PORTLAND, Ore. (April 14, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today a series of updates regarding its 2026 technical staff.
Sarah Lowdon has been promoted to First Assistant Coach, which comes after her stint as the Thorns Interim Head Coach through the 2026 preseason. Lowdon was responsible for leading the Thorns in preparations for this year’s NWSL season and played a pivotal role in helping set up the Club’s strong start as the Thorns currently sit in second place with a 3W-1L-1D record. Lowdon has been with the Thorns since 2024.
Jen Lalor joins the Thorns as Assistant Coach, Individual Development. She arrives after a three-year stint with Gotham FC in which the team lifted NWSL Championships in 2023 and 2025. Lalor will oversee and track the development of individual players, working with the athletes to set tailored goals that align with team efforts.
About the Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
PORTLAND, Ore. (April 14, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today a series of updates regarding its 2026 technical staff.
Sarah Lowdon has been promoted to First Assistant Coach, which comes after her stint as the Thorns Interim Head Coach through the 2026 preseason. Lowdon was responsible for leading the Thorns in preparations for this year’s NWSL season and played a pivotal role in helping set up the Club’s strong start as the Thorns currently sit in second place with a 3W-1L-1D record. Lowdon has been with the Thorns since 2024.
Jen Lalor joins the Thorns as Assistant Coach, Individual Development. She arrives after a three-year stint with Gotham FC in which the team lifted NWSL Championships in 2023 and 2025. Lalor will oversee and track the development of individual players, working with the athletes to set tailored goals that align with team efforts.
About the Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
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