Laila Harbert’s loan spell in the United States is under way, with the 18-year-old midfielder making her Portland Thorns debut in a 3-0 defeat at Gotham FC.
The Arsenal academy graduate, who captained England at youth level, came off the bench just after the hour mark to make her first appearance in the NWSL as she replaced Hina Sugita. Portland’s other new signing, 18-year-old forward Valerin Loboa, also made her bow late on.
Portland were already chasing the game when Midge Purce’s early header and a Rose Lavelle strike before the break gave Gotham control. Both sides had goals disallowed in the second half before Katie Stengel sealed the contest with a third 10 minutes after Harbert’s introduction.
The Thorns believe Harbert can adapt quickly to the tempo of the American game, and Arsenal see the loan as an important step towards senior readiness.
Harbert is expected to be eased into more minutes in the closing weeks of the season which ends at the start of November.