PORTLAND, Ore. — With U.S. Soccer and the Canadian federation finalizing their rosters for next month’s women’s Olympic soccer tournament, Portland Thorns FC have learned the number of players they’ll be losing to the Tokyo games. From after Saturday’s game at the North Carolina Courage through potentially the middle of August, Portland will be without five starters. Forward Christine Sinclair will captain Canada at her fourth Olympics, while midfielder Crystal Dunn, goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, midfielder Lindsey Horan and defender Becky Sauerbrunn will represent the United States in Japan.
But to only look at today’s announcement through the Thorns lens would miss the Olympics’ importance.