The first word that should have come to mind for Portland Thorns FC fans when, two days ago, the Washington Spirit parted ways with then-head coach Jim Gabarra was “uncertainty.” That’s because, over the course of the season’s previous 21 games, the Spirit had established their tendencies. Teams knew the formations they liked, where they wanted to deploy their talent, and all the strengths and weaknesses those choices entailed.
Washington was a known commodity, albeit one that had only scored one goal in eight games; one that had not won a match since March. That’s has to be why the organization made their change, but in doing so, they injected a series of doubts into the Thorns coaching staff, who now have to prepare for a Spirit side engaging a new start.