One of the few moves the Portland Thorns front office made this offseason that flew under the radar was the signing of Norway Youth International Cassandra Bogere via transfer from Norway’s SK Brann Kvinner for an undisclosed fee through the 2028 season with a 2029 club option.
Interim head coach Sarah Lowdon has called the midfielder a young player with a high ceiling.
President and general manager of soccer operations, Jeff Agoos has also shared that sentiment.
“Cassandra is an exciting and emerging young talent who fits the profile of player we’re looking for as we continue preparations for the 2026 season,” Jeff Agoos said. “She is dynamic and disciplined in central midfield with an ability to contribute in and out of possession. With almost 100 professional appearances as a 20-year-old and meaningful experience on the pitch in a winning environment, we welcome Cassandra as a valuable addition to our roster.”
How does she fit in with the Portland Thorns who have a major void at the six and a logjam at the 10?
In order to find out more, I had the privilege to discuss with Nordic Women's football expert, Executive Director of Northland Media, and the host of Empower Women’s Soccer Podcast, Ashle Paige.
Phuoc Nguyen/Stumptown Footy: First off, how do you pronounce Cassandra Bogere's last name?
Ashle Paige: Her last name is pronounced boh-GEHR (or bo-gair)
PN: How long have you followed her career and the league?
AP: I'm actually a huge Nordic Women's football nerd and have a podcast covering the Nordic Women's game that will return this spring when the Toppserien & Damallsvenskan begin their seasons once again. But even before starting the podcast I have been watching the Nordic women's game for about 7 or 8 years now. It's probably the most fun set of leagues to watch because it doesn't have the monetary inequalities of say England of Germany. The problem with that is then you have players like Cassandra who leave the country(ies) for higher level of play and pay.
PN: Where is she most comfortable in the midfield?
AP: I think she's been a great playmaker as an attacking mid. She plays confidently and while she doesn't put up a ton of hard numbers, she's skilled in that role. She's also been floated out to winger and defensive mid, where she is also a proficient player.
PN: What stands out about her game?
AP: She is such a versatile player, it's hard to pick just one thing. She's good at corners and can serve the ball in to the box extremely well. But if I had to pick one thing, it would be her ability to find space. As a central midfielder she's a linchpin of both the offence and defence and gets back very well. But her ability to find space and makes runs into the box is something else - not that the Thorns don't already.
PN: Fit for Portland?
AP: She's a complete package as a player so to speak and really should have no trouble fitting in anywhere on the pitch. She's solid at defending, good at attacking, and (as mentioned previously) great at creating and finding space. As for the supporters I think they will fall in love with her after they see her play one or two matches at home.
PN: What does this type of move to the NWSL mean for Cassandra Bogere?
AP: She is without question a future star for the Norwegian national team. It's a big career move for her as the calibre of play is much higher in the NWSL. Coming into that league at age 20 can be a challenge, but if she shows what many expect from her I would expect U23 & Senior national team callups to be in her future.
PN: Expectations for her first year in the NWSL?
AP: That's probably the hardest question to answer. Portland has an excellent midfield and (IMO) probably the strongest, although not deepest, part of the Thorns squad. She's going to have a massive challenge to break into the Starting XI. I can see her coming off the bench quite a bit to begin with until she breaks into the XI. Later in the season as injuries and wear & tear hit the lasses I believe she'll become a secondary starter.
