Bella Geist signed as a National Team Replacement Player

With Adrianna Franch departing for US Women’s national team camp, the Thorns are short the two goalkeepers required per NWSL rules. Bella Geist has been signed to a National Team Replacement contract for the duration of Franch’s absence: that is, for the one game against Sky Blue. She is expected to serve as Britt Eckerstrom’s backup.

Geist, a native of Milwaukie, Oregon, has been training with the team all season after getting taken by the Thorns with the 29th overall pick in the 2018 NWSL college draft. She was signed to a goalkeeper replacement contract earlier in the season when AD Franch was injured for the early part of the season but picked up an injury of her own shortly after. Geist…