Karina LeBlanc - They are loving her in Portland

[Sport Shaman]

So while I am on a holiday in Portland checking out the food, beer, wine, etc. I happened to see this article in the Portland Tribune about the Thorns goalkeeper; our very own Karina LeBlanc. In part:

How accomplished of a pianist or ballerina the 5-10 LeBlanc could have been will remain a mystery. But she has turned herself into one of the best goalkeepers in the world, with 16 years of experience with the Canadian national team and an Olympic bronze medal from the 2012 London Games.

LeBlanc also has been stellar for the Thorns. In 14 matches, she has made 60 saves, allowed just 12 goals and was named NWSL player of the week after blocking a late penalty kick by Abby Wambach in Sunday’s 1-1 home draw against the Western New York Flash.

For the full story: http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/156818-a-thorn-in-the-side-of-opponents

The Thorns also have a pretty good Canadian attacking midfielder / striker playing here but that is another story.

[Blackdude]

There is one big factual error:

"LeBlanc’s dream of playing in the Olympics was temporarily derailed in 2004. After leading Canada to a berth in the Athens Games, she suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament and missed the 2004 Olympics."

Actually, Leblanc played the full match against Mexico in the 04 Olympic qualifier. She didn't miss the Olympicis because of a torn PCL, she missed the Olympics because the team couldn't qualify for the tournament.