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Posted inThorns

Thorns, Timbers Management Fires President of Soccer Gavin Wilkinson and President of Business Mike Golub

Owner Merritt Paulson fired his top two executives after a report uncovered their role in enabling abuse against players
Avatar photo Abe Asher

The Portland Timbers and Thorns have fired President of Soccer Gavin Wilkinson and President of Business Mike Golub, the club announced in a press release on Tuesday morning.  Owner Merritt Paulson’s decision to fire his top two executives comes less than 24 hours after he announced that he, Wilkinson, and Golub would all temporarily step […]

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Thorns, Timbers Fan Groups Sever Ties With Club Management Over “Devastating” Report

Supporters say front office officials including owner Merritt Paulson misled and lied to them.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

When Tina Ettlin, a member of the Rose City Riveters steering committee, began reading the report on US Soccer’s independent investigation of abuse in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) on Monday, she was horrified.  The investigation, led by former US Attorney General Sally Yates, found that Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paulson and president of […]

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Portland Thorns Management Helped Enable and Perpetuate Abuse, According to Damning New Report

Owner Merritt Paulson and president of soccer Gavin Wilkinson have been called out for covering up former manager Paul Riley’s actions, protecting him, and impeding the investigation.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paulson and president of soccer Gavin Wilkinson enabled former Thorns manager Paul Riley’s abuse of their players and protected him in its aftermath, an independent yearlong investigation into alleged misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has found.  Top Thorns officials are also accused of attempting to impede the investigation […]

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Review: A New Documentary Shines Light on Abuse Within the Portland Thorns and Women’s Soccer

Truth Be Told–The Fight For Women’s Professional Soccer focuses on former Thorns coach Paul Riley and other scandals that rocked the league.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

A moment that fans of women’s soccer have been waiting months for is fast approaching: the release of ESPN’s Truth Be Told – The Fight For Women’s Professional Soccer.  It’s been an unexpectedly long wait to see the documentary, which offers a comprehensive look at the scandals that rocked the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) […]

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Madison Shanley Announces She Will No Longer Sing National Anthem For Timbers or Thorns

Avatar photo Abe Asher

Madison Shanley sings the national anthem before the Portland Timbers’ match against the LA Galaxy on April 3 at Providence Park. Kayla Marie Plummer When longtime Portland Timbers and Thorns national anthem singer Madison Shanley drove downtown to meet club front office officials on Wednesday, she did so in an attempt to rejuvenate her faith […]

Posted inSports

Thorns Fans Are Still Waiting For “Organizational Change” After Riley Scandal

Avatar photo Abe Asher

Portland Thorns fans during a May 2021 match. Steph Chambers / Getty Images Two-and-a-half years ago, the Portland Timbers were locked in a fight threatening their relationship with their most visible supporters: Major League Soccer had decided to ban supporters from displaying the antifascist Iron Front logo in stadiums, and supporters were irate. At one […]

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