The Portland Thorns will open preseason training camp Monday as they begin their preparations for the 2019 NWSL season.

The Thorns are coming off a successful 2018 campaign where they made a run to the NWSL Championship Game before falling 3-0 to the North Carolina Courage. The Thorns finished second in the NWSL standings during the 2018 regular season, but didn’t come close to catching the Courage, who set an NWSL record with 57 regular season points. Portland lost to North Carolina four times in 2018.

Now, the Thorns will try to build on the positives of 2018 while aiming to put up a better challenge against the powerhouse Courage in 2019. Portland hasn’t made many roster moves following its run to the championship game last year, but will still face new challenges in 2019. With the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place this summer, the Thorns will have to overcome an extended stretch without their top national team players.

Ahead of the start of preseason training camp, the Oregonian/OregonLive is taking a look at 10 questions facing the Thorns in 2019.

Portland Thorns coach Mark Parsons stands on the field ahead of a match against the Seattle Reign in the 2018 National Women's Soccer League semifinal soccer match held at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, September 15, 2018.

Will the Thorns make additional roster moves ahead of the 2019 regular season?

The Thorns have had an incredibly quiet offseason so far. Following the 2018 season, the club picked up contract options or extended new offers to every player on the roster that wasn’t already under contract for 2019, except for Meg Morris, who retired. Since the end of the 2018 season, the Thorns have made just one new signing, bringing back former midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir. Portland also drafted one player in the 2018 NWSL College Draft in Emily Ogle. Ogle will compete for a roster spot in preseason. The Thorns already have a strong roster and proved last season that they were capable of vying for a top spot in the NWSL. Still, Portland struggled to compete with the eventual NWSL Champions, the North Carolina Courage, and it is unclear whether the club has done enough to put itself in a better position to vie for the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship title this year. The Thorns still have time to make some key roster moves ahead of the regular season. Thorns coach Mark Parsons previously said that the club was in talks with several big-time players. But whether any of those potential signings ultimately pan out remains to be seen.

Amandine Henry (28). The Portland Thorns faced off against the North Carolina Courage in the National Women's Soccer League Championship Game played at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Florida on October 14, 2017. Preston Mack, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive LC-LC-

Will the Thorns sign another central midfielder?

If the Thorns do make another key signing ahead of the season, the move is likely to come in central midfield. Sources told The Athletic in January that the Thorns were looking to acquire a world-class international at the No. 6 position. The Thorns have been missing a top-notch No. 6 ever since French midfielder Amandine Henry left the club following the 2017 season. Portland brought in Brazilian midfielder Andressinha ahead of the 2018 season to slot into the lineup for the departing Henry. But Andressinha’s style of play didn’t quite fit with Portland’s system. By the end of the season, Celeste Boureille had claimed the open starting role in central midfield. The Thorns extended a new contract offer to Andressinha following the 2018 season, but it is unclear where the Brazilian midfielder would fit into the depth chart if she were to return to the club. Given their current roster options, the Thorns are certainly in a position to benefit from the signing of a new top-notch No. 6 in the midfield.

Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (7). The Portland Thorns host the Seattle Reign in the 2018 National Women's Soccer League semifinal soccer match held at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, September 15, 2018. Photo by Rockne Roll, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive

Do the Thorns have enough depth to survive absences during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup?

The NWSL is taking just one weekend off this season to accommodate the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will force clubs throughout the league to survive without their national team stars for a significant portion of the 24-game schedule. The Thorns currently have nine players on their 23-player roster that are likely to go to the World Cup this summer. Portland struggled during the last Women’s World Cup in 2015, missing playoffs for the only time in club history. While the Thorns appear better equipped to deal with the absences this time around, it will still be a challenge for the club to pick up points in the middle of the season without its national team stars. Forward Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic and midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir both could be called upon to play key roles for the Thorns during the World Cup. Crnogorcevic tallied five goals and three assists during her first season with the Thorns in 2018. She could be asked to carry the attack while Portland’s other top attacking players are away at the World Cup. Brynjarsdottir could also play an important role in the attack. She made 31 appearances (16 starts) for Portland from 2016-17, tallying five goals and two assists during that time. Brynjarsdottir is rejoining the Thorns after the birth of her son.

Caitlin Foord (9) battles Jaelene Hinkle (15). The Portland Thorns battled the North Carolina Courage in the National Women's Soccer League Championship Game held at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon on September 22, 2018. Photo by Adam Lapierre, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive

How will Caitlin Foord perform in her second season with the Thorns?

Caitlin Foord signed with the Thorns ahead of the club’s 2018 campaign, but missed the majority of the season after undergoing foot surgery last February. Foord returned to the field late in the year and went on to make eight appearances for the Thorns. While she showed well in moments on the field, the forward didn’t tally a single goal or assist for Portland last year. Now healthy, Foord has a chance to play a much more important role in the attack this season. Foord spent the offseason competing in the Australian W-League where she excelled in the attack for Sydney FC. Foord recorded a hat trick during a match in December. She also played a key role in leading Sydney to the W-League championship title. Foord now has the opportunity to build on her big W-League season and prove that she can be a dangerous goal scoring threat in Portland. The 24-year-old will miss a significant portion of the season while representing Australia at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but could be a vital piece of Portland’s attack when she is not on international duty.

PORTLAND -- July 30, 2016 -- Portland Thorns FC midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir takes a crack at the goal during a National Women's Soccer League match on Saturday at Providence Park. Billy Gates/Staff LC- StaffLC- Staff

What role will Dagny Brynjarsdottir play?

Dagny Brynjarsdottir was an important piece for the Thorns during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. She made 31 appearances (16 starts) during that time, tallying five goals and two assists. The Thorns had hoped to bring Brynjarsdottir back for the 2018 season, but the 27-year-old stepped away from the game for a year due to pregnancy. Now, Brynjarsdottir is back with the Thorns and in a position to play a big role this season, especially during the World Cup when the club will be missing other key players. Brynjarsdottir competes for the Iceland Women’s National Team, which did not earn a berth to the World Cup this year. Brynjarsdottir is a versatile player that can step into a role in the midfield, on the wing and at outside back. Still, it is unclear whether Brynjarsdottir will be able to get back to top form this season after giving birth just last year. If Brynjarsdottir can contribute like she did in her first two years with the Thorns, she could be a critical player for the club this season.

The Thorns’ Lindsey Horan, right, celebrates her second-half header that went off both posts before going in for the game-winning goal Saturday in Portland against Seattle. Rockne Roll

Can Lindsey Horan build on her MVP season?

Lindsey Horan is coming off a tremendous 2018 season. The midfielder finished third in the NWSL with 13 goals and also added two assists in 22 starts last year en route to winning the 2018 NWSL MVP Award. She also led the league in touches (1,852), duels won (297), aerial duels won (141) and successful passes in the opponent’s half (493). Horan ranked among the league leaders in successful passes ending in the final third (252) and dribbles completed (44) as well. The Thorns likely would not have made a run to the championship game last year if it weren’t for Horan. The club will be equally dependent on their star midfielder again this year. The 24-year-old is expected to miss a significant portion of the season while representing the U.S. Women’s National Team at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Still, Horan could give the Thorns a huge boost when she returns from the World Cup late in the season. If Horan can build on her MVP campaign, she will once again be Portland’s most influential player.

The Portland Thorns selected Emily Ogle out of Penn State University with the No. 24 pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

Will any of Portland’s draft picks contribute this season?

The Thorns selected midfielder Emily Ogle out of Penn State University with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft. Portland’s 2018 draft picks -- Sandra Yu and Gabby Seiler -- are also expected to join the club in preseason after being unable to compete for spots last year due to injuries and room on the roster. All three players will have the chance to vie for roster spots in the coming weeks. The NWSL announced in the offseason that it was increasing its maximum roster size to 22 players and also giving teams the option to sign four additional players to their supplemental rosters. Players on the supplemental roster will make the league minimum. The added roster space will give Portland’s three draft picks a better chance of competing for spots within the team this year. The draft picks also have a unique opportunity to potential earn significant minutes this season as the Thorns deal with absences during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Thorns coach Mark Parsons has spoken highly of Seiler, Yu and Ogle. Now, it’s up to the three players to fight their way onto the roster and prove that they can contribute in the Thorns environment. If the three players live up to expectations, they could potentially provide important depth for Portland this year.

Construction at Providence Park remained ongoing as of November 26, 2018. The Portland Timbers hope their stadium expansion project will be completed by May or June 2019.

How will construction at Providence Park impact Portland’s season?

The Thorns will play their first six games on the road in 2019 due to stadium construction at Providence Park. Portland didn’t miss a beat on the road in 2018, posting a 6-3-3 record both at home and on the road. But opening the season on the road won’t be easy for the Thorns. As one of just two teams in the league based on the West Coast, the Thorns face an added challenge when it comes to traveling for road games. By the time the Thorns return home in June, their national team players will have departed for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup as well. Still, the strange schedule could be a benefit for Portland late in the year. If the Thorns can tread water early in the season and keep pace during the World Cup, the club will have a big opportunity to pick up points late in the year. Portland will conclude its regular season campaign by playing eight of its final 11 games at home.

Thorns players thank the fans at Providence Park after their 3-0 loss to North Carolina on Saturday in the NWSL championship game.

Will the Thorns reclaim their dominance at home?

The Thorns lost just two games at Providence Park over two years from 2016-17, but the club couldn’t match that dominance at home last season. Portland went just 6-3-3 at Providence Park in 2018. This season, the Thorns will have to deal with a long stretch on the road to open the season and the absence of their top national team stars in the middle of the year due to the Women’s World Cup. While those challenges could make it difficult for Portland to pick up a substantial number of points early in the year, the Thorns have the opportunity to win a lot of games late in the season -- if they can get the job done at home. Portland finishes the regular season with eight of their final 11 games at Providence Park. The Thorns are the most well-supported team in the NWSL and the atmosphere at Providence Park should always give them a boost. It will be as important as ever for the Thorns to take advantage of that home atmosphere and pick up points at home late in the season.

Courage players celebrate their NWSL title win. The Portland Thorns battled the North Carolina Courage in the National Women's Soccer League Championship Game held at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon on September 22, 2018. Photo by Adam Lapierre, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive

Can the Thorns beat the North Carolina Courage?

The Thorns and the Courage have vied for supremacy in the NWSL over the last three years. The Courage won the 2016 and 2018 NWSL Championship titles and the 2017 NWSL Shield, while the Thorns claimed the 2016 NWSL Shield and 2017 NWSL Championship title. But the Thorns couldn’t keep pace with the Courage in 2018. Portland beat every other team in the NWSL last season, except North Carolina. The Courage won the NWSL Shield with a league-record 57 points in the regular season last year, while the Thorns finished second in the NWSL with just 42 points. Both North Carolina and Portland kept their rosters mostly intact in the offseason. Whether that was the right move for the Thorns remains to be seen. With close to the same roster as last season, the Thorns will have to figure out how to get better results against the Courage this year if they hope to have a chance to claim the NWSL Championship title.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.