As the 2022 season quickly approaches, let's take a look back at the 2021 Thorns FC season.
When preseason began, the expectations where high. The team had one goal and one goal only, to win trophies. With new addition Crystal Dunn joining the squad and Angela Salem set to have a MVP-caliber season, the goal was not out of reach.
The first stop on the journey was the NWSL Challenge Cup. The Thorns defeated Gotham FC in the May 8th final to claim the first trophy of the season.
After the Challenge Cup, the NWSL regular season kicked off. Sophia Smith scored early against the Red Stars on May 16th
On June 5th against Racing Lousiville, although capacity was still limited, the supporters made their voices heard.
July 18th, Marissa Everett scored to help the Thorns get a 2-1 result over Orlando
Thorns head coach Mark Parsons announced earlier in the season that he would be departing at the end to take a new position as head coach of The Netherlands Women's National Team. On August 1st, his daughter, Edie, said her last goodbyes in front of the Rose City Riveters.
August 18th, the Thorns would start the quest for trophy number two in the Women's International Champions Cup. A PK shootout and some clutch goalkeeping from Shelby Hogan punched the ticket to the final.
The Thorns would defeat Olympique Lyon 1-0 and add another piece of silverware to the trophy case at Providence Park.
The Thorns would continue to dominate in the regular season and bring home the NWSL Supporters Shield on October 30th.
One theme of 2021 was the passionate pregame huddle speeches from Meghan Klingenberg.
While the team wasn't able to secure the final trophy of the year, the season was still a huge success.
Mark Parsons departed, leaving a cabinet full of hardware as new GM Karina LeBlanc and head coach Rhian Wilkinson took over.
At the end of the year, we shot the standard team photo. But this team always makes everything fun, and I am sure that will carry into 2022 as well.
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