It’s back. The Portland Thorns kick off the their season away at the Orlando Pride on the opening weekend of the 2019 NWSL season. This trip kicks off a two week trip east for the Thorns: they’re flying directly from Orlando to Chicago for next week’s game against the Red Stars before returning home briefly to catch their breath before the next trip. With Providence Park not scheduled to be completed until June 1st, the Thorns have six away trips in total before they get the chance to have their home opener.
The Thorns opened the season away at North Carolina last year, but the opener against Orlando is almost a tradition: Portland hosted the Pride in the first game of the season in both 2016 and 2017.