Portland Thorns: An Offseason of Reckoning
Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Portland, OR (PSF) – 2023 is not starting out strong for the reigning NWSL Champion Portland Thorns. In fact, nothing seems to be going right. In early October 2022, an official investigative report about abuse in the NWSL was released, naming Portland as one of the biggest perpetrators. Since then, their owner Merritt Paulson has announced his intention to sell the team. Paulson is also the owner of Portland Timbers, an MLS team. However, he is not selling the men’s side. For the last two years, Thorns players have been tasked with cleaning up the NWSL, as reports of abuse and misconduct ran rampant. Fans hoped this would be the end of the negativity surrounding their club. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case.
It started in December, when head coach, Rhian Wilkinson announced her resignation. This came as a shock to most fans. Wilkinson had just led the team to win a championship in her first season. Her resignation after news of a friendship between her and a player had developed further. She and the player admitted their feelings for one another, but did not take the relationship any further and cut all non-work contact. Wilkinson self-reported to HR in mid-October, and an investigation ensued. The investigation decided that there was no violation of official League policies. However, by this point Wilkinson had lost the respect of the players, and they requested her resignation. They had learned of the investigation prior to its conclusion and Wilkinson’s admission to them. Thorns players were once again being asked to clean up the league.
Things only got worse on January 24th, when the Thorns fired two more members of their staff, assistant coach Sophie Clough and athletic trainer Pierre Soubrier. Clough was fired and suspended from the league for unwanted contact. A player reported feeling uncomfortable during the team’s championship celebration, when Clough kissed her on the neck. Following the substantiation of this report, Clough was fired and suspended from the League for the entire 2023 season. She can return in the future with the Commissioner’s approval.
Soubrier was accused of providing codeine to players on multiple occasions, despite it being a controlled substance requiring a prescription. Soubrier does not carry the proper certifications to prescribe it. This also included giving it to one player without her informed consent. Soubrier was reported by team doctor Breanne Brown in November and placed on paid leave in December. Following the substantiation of the claims, Soubrier was fired and suspended from the league for the 2023 season. His conduct was also reported to the Oregon Board of Athletic Trainers. He must get approval from them to practice again. There is also a chance that Soubrier could face legal repercussions should that route be pursued. Fans have had a strong reaction to this incident, as Soubrier is the husband of Thorns player, Crystal Dunn.
Yesterday, Heather Davis’s appointment to CEO was announced. Davis is the highest ranking official in Thorns’ history, but many are not thrilled by this choice. Prior to this promotion, Davis worked for the Thorns legal team. This implies that Davis was a part of the team that resisted and interfered with the Sally Yates investigation into misconduct. This interference is discussed in the Yates report. Davis will oversee the business operations of both the Portland Thorns and the MLS club Portland Timbers. It will be interesting to see how well she adapts to this role.
Thorns players have been through a lot in the last few years, as all NWSL players have. Hopefully, the rest of 2023 can be a period of growth and improvement, and the players can finally have a club that values and protects them, rather than perpetuating abuse.
Steve Dipaola / AP
