Former Penn State Women’s Soccer Star Rocky Rodriguez Traded To Angel City FC
The Penn State women’s soccer pipeline from Happy Valley to the Portland Thorns received its first shake up.
Midfielder Rocky Rodriguez was traded from the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Portland Thorns to Angel City FC in Los Angeles. The Thorns recevied $275,000 in allocation money in exchange for the rights to Rodriguez.
“Life takes unexpected turns, and this was one of them,” Rodriguez said on Instagram Tuesday.
Rodriguez appeared in 72 matches in Portland through four seasons with the Thorns. She was integral to the team’s 2022 NWSL Championship run, 2021 NWSL Shield victory, 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup team, and more.
In 2023, the 5’5″ midfielder made eight starts through 14 appearances and recorded a 79.8% pass success rate. She also registered a goal within her 658 minutes played.
“We want to thank Rocky for her contributions to the Thorns and the Rose City these past four years, she has been instrumental in helping us achieve so many wonderful highs, including our third Championship,” Thorns General Manager Karina LeBlanc said in a release. “In speaking with Rocky a couple days ago I know she is sad to be leaving our club, but is looking forward to the opportunities at Angel City.”
Rodriguez will depart Nittany Lions Sam Coffey, Payton Linnehan, and Katherine Asman in Portland. She’ll join Angel City, which finished fifth in 2023 NWSL standings, for preseason. The group went 8-7-7 with a talented roster featuring Sydney Leroux, Alyssa Thompson, and Ali Riley.
“Rocky brings a high level of professionalism and presence to Angel City’s midfield and that’s combined with a tremendous amount of experience in this league and internationally as well,” Angel City General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano said. “We’re beyond thrilled that we are able to have her join our squad.”
At Penn State, Rodriguez won the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is awarded annually to college soccer’s top player and scored the game-winning goal to clinch the Nittany Lions’ first and only national championship in 2015.
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