As expected, Christine Sinclair will be returning to Portland. She previously started there as a member of the University of Portland, where she captured a national championship.
The 2012 Canadian athlete of the year was placed on the Thorns today as part of the NWSL's international allocation. There she will be teammates with fellow Canadian international Karina LeBlanc and, somewhat surprisingly, US international Alex Morgan.
With that type of firepower Portland has to be considered a favourite to win the first NWSL title.
Some Canadians may be looking for both a favourite team in the new league and a team to cheer against. Boston might meet the latter category -- home of former Canadian youth player Sydney Leroux.
You can read the full allocation, including where the other 14 Canadian players ended up, below the jump.
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Boston Breakers: Sydney Leroux (USA), Heather Mitts (USA), Heather O’Reilly (USA), Adriana Leon (CAN), Rhian Wilkinson (CAN), Anisa Guajardo (MEX) and Cecilia Santiago (MEX).
Chicago Red Stars: Shannon Boxx (USA), Amy LePeilbet (USA), Keelin Winters (USA), Erin McLeod (CAN), Carmelina Moscato (CAN), Maribel Dominguez (MEX) and Dinora Garza (MEX).
FC Kansas City: Nicole Barnhart (USA), Lauren Cheney (USA), Becky Sauerbrunn (USA), Desiree Scott (CAN), Lauren Sesselmann (CAN), Renae Cuellar (MEX) and Marylin Diaz (MEX).
Portland Thorns FC: Rachel Buehler (USA), Tobin Heath (USA), Alex Morgan (USA), Luz Saucedo (MEX), Marlene Sandoval (MEX), Karina LeBlanc (CAN) Christine Sinclair (CAN).
Seattle Reign FC: Megan Rapinoe (USA), Amy Rodriguez (USA), Hope Solo (USA), Kaylyn Kyle (CAN), Emily Zurrer (CAN), Jenny Ruiz (MEX) and Teresa Noyola (MEX).
Sky Blue FC: Jill Loyden (USA), Kelley O’Hara (USA), Christie Rampone (USA), Sophie Schmidt (CAN), Melanie Booth (CAN), Monica Ocampo (MEX) and Lydia Rangel (MEX).
Washington Spirit: Ashlyn Harris (USA), Ali Krieger (USA), Lori Lindsey (USA), Robin Gayle (CAN), Diana Matheson (CAN), Alina Garciamendez (MEX) and Teresa Worbis (MEX).
Western New York Flash: Carli Lloyd (USA), Abby Wambach (USA), Bryana McCarthy (CAN), Jodi-Ann Robinson (CAN), Veronica Perez (MEX) and Pamela Tajonar (MEX).