Julie Dufour: The French Connection
Eight seasons in France. Eight caps for Les Bleues. Zero luck with timing.
Julie Dufour arrived in Portland the hard way -- traded from Angel City in August 2025 for $40,000 and an international roster spot. Before that, she spent eight seasons in France. Lille. Bordeaux. Paris FC, where she scored 19 goals in 41 matches. She has 8 caps for France. She won a UEFA Women's U-19 Championship in 2019. She helped France reach the UEFA Women's Nations League championship. And now she's on the Season-Ending Injury list for 2026. Portland hasn't seen her play yet. Not really. The trade brought her in. The injury kept her out. This is the cruelest kind of sports story -- one that hasn't started yet.
Made in France
Dufour's career in French women's football spans eight seasons and three clubs. She started at Lille, moved to Bordeaux, then found her scoring boots at Paris FC -- 19 goals in 41 matches. Across all three clubs: 152 matches, 33 goals. That's consistent production over a long period in one of Europe's stronger leagues. She earned 8 caps for France along the way and was part of the team that reached the UEFA Women's Nations League championship. At youth level, she won the 2019 UEFA Women's U-19 Championship. The pedigree is real.
The Trade to Portland
Angel City sent her to Portland in August 2025 for $40,000 in allocation money and an international roster spot. That's the business side of professional sports -- sometimes you're currency. Dufour arrived in Portland with the expectation of contributing to a deep forward group. At 24, she should be entering her peak years. French technical quality in a Vilahamn system built on precise passing and movement. On paper, the fit is perfect.
The Wait
On the Season-Ending Injury list for 2026. The specific injury hasn't been publicly confirmed. What we know is that Portland fans will have to wait to see what Dufour can do. When she's healthy, the combination of French league experience, international caps, and her Paris FC scoring record suggests a player who can make an immediate impact. For now, it's patience.
Career Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Julie Dufour injured?
Yes. Dufour is on the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list and will miss the entire 2026 season. The specific injury has not been publicly confirmed.
Where did Julie Dufour play before Portland?
Eight seasons in France -- Lille, Bordeaux, and Paris FC (19 goals in 41 matches). Then Angel City FC in the NWSL before being traded to Portland in August 2025.
Does Julie Dufour play for the French national team?
Yes. She has 8 caps for France. She won the UEFA Women's U-19 Championship in 2019 and helped France reach the UEFA Women's Nations League championship.