BEAVERTON, Ore. – “We like our matchup against Chicago.” Tobin Heath wasn’t asked about the Red Stars, specifically, though she broke no news by conceding the obvious.
Portland Thorns FC are right to see positives in their 2019 NWSL Playoffs semifinal matchup. It’s been six years since the Red Stars, this year’s second seed in their league’s postseason, last defeated the Thorns, with allusions to their drought now taking on an apocryphal feel, as if from Ken Burns’ Civil War.
“My dearest Maggie,
“For six years we’ve been saddled with life’s enduring burden, and our company’s hopes of returning to the life we left fading have faded every battle …”
Ahead of Sunday’s kickoff at Bridgeview, Illinois’ SeatGeek Stadium (12:30pm PT, ESPN2), though, it’s worth asking how much of that burden endures.