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Portland Thorns FC has announced the permanent appointment of Rob Gale as Portland Thorns FC Head Coach, effective immediately.
Gale was named the Club’s interim head coach in April of this year, following a series of organizational changes which saw Mike Norris’ named the Club’s first-ever Technical Director. As interim head coach, Gale led the Thorns to six-consecutive wins, setting a league record for most wins to start a head coach’s tenure throughout the 12-year history of the National Women’s Soccer League.
“At the beginning of this process we indicated our intention to embark on a global search for the right person to lead this historic club as our next head coach. I am pleased to share that after a long, extensive and thorough process we have come to the conclusion of our coaching search,” LeBlanc said. “Since taking over in the interim Rob has proven himself to be the right choice to serve as our club’s head coach. I believe that Rob epitomizes what it means to be a Portland Thorn. His enthusiasm, joy, and fun-loving spirit is evident in everything he does and we are confident that this will drive our continued pursuit of success. His vision for the future of the Portland Thorns perfectly aligns with our club’s values and aspirations. We are honored to have him at the helm as we begin this next chapter, and I am very much looking forward to working together to create a bright future for this club, its players, supporters, fans and community.”
Gale has amassed an 8-2-2 (W-L-D) record, across all competitions, as head coach of the Thorns. Under his leadership, the Thorns have scored 20 goals, from nine different goal scorers, while only allowing 10 goals scored against. Throughout the 12 games with Gale at the helm, the Thorns have recorded a league-leading seven shutouts.
“I am very proud, honored and humbled to be the Head Coach of the Portland Thorns, a club that has set the standard on the field in North America and has fans that are unmatched worldwide,” Gale said. “I would like to thank the Bhathal family for their faith in me, as well as all the staff who in such a short space of time have worked so tirelessly to create history together. They have not only welcomed me over this past year, but helped my family and I through some tough times personally. To the Thorns fans who have embraced me since my first game, I can promise you we will give it our all, on and off the field, to earn your love for our team, our club and our city. It is a privilege to work for you and to be a part of your family. Together there are no limits to what we can achieve.”
The new gaffer, born in Zambia to English parents, also made league history as the first Zambian-born individual to ever coach an NWSL team and consequently win a league match.
Gale first joined the Portland Thorns prior to the start of the 2023 season as an assistant coach, helping lead the team to a second-place finish in the regular season and a semifinal berth on the 2023 NWSL Playoffs.
Prior to his time in Portland, Gale was part of the New York City FC Academy and the General Manager and Head Coach for Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League.
Additionally, Gale has spent extensive time working within the ranks of the Canada National Teams, leading nearly every age group in the youth system, most recently serving as the Head Coach for the U-20 Canada National Team. As part of the Canada National Team system, Gale has coached some of the nation’s brightest stars, including Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller.
The Portland Thorns are set to begin the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League Summer Cup on Sunday, July 21 against Club Tijuana at Providence Park. The Thorns will return to regular season play following the completion of the Summer Olympics, in August. Tickets are available at www.thorns.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (Saturday, August 15, 2026) – The Portland Thorns continued their impressive home form with a 2-1 win over Orlando Pride on Saturday when forward Caiya Hanks — who was making her return to the pitch after missing action for over a year with an ACL injury — scored a stoppage time winner to secure three points for the home side.
Both sides battled back and forth as they tried to search for the opening goal, with Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold making three saves to ensure the match remained level going into the halftime break.
The Thorns came out into the second half much more threatening in Orlando’s half and finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when forward Pietra Tordin laid the ball off to forward Deyna Castellanos, who from the top right corner of Orlando’s box placed the ball perfectly into the top left corner of the goal over the hands of Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.
The lead was short lived however when Arnold’s diving save to punch out a crossed ball in the 63rd minute ricocheted off the knees of Orlando forward Jacqueline Ovalle and rolled into the net to level things back up.
From there, Portland and Orlando continued in their fight to search for a second and despite several good looks at goal, the match remained level.
That would all change after Hanks — who subbed on in the 88th minute — curled the ball into the goal from outside the box in the 96th to send Providence Park into a frenzy as the Thorns secured three points and extended its home unbeaten streak to 12 matches, nine on the season.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns host Denver Summit FC for the first time at Providence Park on Saturday, August 22. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:45 pm PT on ION and 910 ESPN Portland. Purchase tickets for the match HERE.
TEAM NOTES
GOAL BREAKDOWN
First Half
N/A
Second Half
POR – Deyna Castellanos (Pietra Tordin) 58’
ORL – Jacqueline Ovalle 63’
POR – Caiya Hanks (M.A. Vignola) 90+6’
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-2-3-1): Mackenzie Arnold (GK), M.A. Vignola, Jayden Perry, Isabella Obaze (Sam Hiatt 78’), Carolyn Calzada, Jessie Fleming-C, Nina Nijstad (Cassandra Bogere 85’), Pietra Tordin (Caiya Hanks 88’), Deyna Castellanos (Renee Lyles 78’), Marie Müller (Morgan Weaver 67’), Sophia Wilson
Subs not used: Morgan Messner (GK), Reyna Reyes, Shae Harvey, Mallie McKenzie
Orlando Pride (4-4-2): Anna Moorhouse (GK), Hailie Mace (Gabi Nunes 90+8’), Rafaelle (Zoe Matthews 89’), Cori Dyke, Oihane Hernández (Zara Chavoshi 76’), Solai Washington, Ally Lemos, Haley McCutcheon-C, Julie Doyle (Summer Yates 65’), Jacqueline Ovalle, Barbra Banda (Angelina 65’)
Subs not used: Cara Martin (GK), Cossette Morche, Luana, Nicole Payne
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: N/A
ORL: Jacqueline Ovalle (Yellow) 40’, Julie Doyle (Yellow) 52’, Rafaelle (Yellow) 85’
MATCH STATS
POR | ORL
Goals: 2|1
Assists: 2|0
Possession: 51|49
Shots: 10|12
Shots on Target: 4|6
Saves: 5|2
Tackles: 16|16
Tackles Won: 9|11
Interceptions: 14|26
Fouls: 7|6
Offsides: 0|1
Corner Kicks: 0|6
ATTENDANCE: 19,106
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant Referee 1: Katarzyna Wasiak
Assistant Referee 2: Sarah Gaddes
4th Official: Justin St. Pierre
VAR: Danielle Chesky
Assistant VAR: Seun Yinka-Kehinde
Portland Thorns FC has announced the permanent appointment of Rob Gale as Portland Thorns FC Head Coach, effective immediately.
Gale was named the Club’s interim head coach in April of this year, following a series of organizational changes which saw Mike Norris’ named the Club’s first-ever Technical Director. As interim head coach, Gale led the Thorns to six-consecutive wins, setting a league record for most wins to start a head coach’s tenure throughout the 12-year history of the National Women’s Soccer League.
“At the beginning of this process we indicated our intention to embark on a global search for the right person to lead this historic club as our next head coach. I am pleased to share that after a long, extensive and thorough process we have come to the conclusion of our coaching search,” LeBlanc said. “Since taking over in the interim Rob has proven himself to be the right choice to serve as our club’s head coach. I believe that Rob epitomizes what it means to be a Portland Thorn. His enthusiasm, joy, and fun-loving spirit is evident in everything he does and we are confident that this will drive our continued pursuit of success. His vision for the future of the Portland Thorns perfectly aligns with our club’s values and aspirations. We are honored to have him at the helm as we begin this next chapter, and I am very much looking forward to working together to create a bright future for this club, its players, supporters, fans and community.”
Gale has amassed an 8-2-2 (W-L-D) record, across all competitions, as head coach of the Thorns. Under his leadership, the Thorns have scored 20 goals, from nine different goal scorers, while only allowing 10 goals scored against. Throughout the 12 games with Gale at the helm, the Thorns have recorded a league-leading seven shutouts.
“I am very proud, honored and humbled to be the Head Coach of the Portland Thorns, a club that has set the standard on the field in North America and has fans that are unmatched worldwide,” Gale said. “I would like to thank the Bhathal family for their faith in me, as well as all the staff who in such a short space of time have worked so tirelessly to create history together. They have not only welcomed me over this past year, but helped my family and I through some tough times personally. To the Thorns fans who have embraced me since my first game, I can promise you we will give it our all, on and off the field, to earn your love for our team, our club and our city. It is a privilege to work for you and to be a part of your family. Together there are no limits to what we can achieve.”
The new gaffer, born in Zambia to English parents, also made league history as the first Zambian-born individual to ever coach an NWSL team and consequently win a league match.
Gale first joined the Portland Thorns prior to the start of the 2023 season as an assistant coach, helping lead the team to a second-place finish in the regular season and a semifinal berth on the 2023 NWSL Playoffs.
Prior to his time in Portland, Gale was part of the New York City FC Academy and the General Manager and Head Coach for Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League.
Additionally, Gale has spent extensive time working within the ranks of the Canada National Teams, leading nearly every age group in the youth system, most recently serving as the Head Coach for the U-20 Canada National Team. As part of the Canada National Team system, Gale has coached some of the nation’s brightest stars, including Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller.
The Portland Thorns are set to begin the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League Summer Cup on Sunday, July 21 against Club Tijuana at Providence Park. The Thorns will return to regular season play following the completion of the Summer Olympics, in August. Tickets are available at www.thorns.com.
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