NWSL: Portland Thorns Make Coaching Hire
Amid a tumultuous offseason, the Portland Thorns have a new head coach.
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The 2022 NWSL champions announced that former assistant Mike Norris will be taking over the position recently left by Rhian Wilkinson.
Wilkinson resigned abruptly in December, after having lost the locker room due to a relationship with a player that went beyond friendship.
Norris originally joined the coaching staff under Wilkinson and was in charge of the team’s opponent scouting in 2022.
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Thorns GM Karina LeBlanc said player input was an important part of the hiring process.
“The big thing that stood out for us is thinking of player safety, getting that continuity from winning the championship last year,” she said Monday. “Mike was loved by the players, loved by the club.”
The Thorns are still for sale, in a split with both the Portland Timbers and embattled owner Merritt Paulson.
Meanwhile…
When faced with talent profiles that contrasted with team needs, many NWSL clubs went with the player they considered the best available.
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Seven of the first 12 picks in the first round also happened to be forwards.
Even with needs in defense and midfield, teams frequently went with goal-scoring ability over a specific positional focus.
Orlando, Portland and North Carolina were the only clubs to select defenders in the first round.
Also affecting team decisions is the upcoming World Cup period, when every team’s roster depth will be tested.
“You have to be really mindful to make sure you have strength in depth, especially in a World Cup year,” said San Diego Wave manager Casey Stoney.
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