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Thorns
Posted inSports

Mike Norris Out as Portland Thorns Coach in Staff Shakeup

Norris will become the club’s technical director; General Manager Karina LeBlanc promises “global search” for new head coach.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

Mike Norris is out as Portland Thorns head coach just four games into the 2024 NWSL season, the club announced on Tuesday.  Norris, who served just over a year as head coach, is being moved into a new role as the club’s technical director. Rob Gale, one of Norris’ assistants, will take over as interim […]

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Portland Thorns Fire Trainer, Assistant Coach Following Yet Another Investigation

Investigators recommended the staff members be placed on leave, but the team opted to fire them.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

The Portland Thorns fired their head athletic trainer and an assistant coach on Tuesday after a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) investigation found that both staff members engaged in inappropriate conduct last year.  Pierre Soubrier, the head athletic trainer, was investigated for providing medication containing codeine to players during the club’s playoff semifinal match against […]

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Merritt Paulson Will Sell Portland Thorns, Keep Timbers

The decision follows a year of mounting pressure to sell after abuse allegations.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

Merritt Paulson announced Thursday morning that he is selling the Portland Thorns, bringing to an end his stewardship of one of the country’s most successful women’s sports franchises in the aftermath of an abuse scandal that rocked the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Paulson’s impending sale of the Thorns, however, will not end his involvement […]

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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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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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Following Harassment Allegations, Thorns Fans Call for Merchandise Boycott and General Manager Resignation

Avatar photo Abe Asher

Portland Thorns on the field in 2019, backed by their supporters, the Rose City Riveters PORTLAND THORNS FC Portland Thorns and Timbers supporters are calling for a boycott of stadium concessions and club merchandise and the removal of Thorns general manager Gavin Wilkinson as the fallout from the Paul Riley abuse scandal continues. “Our hearts […]

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