Thorns trade M Hina Sugita to Angel City

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The Portland Thorns traded midfielder Hina Sugita to Angel City on Tuesday in exchange for defender M.A. Vignola and $600,000 in intraleague transfer funds.

Sugita, 28, had been with the Thorns since 2022 and racked up 13 goals and 14 assists in league play (82 appearances, 71 starts). She had three assists for Portland this season.

“Hina is a world class midfielder who has consistently been one (of) the best players in this extremely competitive league,” Angel City sporting director Mark Parsons said in a statement. “She is dynamic with high game intelligence who we believe helps us on the field and brings valuable experience off the field. We are proud to bring a championship-caliber player to Angel City.”

Sugita is also an experienced member of the Japanese national team who played in the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cups.

“I am so grateful to have the opportunity to join Angel City,” Sugita said in a statement. “I feel a lot of energy and passion from the club, and I’m happy to be part of this community. I’m very excited to play for this team and look forward to seeing the fans at BMO Stadium.”

Vignola, 27, also had played for her club since 2022 but now joins a Portland team (8-7-7, 31 points) in sixth place in the league and in position for one of the eight playoff spots. Angel City (6-10-6, 24 points) are 11th, five points out of eighth-place Racing Louisville.

Vignola posted five goals and five assists in 57 career matches for Angel City, including one goal and two assists this year.

The University of Tennessee alum signed a two-year contract to stay with Angel City after the 2024 season, meaning she is under contract with Portland through 2026. She has appeared in one match for the United States women’s national team.

–Field Level Media