PORTLAND, Ore. – “Health and safety.” They’re not the first words out of Mark Parsons’ mouth when asked about expectations, but he’s built to them. It’s 2020, nothing is normal, so before he gives his real answer, he has to explain why: why the normal goal of “trophies” isn’t said first; why phrases like “only starting to develop” have entered Portland Thorns FC's lexicon; why “safety, mental and physical” are more than just the obvious subtext, right now.
He’s not ignoring wins. Fourteen hours before the bulk of his team departs for Utah, where the NWSL is staging a month-long, eight-team tournament, the Portland Thorns’ head coach is optimistic.