It was probably the best start to a season since he’s been in Portland, Mark Parsons said on Wednesday. On his team’s final day in Orlando, Florida – where Portland has trained between games, this week – the Thorns FC boss took a final moment to reflect on a convincing Sunday opener. “Controlling,” he called it at the time, with Portland claiming a 2-0 result which, from the pressure they exerted in the match’s opening moments, never felt in serious doubt.
It’s unlikely that feeling will be replicated on Saturday. That’s when Portland will see a steep upgrade in competition, facing a Chicago Red Stars team that’s recognized as one of the three most talented in the National Women’s Soccer League (12:30pm PT, Yahoo!