A whopping 16,931 fans showed up at Providence Park to watch the Thorns show everyone why they belong at the top of the league.

Because the Thorns are a pretty good bunch o’ gals that really play with heart?

INCORRECT

Because the Thorns really give 110%?

110% ISN’T EVEN A REAL AMOUNT OF PERCENT, PUT YOUR HAND DOWN- LET SOMEONE ELSE TRY

Because this is a group of incredible, professional athletes and by way of brilliant planning, recruiting, decades of training and experience, they have come together in this adorable and delighted city to share their talent and dominance.

YOU ARE CORRECT!

After 10 games this season, the Thorns remain undefeated. Sure, there is a lot more soccer to be played this year for the Thorns (10 more games to be precise), but excuse me while I do fan kicks over the Burnside Bridge in acknowledgement and praise of their sweat filled work, which ended in a 2-0 win over the Chicago Red Stars!

Chirstine Sinclair scored within the first six minutes of the game after Chicago’s defender Julie Johnston lost track of the ball inside the box. Here's how Sinclair described it at the press conference after the match: “I don’t know exactly what happened—ball over the top, or cross—and [Chicago defender] Julie [Johnston] just took a touch. I don’t think she thought I was there. She sort of just dribbled right into me and I was just like, ‘thank you’ [laughs].”

Sinclair also mentioned that she didn’t really say “Thank you.”

BECAUSE SHE IS A LADY. A PROFESSIONAL CANADIAN LADY

Later in the first half, after 25 minutes of play, the Thorns scored again after Heath fed a corner kick right where Thorn’s midfielder Amandine Henry’s head could find it, and finally Nadia Nadim could finish it.

NO SOLICITING

Early in the season Michelle Betos suffered an injury that kept her from training and playing for several weeks. Through that injury and healing process, Thorn fans had an opportunity to watch one of my new make-believe best friends, Adrianna Franch. Betos returned to the pitch back in May when we played Seattle Reign and there was something about her play that evening that didn't seem quite ready. She took a couple of hits in that game that left her wincing. Betos was back again last night and got the start. And if anyone was wondering if Betos was healthy, fit and capable of 90 minutes of relentless soccer—LET TONIGHT’S SHOW OF FORCE BE A TESTAMENT TO HER READINESS.

The Red Stars knocked again and again, asking for a goal—begging for points—but Betos keep slamming the door in their faces. SORRY CHICAGO, NOT INTERESTED

Yes, there were some very close calls—like when Betos accidently cold cocked Julie Johnston while punching a corner kick away. SORRY, WE BOUGHT AT THE OFFICE

And, yes, there was at least one “Holy Crap. How did that not go in?” moment—like the one that Chicago’s forward Sofia Huerta nearly made when Betos stepped far off her line. I ALREADY VOTED, GO AWAY

Betos played strong and, together with Klingenberg, managed that field like a couple of Frauleins keeping the Von Trapps in order. A DROP KICK OF GOLDEN SUN!

BONJOUR JE M’APPELLE, BAD ASS

Could this team be any more diverse?

NOT LIKELY WITHOUT A DECK OF GREEN CARDS

At one point the Afghanistan–born Danish player scored off her French teammate’s header, that which was later subbed out in the 64th minute to allow the Icelandic player in.

GET OUT THE MAP CARMAN SAN DIEGO!

Portland most recently welcomed midfielder Amandine Henry from Lille, France and tonight against the Red Stars, she got her first start. This lady has got skill, experience, speed, and gut. She’s a real A+ 100, if you know what I mean... AND I THINK THAT YOU DO. Last year, at a little tournament called “The 2015 FIFA World Cup” (heard of it?) she won the Silver Ball. Please do not make me explain what the Silver Ball is. If you need to Google it, please do so with great care and consider doing that search in private... if you know what I mean—AND I THINK THAT YOU DO.

Henry is a great asset to an already stunning lineup and even with only one week of training with the team, the flow and harmony was obviously there. MOTOWN PHILLY HARMONY—if you know what I mean... AND I THINK THAT YOU DO.

Here’s what Coach Parsons said about getting Henry to Portland and that transition for her: “When we got Amandine involved, you saw her class, and she also does the horrible stuff, the physical work. It was a luxury at the end to be able to get her out. This has been a fast transition for her, a lot of travel, and every second she’s not training she’s adjusting to the city and getting things in her apartment and taking care of life.”

It’s players with the caliber and talent like Henry coming to play in the US that are going to truly blast this league into the next dimension. Again, Coach Parsons: “The thing with Amandine that is different is that she’s at the top of her game. She’s at her peak. She’s only 26, and she’s got so much more to come. And, when you listen to her talk, she wants to come here because she thinks it’s going to challenge her in a way she hasn’t been challenged before and because of that she’ll be able to grow and learn. So, while we’re all so happy to have this great person and great player, she’s super happy to be here.”

The Thorns looked really good tonight and now sit at the head of the table with the number one spot in the league. THERE IS NO STOPPING US

Wait... except for this pesky thing called the 2016 Olympics. The Olympics that will strip away seven of our magical players. Wait, we have to share Sinclair... with Canada... AGAIN? Ugh.

Let’s not look that far ahead just yet. Let’s instead focus on the task at hand—a 2 pm Sunday match against the Orlando Pride in Orlando. You didn’t think we would actually play two home games in a row did you?

Watch the game here

Follow me on twitter and let me know if you have a favorite Thorns player!
-Erin Jean O'Regan
@erinjeanius