PORTLAND, Ore. (November 25, 2025) – Portland Thorns today announced that the club and Head Coach Rob Gale have agreed to part ways. Assistant Coach Sarah Lowdon will serve as interim head coach.
“We are grateful to Rob for his dedication to the Thorns and the positive influence he has had on our players and staff,” said Thorns General Manager Jeff Agoos. “We thank Rob for his contributions and wish him the best in his next endeavor.”
Gale joined the Thorns midway through the 2023 season as an assistant coach before taking over the head coach duties in 2024. Across all competitions, Gale departs Portland with a record of 28W-21L-10D, leading the club to back-to-back playoff appearances.
Also departing the club is First Assistant Coach Adam Day.
Lowdon has served as an assistant coach with the Thorns since 2023, contributing to player development, match preparation, and technical direction. She previously held coaching roles with the Houston Dash and U.S. Youth National Teams and holds U.S. Soccer coaching licenses.
A comprehensive search for the next permanent head coach will begin immediately.
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for nine seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record with 25,218 fans supporting the Thorns in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park. The Thorns have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.
PORTLAND, Ore. (November 25, 2025) – Portland Thorns today announced that the club and Head Coach Rob Gale have agreed to part ways. Assistant Coach Sarah Lowdon will serve as interim head coach.
“We are grateful to Rob for his dedication to the Thorns and the positive influence he has had on our players and staff,” said Thorns General Manager Jeff Agoos. “We thank Rob for his contributions and wish him the best in his next endeavor.”
Gale joined the Thorns midway through the 2023 season as an assistant coach before taking over the head coach duties in 2024. Across all competitions, Gale departs Portland with a record of 28W-21L-10D, leading the club to back-to-back playoff appearances.
Also departing the club is First Assistant Coach Adam Day.
Lowdon has served as an assistant coach with the Thorns since 2023, contributing to player development, match preparation, and technical direction. She previously held coaching roles with the Houston Dash and U.S. Youth National Teams and holds U.S. Soccer coaching licenses.
A comprehensive search for the next permanent head coach will begin immediately.
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for nine seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record with 25,218 fans supporting the Thorns in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park. The Thorns have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.
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