The NWSL Championship game was held in Portland last week and saw defending champions FC Kansas City lift a second trophy following their 1-0 win over the Seattle Reign.
Rumors about who would take the helm of Portland’s team had already begun and the Thorns made it official Monday with the announcement that Mark Parsons will become the Thorns’ next head coach. Parsons took over as head coach of the Washington Spirit midway through the 2013 season and took the team into the playoffs in both 2014 and 2015, logging a 18-15-11 record over ’14 and ’15.
On Tuesday, the Thorns announced loans for five players:
Kendall Johnson (Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia)
Lianne Sandserson (Apollon Limassol, Cyprus)
Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane Roar, Australia)
Steph Catley (Melbourne City FC, Australia)
Mana Shim (Iga Kunoichi, Japan)
The Thorns had previously announced the loan of goalkeeper Michelle Betos to Australia’s Sydney FC. All six players are expected to rejoin the Thorns for the 2016 season.
