Portland Thorns Fire Rob Gale After Season in the NWSL

Rob Gale leaves the technical direction of the Portland Thorns

The Portland Thorns have decided to dispense with the services of Rob Gale as head coach, according to sources close to the team. Gale took over mid-season in the 2024 NWSL season, after a standout performance as interim coach. In the previous season, the Thorns finished in sixth position, being eliminated in the semi-finals by Gotham FC.

• Gotham FC won the NWSL championship after a series of key moments.
• Trinity Rodman expressed her feelings after the defeat in the NWSL final.

The current season was Gale’s only full season in charge of the team. The Thorns achieved third place in the league, with a record of 11 wins, 7 draws, and 8 losses, totaling 40 points. In the quarterfinals, they defeated the San Diego Wave, but fell to the Washington Spirit in the semi-final. The Portland team experienced a season with ups and downs, influenced by injuries and significant absences.

During the preseason, three potential starters suffered knee injuries that prevented them from playing for the rest of the year. In addition, star forward Sophia Wilson was out on maternity leave for the entire season. After the semi-final defeat on November 15th, captain Sam Coffey expressed her pride in the team and her desire to see greater consistency in the future.

I think the word that comes to mind is consistency,” Coffey said. “I think we are very capable of being electrifying, especially at home. I think we could be a little more solid away from home; I think that was demonstrated today in some ways.

Sam Coffey

Coffey added that the team has the talent to be more consistent and that they must commit to showing a better performance in each game.