For rebuilding NWSL champ Portland, season kicks off in grand style
The Portland Thorns may have won the National Women's Soccer League title last season, but things were far from rosy in the Rose City.
The team succeeded despite off-the-field turmoil that included owner Merritt Paulson selling his stake in the team and president Gavin Wilkinson's ouster in the wake of an abuse investigation.
While fans of the Thorns stood by their team, one thing was certain: 2023 would be a rebuilding year.
"We weren't really sure how people were arriving," coach Mike Norris told the media recently. "There was a lot to acknowledge and address. The group, staff included, had some tough conversations. We put the soccer aside because it wasn't important. [It's] still a work in progress, and we're still going through a lot of events that happened."
Norris' belief that the team should shake off -- but never forget -- its shared trauma served to unite the Thorns and pushed them to a blowout early season victory. On Sunday, Portland easily defeated the Orlando Pride, 4-0.
This early confidence boost is priceless for the Thorns.
With the Women's World Cup kicking off at mid-season in July, new eyes will be on the league -- many focused on the defending champions.
The Thorns will play Kansas City (Saturday), Houston (April 14) and San Diego (April 19) before a crucial early-season meeting with Angel City FC on April 29.
With a fascinating squad composed of World Cup vets Crystal Dunn and Becky Sauerbrunn, as well as up-and-coming stars Sophia Smith and Olivia Moultrie, the Thorns are positioned to win them all.
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