This week, all the focus, outside of the Royals, of course, has been on the Portland Thorns. You might have heard of them. Boasting two NWSL Championships (2013, 2017) and an NWSL Shield (2016), the Thorns are the most accomplished team in the league. They’re also big in Portland, averaging 17,653 fans last season. Portland tends to be a preferred destination for a majority of soccer players, including attracting international stars from Europe and U.S. Women National Team stars. Basically, Portland is the team to beat.
Record: 2-1-1 (W-L-T)
Head coach: Mark Parsons, 3rd season
Home stadium: Providence Park
2018 season thus far
Portland entered the 2018 season as the defending NWSL Champions.