PORTLAND, Ore. – Even if this wasn’t an Olympic year, it would be natural for Portland Thorns FC to reflect back on four years ago. Though few players will be thinking about 2016 as they, today, report to Providence Park for the first day of their new National Women’s Soccer League season, the subtext around the organization is entwined with the choices of then, and whether a similar choice will pay off now.
Back then, the Thorns were coming off their first season without postseason play. Thanks largely to the moves they made that offseason, 2015 still stands as the only time the team has missed the playoffs.