successor to the 35-year-old goalkeeper. Casey Murphy has the most U.S. experience of the current group, and Aubrey Kingsbury has been excellent at the league level. But if the whole player pool is getting a rethink, Racing Louisville’s Katie Lund has proven she can handle the necessary shot-stopping to earn a call-up to camp.

Lund is leading the NWSL in saves for the second straight year, and she also leads the league in American Soccer Analysis’ goals added metric based on her elite ability to stop shots. The U.S. has increasingly prioritized goalkeepers who are comfortable with the ball at their feet, which is something even Naeher developed over time. But if the team believes that element can be coached, Lund has every other tool necessary to compete at an international level.

Jaedyn Shaw, F/M, San Diego Wave

Jaedyn Shaw had a legitimate argument for inclusion on the USWNT’s 2023 World Cup roster in the absence of Mallory Swanson due to a knee injury. Shaw has all the capabilities of a classic U.S. winger, exploiting space on the dribble to make defenders miss and providing scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.

But what makes Shaw an even more exciting USWNT prospect is her composure on the ball, which far exceeds what one might expect from an 18-year-old. She can play in a creative midfield role as well as on the wings, picking out tricky passes with the same ease as when she’s progressing the ball on the dribble. In fact, Shaw could be the heir to Rose Lavelle’s place on the field as much as she can contribute in wide areas now. She’s a must-have as the U.S. reshapes its roster.

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Morgan Weaver has earned two caps with the senior USWNT in her career. (Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports)

Morgan Weaver, F, Portland Thorns

Weaver has been a steady force for Portland in 2023, finding ways to impact games from wide areas and contributing from the inside when needed. Weaver brings a high-motor intensity to her work both with and without the ball, knowing when to provide width and get to the endline, and when to pull defenders centrally to create space for her teammates. She has five goals and four assists so far this season, and could carry even more responsibility if the knee injury Sophia Smith sustained over the weekend ends up sidelining her for an extended period of time.

Weaver also has — for lack of a more defined term — the intangibles the USWNT has long prioritized. Whether starting or playing off the bench, she brings a desire to win that puts opponents on their heels. She can fill a variety of roles for a team that sometimes struggles to get the right combination on the field, and she’d bring a personality that seems to fit right in with the USWNT’s most intense competitors.

Sam Staab, D, Washington Spirit

If there’s one thing we learned from the 2023 World Cup, it’s that center-back depth can disappear in an instant. Andonovski made the call before the tournament began that he trusted a pairing of Ertz and Naomi Girma over other options like Alana Cook and Emily Sonnett. There are also questions of whether longtime captain Becky Sauerbrunn will re-enter the fold, whether Tierna Davidson will regain her form, and whether Ertz will step away from the sport entirely.

The U.S. desperately needs to go back to the scouting board at the center-back position, and Staab should be high on their list. She’s the Spirit’s iron woman, providing a steady durability the USWNT has missed in recent years. She can disrupt play with her positioning and send a long ball forward on a dime, and her NWSL experience should allow her to become a contributor quickly. Staab also has long throw-in capabilities, giving any team extended set-piece opportunities in the final third. The 26-year-old has done the work, and now she deserves a look.

Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

August was a disjointed month in the NWSL, as the league took an extended regular season break to finish the Challenge Cup group stage and make room for World Cup absences. With only two regular season games throughout the month, sample sizes for top performers have been small, while World Cup players have had variable availability.

Within that context, for the first time this season, our Player of the Month is a defender — and one who was not destined for international duty in 2023. A number of teams are making strong playoff pushes based on their ability to hold onto leads and grit out results, placing extra importance on defenders.

Here are our top performers for the month of August in the NWSL, beginning with our choice for Player of the Month.

Sarah Gorden, D, Angel City FC

Angel City FC is unbeaten in nine games across all competitions, with six of those wins coming in the regular season. Two of those games were in August, as the Los Angeles club makes a surge toward the playoffs.

Angel City’s newfound attacking tenacity has been critical to their success, but they’ve also been adept at turning close games into results. The player at the center of those efforts is center-back Sarah Gorden, who’s been remarkably steady in her first full season with the club.

Gorden is in the top five in American Soccer Analysis’ g+ metric for the August regular season, due to her excellent 1v1 defending and closing speed that allows her to interrupt opponents’ attacks. The Angel City defense gave up just two goals in two regular season games in August, securing a draw and the club’s first win ever against OL Reign.

In a season without many defensive stalwarts, Gorden has stood out, and now Angel City is finding the success it’s been looking for. Gorden surely has to be on the shortlist for 2023 NWSL Defender of the Year, as she gives her team a shot at its first-ever playoff berth.

Honorable Mentions

Morgan Weaver, F, Portland Thorns

Weaver notched a goal and an assist in two regular season games in August, as Portland went undefeated to regain the top spot on the NWSL table. Weaver is overshadowed at times by higher-profile teammates, such as Golden Boot leader Sophia Smith, but she serves as the motor that helps Portland’s attacking machine run.

Messiah Bright, F, Orlando Pride

Speaking of end-of-the-year shortlists, Messiah Bright’s case for Rookie of the Year is getting stronger by the game. The Pride dominated a struggling Chicago Red Stars team in their first regular season game of the month, with Bright scoring a brace in just 60 minutes played. The 2023 second-round pick now has six goals on the season, launching herself into the Golden Boot conversation as a rookie.

Abby Dahlkemper, D, San Diego Wave

Abby Dahlkemper made a welcome return to the NWSL in August, after a back injury had held her out of competitive play for almost a year. Slotting back into San Diego’s starting defense, the World Cup champion helped seal two much-needed regular season wins as the Wave surged into third place. She capped her return month with a goal, opening the scoring in San Diego’s 2-1 win over Orlando on Friday.

Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

Is Morgan Weaver part scorpion?

The Portland Thorns forward certainly looked like it during Wednesday night’s NWSL Challenge Cup match against visiting Angel City FC. In the 93rd minute, Weaver scored a montage-worthy stoppage-time goal off an assist from Christine Sinclair, leading the Thorns to a 3-2 win.

“I was just trying to get my foot on it,” Weaver said. “Last second, I put my leg in the air.”

After the Thorns got off to a 2-0 start goals from Michele Vasconcelos and Izzy D’Aquila. Angel City rallied back in the second half with goals from Clarisse Le Bihan and Claire Emslie (penalty).

Weaver, who subbed into the game in the 69th minute, said she was determined to see Portland walk away with the Challenge Cup win.

“When I went on, I was like, ‘I’m not losing this game. I’m not tying. We need a win,'” she said.

Weaver also joked that her teammate Hina Sugita deserves some credit for helping her gain the flexibility needed to pull off the scorpion kick.

“Thank goodness for Hina,” she said. “She does these hip mobility (exercises) and I always watch and I’m like, ‘Gosh, I need to start doing that.’ And I’ve been doing it a lot more so I’m like, ‘Shoutout Hina!'”

Even for the NWSL, Saturday night’s match between the Portland Thorns and Angel City featured an extraordinary number of chaotic twists and turns.

And none was bigger than the final play of the game. Trailing 3-2 in the seventh minute of five minutes of stoppage time, Portland Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby was sent to the opposing penalty box for a corner kick. Angel City keeper Didi Haracic managed to get her hands on the ball, but when it slipped through her fingers, Bixby made the most of the moment, scoring a backheel goal.

“I still can’t believe it, but it’s like a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I gotta really absorb it,” Bixby said during her celebratory post-game lap at Portland’s Providence Park.

Bixby is the second goalkeeper to score in NWSL history, joining Michelle Betos, who also salvaged a draw in stoppage time while playing for the Thorns in 2015.

With the draw, Portland remains unbeaten in regular season competition (3-0-2) and in first place in the NWSL standings with 11 overall points.

Saturday’s NWSL match was a back-and-forth battle. Eighteen-year-old Alyssa Thompson got Angel City off to an early lead in the 10th minute, scoring her second goal of the 2023 NWSL season. But when new Angel City signee Julie Ertz fouled Crystal Dunn in the box, Thorns midfielder Hina Sugita converted the penalty to draw the Thorns even 1-1.

Morgan Weaver gave Portland a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute, taking advantage of a beautifully placed pass from Olivia Moultrie.

After two quick set-piece goals from Angel City — a Thorns own goal (74′) and Julie Ertz header (79′) — the visitors appeared en route to a 3-2 win.

And then came Bella Bixby’s big moment.

“It was a rollercoaster of emotions,” Thorns coach Mike Norris told The Oregonian. “Angel City came with the energy and we didn’t match that structurally. It was disappointing and we addressed that at halftime and were happy with the second half response.

“We felt we were in control and then two set pieces were costly and we’re chasing the game again. But credit to the group for fighting and keeping composure.”

Morgan Weaver needed just one touch to put an exclamation mark on the Portland Thorns’ incredible scoring streak.

With 10 minutes left in regulation of a game on July 16, Weaver intercepted a pass from Gotham goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris intended for defender Mandy Freeman. As Freeman looped around to meet the ball, Weaver connected with her left foot and caught an unsuspecting Harris out of position.

Portland was already up 4-0 on Gotham when Weaver added to the tally, and her goal was one of 23 scored by 12 different Thorns players during an eight-game unbeaten streak heading into the break. The Thorns are also first in the NWSL with 29 goals so far this season.

The stretch was particularly impressive, as it came over a period of time when several key players were on international duty and the Thorns had to rely on a less experienced cast.

“In terms of connectivity, in terms of asking the team to play a certain way, (this stretch) couldn’t have gone better,” coach Rhian Wilkinson said. “We used our depth, we used new faces, and everyone knew their role and fought for one another.”

When the NWSL regular season resumes Friday night, the Thorns will look to keep up their streak against Racing Louisville FC. Before kickoff, here’s a look at the team’s 12 goal scorers.

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Hina Sugita is making her NWSL debut after signing a three-year deal with Portland in January. (Soobum Im/Getty Images)

Hina Sugita

Sugita is in her first season with the Thorns after playing eight years of pro soccer in Japan. The midfielder has scored three times this season, with two coming during the Thorns’ unbeaten stretch. All three goals have come off of her left foot and from inside the box. Sugita is also a member of the Japanese women’s national team.

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Sophia Smith is second in the NWSL with eight goals this season. (Soobum Im/Getty Images)

Sophia Smith

A member of the U.S. women’s national team, Smith notched five goals for the Thorns during their unbeaten streak before traveling to Mexico to help the USWNT win the Concacaf Championship. Smith is second in the NWSL with eight goals and first with 30 shots, 20 of which she put on goal.

Kelli Hubly

The defender’s header off a corner kick on June 3 against Angel City was her first and only goal of the season. She found herself unmarked and connected on the header in the 3-0 victory. Hubly has played in the NWSL for four seasons, and the June 3 goal was the first of her career.

Christine Sinclair

The Canadian scored twice against Angel City, and then again against the San Diego Wave, before taking up captain duties for her country during the Concacaf tournament. The 39-year-old has four goals this season for the Thorns and is currently second on the NWSL’s all-time goal scorers list with 58.

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Olivia Moultrie is the youngest-ever NWSL goal scorer at 16 years old. (Maria Lysaker/USA TODAY Sports)

Olivia Moultrie

When Moultrie scored her first of two goals so far this season in a June 12 win over Houston, she made history. The 16-year-old’s goal came in the 74th minute of a 4-0 win and made her the youngest scorer ever in NWSL play. The record was previously held by 18-year-old Ellie Carpenter, who was also playing for Portland at the time.

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Becky Sauerbrunn, not known for her goal-scoring, added to Portland's tally during the streak. (Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Becky Sauerbrunn

Another experienced vet, Sauerbrunn has played professional soccer since 2005 while also appearing for the USWNT. The defender’s goal in a June 19 6-0 shutout of OL Reign was her first of the season and the first of her Thorns career. The 37-year-old also led the USWNT’s backline in the Concacaf tournament earlier this month.

Natalie Kuikka

The Finnish midfielder was signed to a two-year deal that started in 2021 after enjoying a successful collegiate career at Florida State. Kuikka scored nine goals during her four years as a Seminole, but her right-footed tally on June 19 was her first with the Thorns. She’s appeared in nine games for Portland this season.

Taylor Porter

The 24-year-old midfielder has scored twice for Portland this season. Her first goal was in the 6-0 win over OL Reign, and the second came in the 5-0 win over Gotham. This is her second season with the Thorns, after she signed with the team in 2021 when players from the USWNT were participating in the Olympics.

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Yazmeen Ryan has one goal and four assists for Portland Thorns this season. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Yazmeen Ryan

Despite scoring just one goal this season — a header in a 1-1 draw with Angel City on July 1 — Ryan has been an active contributor to the Thorns’ offense this season. The 23-year-old midfielder leads the NWSL with four assists.

Marissa Everett

Portland re-signed Everett on Feb. 3 to a one-year deal. She initially joined the club in 2019 as a national team replacement player. The 24-year-old, who has played in five games this season, scored her first goal on July 16 while also registering a season-high four shots.

Hannah Betfort

Portland’s fourth goal in the win over Gotham on July 16 came off the head of Betfort, for her first of the season. The 23-year-old attacker played one minute in her debut for the Thorns on June 8 and has made six appearances since.

Morgan Weaver

The final goal during Portland’s unbeaten stretch leading into the break came off the left foot of Weaver. She has two goals in 10 games this season, the first coming in her debut on April 30 in a 3-0 win over Kansas City. Weaver joined Portland in 2020 as the second pick of the College Draft after scoring 43 goals at Washington State.

Eden Laase is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @eden_laase.

The USWNT has added Morgan Weaver and Morgan Gautrat to the roster for January training camp in Austin.

Defender Imani Dorsey, meanwhile, has been ruled out of camp due to injury.

A midfielder for the Chicago Red Stars, Gautrat was a member of the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup championship teams. She also competed as a member of the 2016 Olympic Team. In total, Guatrat has 87 caps and eight career goals. Her last appearance with the USWNT came in November of 2020.

Weaver, meanwhile, will be earning her second full USWNT call-up. The Portland Thorns’ forward was named to the USWNT roster for the team’s trip to Australia in November. While there she earned her first two caps, coming off the bench in both games.

While players will not see any game action during January camp, the SheBelieves Cup is scheduled to take place a month later, from Feb. 17-23.