Portland Thorns Lands Defender Becky Sauerbrunn

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Thorns have acquired veteran U.S. national team defender Becky Sauerbrunn from the Utah Royals. The Royals acquired defender Elizabeth Ball and $100,000 in allocation money, with the possibility of additional allocation money if future conditions are met. Sauerbrunn has played professionally in the National Women's Soccer League since 2013, starting with FC Kansas City before moving to the Royals in 2018. She has been named NWSL defender of the year four times.