Player Profile: Alex Morgan
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Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Robby Davis, GoLocalPDX Contributor
The city of Portland was undoubtedly very interested in this summer’s Women’s World Cup. Not only was the United States considered the frontrunners throughout the tournament, but one of the team’s most dynamic players, Alex Morgan, also plays for the Portland Thorns.
Morgan, 26, is a native Californian who signed with the Thorns in January of 2013. But before that she had attended UC Berkley where she played soccer from 2007-2011. By the time her college career ended for the Golden Bears she ranked third all-time in goals scored (45) and points (107).
In January of 2011 Morgan entered the WPS (Women's Professional Soccer) Draft where she was the 1st overall selection by the Western New York Flash. In her inaugural season she was able to experience plenty of success with her new team. Not only did she play in 14 matches and score 4 goals, but the team also won the regular season title and the WPS Championship title.
For the 2012 season Morgan chose to sign with the Seattle Sounders Women. While in Seattle she was reunited with fellow national teammate, Hope Solo. She only played there for 1 season.
On January 11th, 2013 Morgan was one of three players who decided to join the Portland Thorns for their inaugural season. She finished the 2013 season as the team's point leader, and joint scoring leader with eight goals and five assists. She was even named to the NWSL's Best XI Second Team.
Most of Morgan’s success has come from playing for the United State’s Women’s National team.
When the 2011 Women’s World Cup rolled around she was the youngest player to make the squad. Although she was the youngest she found ways to maker her presence known. Due to her knack for scoring and assisting on goals Morgan finished 8th in the balloting for the 2011 FIFA World Player of the Year. Unfortunately the team fell to Japan in the final game.
The following year she departed for the 2012 London Olympics where she became an international superstar. Morgan led the U.S. in goals (28), multi-goal games (9), assists (21) and points (77). Because of her play on the field U.S. Soccer named Morgan as the 2012 Female Athlete of the Year.
On top of all those previous accomplishments she was also able to help the United States win the 2015 Women’s World Cup this summer. Although she wasn’t completely healthy throughout the duration of the tournament she was still able to find ways to contribute to the team’s success.
At just 26-years-old she has accomplished more than most soccer players ever dream of. If one thing’s for sure it’s that Portland is very lucky to have Morgan representing their city.
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Alex Morgan
Alex Morgan, 25, is a forward for the Portland Thorns. She recently signed with the club in January of 2013 after playing for the Western New York Flash and the Seattle Sounders. She rose to prominence because of her success playing for the United States women’s national soccer team. Morgan was the youngest player to represent the U.S. during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She will once again represent team USA this summer as they prepare to head off to Canada for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Photo credit: Alex Morgan's Facebook page
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Meyers Leonard
Meyers Leonard, 23, was the 11th overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft. Over the past few years he has been diligently working with the Portland Trailblazer’s coaching staff in order to refine his game. The Illinois alumni’s hard work has been paying off considering he’s having the best season of his career.
Photo credit: Meyers Leonard's Facebook page
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Kaylyn Kyle
Kaylyn Kyle, 26, is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for the Portland Thorns. She is also a member of the Canadian women’s national team. Kyle was part of the 2012 Canadian national team that defeated France in the bronze medal game. She is also an ambassador for, Right To Play, which is an organization dedicated to using soccer as a resource to educate and empower children from disadvantaged communities.
Photo credit: Kaylyn Kyle's Facebook page
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Gaston Fernandez
Gaston Fernandez, 31, is a striker for the Portland Timbers. The club signed the Argentinian striker back in January of 2014. During his MLS debut with the Timbers he scored an equalizer goal that extended the Timbers unbeaten home record to sixteen.
Photo credit: via forums.bigsoccer.com
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Marcus Mariota
Marcus Mariota, 21, is coming off one of the best seasons any Oregon Duck quarterback has ever experienced. He is the first Hawaiian-born athlete to ever win the Heisman trophy. This season he also led the Ducks to a 12-1 regular season record. Duck fans everywhere will be anxiously waiting to see where Mariota goes in this year’s NFL Draft.
Photo credit: via Oregon Football's Facebook page
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Ellie Cribbins
Ellie Cribbins is a second year Blazer Dancer for the Portland Trailblazers. Cribbins is originally from Portland, Oregon but attended Oregon State University. This season proved to be a unique one for Cribbins since her sister also made the Blazer Dancers last August.
Photo credit: via Ellie Cribbin's Facebook page
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Jake Gleeson
Jake Gleeson, 24, is a New Zealand born goalie that is currently playing for the Portland Timbers. He signed with the club in February of 2011. Gleeson has taken pride over the past few years of being a young player who has worked his way up the ranks.
Photo credit: via solofutbol.cl
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Janie Takeda
Janie Takeda, 21, is a senior outfielder for the University of Oregon. The Dallas Charge of the National Pro Fastpitch League recently drafted her 26th overall. Takeda was also selected to play on the United States women’s national team during the 2015 summer season. She is set to graduate from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication this spring.
Photo credit: Janie Takeda's Facebook page
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Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard, 24, was the NBA’s 2012 Rookie Of The Year. He was the 4th Portland Trailblazer to ever win the award. Since then he’s been named an All-Star twice, as well as an All-NBA Third Team selection. Lillard had one of the most rememberable performances in Trailblazer history after he hit a three-pointer that defeated the Houston Rockets in game 6 of the 2014 NBA Playoffs.
Photo credit: Damian Lillard's Facebook page
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Maggie Rouse
Maggie Rouse, 20, is a junior cheerleader for the University of Oregon. She just completed her third year on the team. When she tried out as a freshman she never expected to make the squad. Yet, here she is two years later. She is currently majoring in Educational Foundations.
Photo credit: Maggie Rouse's Facebook page
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LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge, 29, is widely considered to be one of the best power-forwards in the NBA. The Texas native is averaging 23.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game this season for the Portland Trailblazers. He is also a four-time NBA All-Star. On March 10th, 2015 Aldridge became the Trailblazers all-time leading rebounder.
Photo credit: LaMarcus Aldridge's Facebook page
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Kaytianna McMillan
Kaytianna McMillan is a gymnast for the Oregon State Beavers. Over the course of 2014 McMillan battled a series of injuries, yet she was still able to overcome them in order to become the Co-Champion of the 2014 NCAA University Park Regionals. Oregon State will be lucky to have her for the next couple of years.
Photo credit: Oregon State Athletics website
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Devon Allen
Devon Allen, 20, just completed his freshman year as a wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks. Not only is he the starting wide receiver for the Ducks he also runs track for the Oregon Outdoor Track and Field team. He recently earned a Gold Medal in the 110 meter hurdles during the 2014 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Although he is recovering from a torn ACL we hope to see him back on the field during the 2015-2016 season.
Phot credit: University of Oregon Facebook page
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Chase De Leo
Chase De Leo, 19, currently plays center for the Portland Winterhawks. His quickness and overall creative offensive game earned him an invite to Team USA’s selection camp back in December of 2014. Of all 30 players who were invited, he was only one of 2 WHL players.
Photo credit: Chase De Leo's Facebook page
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Darron Thomas
Darron Thomas, 24, is a professional quarterback for the Portland Thunder of the Arena Football League. During his college days he played for the Oregon Ducks. While starting for the Ducks he led to the team to the 2011 BCS National Championship game, as well as the 2012 Rose Bowl. The Texas native recently partook in the NFL Veteran Combine with the hope of upstarting his NFL career.
Photo credit: Portland Thunder Facebook page
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