Thorns feeling rejuvenated and ready for Chicago after break in schedule
Thorns coach Mark Parsons previews game against Chicago
Jamie Goldberg | The Oregonian/OregonLive
The Portland Thorns took advantage of a break in the National Women's Soccer League schedule last week to spend some extra time on the training pitch making adjustments as a team and working individually on specific positional skills.
The break in games couldn't have come at a better time for the Thorns.
Portland fell 4-1 in a discouraging loss to the North Carolina Courage at home in its most recent game on May 30. It was the most lopsided loss that the Thorns (4-4-3, 15 points) had suffered at Providence Park since 2014.
"The last game, we could all have been much better in that performance, including me," Thorns coach Mark Parsons said. "The players have responded tremendously well with the individual training, with the positional training and now as we shift gears toward preparing for Chicago."
With an extra week of training under their belts, the Thorns will now head to Chicago for a match against the Red Stars (3-3-6, 15 points) Saturday before heading on to Houston for a game against the Dash next week.
These next two games could be key for the Thorns.
After winning the NWSL Championship title last year, Portland has struggled to get going this season.
The Thorns, who are just one game away from the halfway mark of their season, currently sit in fourth place in the NWSL standings, tied on point total with the fifth-place Red Stars. The sixth-place Royals and seventh-place Dash sit only one point behind the Thorns. Portland's place in the standings could change significantly based on the next two matches.
"Every point matters," Thorns defender Emily Menges said. We just take it one game at a time. We can't look back on what we've not gotten. We just worry about going to Chicago and getting three points and then we'll worry about Houston."
The Thorns will be getting some reinforcements either in Chicago or Houston, but will also be without two more key players.
Adrianna Franch, Hayley Raso and Emily Sonnett are all nearing full health after missing time with injuries. All three players traveled with the club to Chicago. While Franch was still listed as out on the injury report the day before the match, Sonnett was only listed as questionable and Raso was not on the injury report, meaning she should be available for Saturday's game.
"The fact that we're taking all three is because we feel all of them can be available, worst-case, by Houston," Parsons said.
Portland has dealt with an onslaught of injuries this year, which has made it difficult for the club to find any consistency on the field. But the return of Franch, Raso and Sonnett could make a big difference for the Thorns.
Raso, who scored six goals in a breakout season in 2017, has yet to play a match this year due to a knee injury. Franch, who won the 2017 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Award, has missed eight games due to a knee injury as well. Sonnett has missed the last two matches with a back injury. In total, at least 10 Thorns have missed time due to injuries this year.
But the Thorns will also be without some big players Saturday. Star midfielder Tobin Heath and defender Midge Purce both suffered ankle sprains while away with the U.S. Women's National Team. The Thorns are currently evaluating Heath, but are hopeful that she will be out for only a short period. Purce will miss three weeks.
The Thorns will face a challenge in Chicago Saturday. The Red Stars have struggled this season and had gone seven-straight games without picking up a win until beating the Washington Spirit on June 2. But Chicago has arguably the best forward in the league in Sam Kerr, who won the 2017 NWSL MVP Award after setting a league record for goals scored with 17.
"They are a really dangerous team," Parsons said. "The results are important for both teams. It's a team that we are going to be fighting with for a home playoff and a playoff spot. So, this is a big one."
-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com
503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg