Dig up your scarf. Rest your voice. Get excited. The 2017 NWSL season is almost upon us, and it opens this Saturday at noon with a (nationally televised!) Thorns home match against Orlando.
Last season was something of a breakout year for Portland, a team that's always excelled in terms of fan support and talent, but often struggled with consistency, especially when it came to getting results on the road. They picked up head coach Mark Parsons from the Washington Spirit, a manager with a clear vision for the team who excels in getting buy-in from his players.