Portland Thorns, Timbers Announce Rosters For Ukraine Charity Benefit

PORTLAND, OR — The Portland Thorns and Timbers have their rosters set for a charity match next Wednesday to benefit UNICEF. Money raised will go to assist Ukrainian refugees.

The teams are combining their squads and splitting into a blue team and a yellow team.

A draft was held Thursday in which the squads were picked.

"Soccer is a universal and undying sport," Thorns forward Christine Sinclair, one of the co-captains, said recently when the match was announced.

"This is something that we've wanted to do as a club for years, and I couldn't think of a better reason. A match like this is one of its kind, and while this game will be entertaining no doubt, the focus is to provide relief for Ukraine."

The match, which wil also be streamed, will be played at Providence Park next Wednesday at 6 p.m. While it's free, people are encouraged to donate to the fund. The Thorns and timbers will match a combined $100,000 in donations.

There will also be an online auction where fans can bid on game worn shirts and other other items from the match including the game ball.

Here are the rosters for two squads:

Team Blue

Goalkeepers: Aljaz Ivacic, Abby Smith, Justin Vom Steeg

Defenders: Pablo Bonilla, Kelli Hubly, Natalia Kuikka, Larrys Mabiala, Emily Menges, Meaghan Nally, Gabby Provenzano, Justin Rasmussen, Dario Zuparic

Midfielders: Dairon Asprilla, Natalie Beckman, Diego Chara, Marissa Everett, Marvin Loría, Cristhian Paredes, Yazmeen Ryan, Hina Sugita

Forwards: Hannah Betfort, Blake Bodily, Felipe Mora, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, Sophia Smith

Team Yellow

Goalkeepers: David Bingham, Bella Bixby, Shelby Hogan, Hunter Sulte

Defenders: Claudio Bravo, Meghan Klingenberg, Zac McGraw, Madison Pogarch, Becky Sauerbrunn, Bill Tuiloma, Josecarlos Van Rankin

Midfielders: David Ayala, Sebastián Blanco, Yimmi Chara, Sam Coffey, George Fochive, Olivia Moultrie, Santiago Moreno, Taylor Porter, Rocky Rodríguez, Eryk Williamson

Forwards: Janine Beckie, Diego Gutierrez, Tega Ikoba, Christine Sinclair, Morgan Weaver