If you spot me this week and I've got an extra spring in my step, well, part of it is the weather. But I'd be whistling and skipping regardless: this weekend, Portland hosts the first leg of the NWSL's only real rivalry match against the gutless fish from the north.
As reported earlier this week, the Thorns will still have some holes in their best XI, most notably a Tobin Heath-shaped one on the left wing. Katherine Reynolds is also still out, reportedly, for another two to three weeks, as are Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Mana Shim. Meghan Klingenberg, however, is expected to play.