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Published on July 20, 2024
Rob Gale Promoted to Head Coach as Portland Thorns Celebrate Historic Winning StreakSource: Wikipedia/Hameltion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Portland Thorns FC has officially ended their hunt for a head coach, as they elevated interim boss Rob Gale to full-time duties, a decision announced with a universal sense of rightness on Friday, news sources reported. Gale, who has been steering the ship as an interim figure since April, has now been handed the helm following a historic start that saw him orchestrate a six-game winning streak during his tenure, according to KGW.

During Gale’s interim period, the Thorns flourished, churning out a club record six-game win streak while Mike Norris, the previous head coach, transitioned to a newly minted role as technical director where player development and talent acquisition would fall under his purview in the announcement that came inbound like a perfectly matched transfer pass, KATU reports. Gale's expertise was not plucked from thin air; prior to his success with the Thorns, he served as an assistant under Norris and honed his skills in the youth coaching ranks with New York City Football Club.

The relationship between Gale and the club, aptly described as a bond emblematic of growth and understanding, appears as strong as the sport's competitive spirit, "He stayed consistent. He’s a leader, a leader, he’s a motivator, but most importantly, he really understands what it means to be part of this club," General Manager Karina LeBlanc told KATU. His commanding start with the club ushered in eight wins, two draws, and a mere two losses, propelling Portland into a promising fifth position in the NWSL standings.

"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 expressed his enthusiasm and also shed a light on the support system, both professional and personal, as reported by KGW. "It was an eruption," LeBlanc conveyed, detailing the energy following the internal announcement among players that was, quite frankly, a full-throated endorsement of Gale's influence and philosophy, KOIN reports.

Under Gale's guidance, the team's scoring prowess has spread across the roster, with nine different players chalking up goals, all while the defense has maintained its rigor, conceding sparingly. Stepping into his new official role, Gale and his team have set sights on the upcoming NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, kicking off their campaign on home soil against Club Tijuana at Providence Park.