The Portland Thorns started their preseason off right on Sunday, securing a 2-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars in the 2019 Thorns Spring Invitational.
Although both sides were missing players, the match started out with lineups that looked close to their preferred XI. Through the first half of play the Thorns looked like the more match-ready side, effectively bottling up the Red Stars’ attacking chances before hitting out on the breakthrough their three-forward front. Despite the presence of 2018 Golden Boot winner Sam Kerr, the Thorns’ starters were largely the more dangerous looking group in the early going.