If Thorns FC is to return to the top step of the podium next season they will need to learn several lessons from the shutout loss to the North Carolina Courage in the Final.
Lesson One: “Forwards score!”
The 2018 Thorns relied heavily on their midfield - and of that midfield, three players - to produce goals. If the midfielders have to spend much of their game defending, or fighting through relentless defensive pressure to get forward - as they did in the Final - they need aggressive forwards creating space, occupying the defense, taking shots and giving the midfielders open shots themselves.