Portland Thorns Trade Hina Sugita to Angel City FC
In a significant intra-league trade, the Portland Thorns have sent midfielder Hina Sugita to Angel City FC, receiving defender M.A. Vignola and a substantial $600,000 in transfer funds in return, as reported by multiple sources to ESPN. This transaction aligns with last August’s trade in which Kansas City Current acquired USWNT forward Ally Sentnor from Utah Royals FC for the same financial amount, but this time it involves a player of starter caliber.
Context of the Trade
This trade comes in the backdrop of Angel City FC’s strategic moves, especially following the high-profile transfer of Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea, which has left a notable impact on the team structure. Additionally, the recent transfer of Jaedyn Shaw from North Carolina Courage to NJ/NY Gotham FC for a record $1.25 million illustrates the growing trend of significant transactions in the NWSL, with this deal now sitting among the highest transfers globally this year.
Details of the Trade
Despite the NWSL’s external transfer deadline having passed, the Thorns’ decision to part with Sugita was made during a timeframe when intra-league trades are still permitted, valid until the league’s roster freeze deadline on October 9 at 3 PM ET. Sugita has been a critical player for Portland since she joined in 2022, contributing to their third NWSL Championship, but her playing time notably reduced in September, with just one start in four matches.
Portland finds itself in a position of plenty within their midfield, as they also have key contributors like U.S. internationals Sam Coffey and Olivia Moultrie, alongside Canadian Jessie Fleming. Although the club attempted to retain Sugita with an improved contract, they could not compete with the conditions offered by Angel City FC, according to insiders familiar with the situation.
Impact on Angel City FC
For Angel City, the addition of Vignola—who transitioned from a forward position to a fullback role—is significant as they look to bolster their defense. Vignola, now 27, earned her first cap with the USWNT recently in September 2023. This trade not only provides the Thorns with much-needed depth at the back but also complements Angel City’s ongoing investment in strong defensive player talent, including notable signings like Gisele Thompson and Japan’s Miyabi Moriya.
Moreover, the club’s captain, Ali Riley, has made headlines recently, announcing her retirement at the end of the season, further marking a transition period for Angel City. The financial framework of the NWSL allows for such trades, where teams maintain a net transfer fund balance, and Angel City stands to benefit from the monetary influx from Thompson’s transfer to Chelsea.
Recent Trade History
The trade between Thorns and Angel City is the second in recent weeks; previously, Portland secured forward Julie Dufour along with a 2025 international roster spot from Angel City in exchange for $40,000 in transfer funds.
Looking Ahead
As the NWSL regular season approaches its climax, Angel City is set to host Portland in a match on October 19, heightening the competitive landscape as both teams gear up for the playoffs.
