Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo Unveil Expansion Rosters

A closer look at the inaugural rosters for the WNBA's newest franchises

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:25pm

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The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, the WNBA's 14th and 15th franchises, have completed their expansion drafts, selecting players from existing teams to build their inaugural rosters. While the Fire's roster reflects a clear identity and philosophy, the Tempo's selections appear more traditional and in need of further roster moves to be competitive.

Why it matters

The expansion draft is a critical moment for new WNBA franchises to establish the foundation of their teams. The choices made by Portland and Toronto provide insight into the strategic vision and team-building approaches of their respective general managers and head coaches.

The details

The Fire selected Canadian sharpshooter Bridget Carleton with the No. 1 overall pick, while the Tempo chose Belgian point guard Julie Allemand with the second pick. Portland also added players like Carla Leite, Emily Engstler, and Sarah Ashlee Barker, while Toronto selected Marina Mabrey, Nyara Sabally, and Aaliyah Nye. The Fire's roster seems tailored to a specific playing style and team identity, while the Tempo's selections appear more traditional, potentially requiring further roster moves to be competitive.

  • The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft took place on April 4, 2026.

The players

Bridget Carleton

A Canadian sharpshooter who has played for the Minnesota Lynx since 2019, Carleton was selected by the Portland Fire with the No. 1 overall pick in the expansion draft.

Julie Allemand

A Belgian point guard with three seasons of WNBA experience, most recently playing for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2025, Allemand was selected by the Toronto Tempo with the second pick in the expansion draft.

Marina Mabrey

A capable scorer who has shown the ability to produce star-level performances, Mabrey was selected by the Toronto Tempo as an unrestricted free agent.

Vanja Černivec

The general manager of the Portland Fire, Černivec previously worked with the Valkyries, a team that prioritized system and culture over traditional star power.

Alex Sarama

The head coach of the Portland Fire, Sarama is known for his constraints-led offensive approach, which empowers players to adapt to on-court circumstances.

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What they’re saying

“Bridget Carleton will be a founding player for the rebirth of the Fire. Her experience in the Lynx's sophisticated offensive system appealed to us.”

— Vanja Černivec, General Manager, Portland Fire

“We valued Marina Mabrey's competitiveness, and she will be a featured offensive player for us as we build our inaugural roster.”

— Monica Wright Rogers, General Manager, Toronto Tempo

What’s next

The Fire and Tempo will continue to build their rosters through free agency and the college draft, as they aim to field competitive teams for their inaugural WNBA seasons.

The takeaway

The expansion draft selections provide a glimpse into the strategic visions of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. While the Fire's roster seems tailored to a specific playing style and team identity, the Tempo's selections appear more traditional, suggesting they may need further roster moves to be competitive in their inaugural season.