The two things most likely to determine whether Portland Thorns FC will retain their NWSL title are how well they are playing two months from now and how that level compares to the currently league-leading North Carolina Courage.
That, in the broadest strokes, is the state of the National Women’s Soccer League, and right now, it’s that way for every team. Nothing’s going to matter this season unless you figure out a way to bridge the gap between yourselves and the Courage. And, if over the course of the next two months, you start bridging that gap, things like home field advantage, whether you can survive without it, or if you even make the playoffs will likely take care of themselves.