Title rematch no longer so distant for champion Thorns

BEAVERTON, Ore. – Thorns FC’s squad would be forgiven if, over the course of their month-long preseason, they started staring into the distance.

Preseason can feel long, after all, with the lack of competitive games providing few meaningful measuring sticks along the way. Exhibitions games help, as did the week the Thorns spent focused on their Spring Invitational Tournament presented by Tillamook Yogurt, but every preseason is really about one thing: building toward the regular season’s game one.

And the Thorns certainly have a big game one. After defeating North Carolina, 1-0, in last year’s NWSL Championship game, Portland is tasked with opening its title defense in the Courage’s backyard,…