Season Preview: The Thorns are Looking Sharp

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

By J.R. Taylor, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Portland Thorns

Portland Thorn fans at Providence Park

The pre-season has come to an end, and it's time to blow the whistle for a 3rd season of Thorns mania. After a successful 3-0 pre-season start, Portland's beloved women's soccer squad is ready for primetime. They open Saturday, April 11th against the Boston Breakers in Portland's sacred Providence Park. Last season the Thorns finished with only 10 total wins, six draws, and nine losses. A sub-average record tally actually took the team to the NWSL semifinal playoff game where they fell 2-0 to FC Kansas City.

Moreover, things are looking up for the Thorns with the recent addition of some new talent. Forward, Jodie Taylor returns to Oregon after playing for OSU where she graduated in 2007. Taylor left to extend her career in Australia, Canada, and the U.K. The Thorns could not have chosen a better forward to add to this team. Taylor set school records at OSU with 47 goals, 113 points, and was named a Pac-10 all-star four different times. She will be a great addition to the front line, and will only increase the threat that Portland's strikers have proven to be.

Also, former portland-native, Kendall Johnson, has been added to the team. Johnson attended Lincoln High School just across the street from Providence Park. At Lincoln Johnson won two back-to-back state title's, and was named the 2008 Gatorade player of the year. She went on to play for the University of Portland just across the bridge. Needless to say, Johnson has had quite the impact on the city of Portland. After playing in New Jersey for Sky Blue FC, Johnson was invited in January to join the Thorn's. Johnson has said she is happy to be back, and can't wait to start playing in her hometown.

Last week, three of Portland's finest talent were invited by the US national team for training camp. Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath, and Rachel Van Hollebeke were selected to represent the country from the 23rd through the 30th of March. Our Charlie's Angels will soon be off to St. Louis in preparation to play April 4th against New Zealand. This is nothing new for Thorns superstar, Alex Morgan, but for Van Hollebeke, she's just getting her feet wet for the first time.

As for the upcoming season, Portland approaches week one with a 5th place standing in the NWSL. Their first league matchup, the Boston Breakers, hold the number one spot in the NWSL. The Thorn's have their work cut out for them to start, but with the recent additions in their front line and midfield, the girls are expected to hit a stride to kick off the season.

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