For the first time since March 26, Mark Parsons spoke to the media on Monday, leaving two months of questions piled up about his team and the NWSL’s Covid-19 world. Yet thanks to the news of the previous five days, the Portland Thorns FC head coach was also some questions that bordered on normal. The main example: What will it be like to prepare for the North Carolina Courage?
It’s a refreshing if familiar reality for Parsons’ team, who Monday found out they will open their NWSL Challenge Cup on June 27 against the Courage. The Thorns will then play the Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit and OL Reign in the tournament’s preliminary round.