The 2026 NWSL preseason is underway and the Portland Thorns just held their first open training session and held Media Day at the Memorial Coliseum.
Led by interim head coach Sarah Lowdon and assistant coach Vytas Andriuškevičius, the club's preparations for the 2026 season is underway.
In training, Morgan Weaver and Caiya Hanks worked off to the side with head athletic trainer Kelly Strasser and Vytas.
Both players will start the opener on the season-ending injury (SEI) list, but are working their way back to the squad.
In the open session of training, Sarah Lowdon led the way. It was her direction that was heard throughout.
Also spotted at training were new coaches...
2026 Portland Thorns Media Day
Sarah Lowdon
Portland Thorns interim head coach Sarah Lowdon speaks with the media for the first time ahead of the 2026 NWSL regular season.
Lowdon opens up the 'interim' tag in place, ongoing head coaching search, being ready for every outcome, preparation for the season, injury updates, Soph's status, Sam Coffey's departure, and much more.
She also mentions two new interim hires at assistant coach and goalkeeping coach - Kelly Madsen and Amrik Hare.
"Obviously, there's a global search going on, and so we have to respect that process. And my job is just to make sure, again, I can be kind of that stabilizing person for the players, the stabilizing person for the staff."
Timeline to return for key players:
"But I think the biggest piece is in terms of returning players. We have, obviously Marie Müller and so building towards minutes for the first game of the season, we have. Obviously Julie's kind of still kind of in her rehab phase, just based on kind of where she's at with [being] one of the later ones with her. And then obviously Caiya and Weaver, will be probably later on in the year. But yeah, just right now with Soph and Marie, those will be the two that are on track to kind of return for the start of the season."
Morgan Weaver
Portland Thorns forward Morgan Weaver discusses her comeback, interim head coach Sarah Lowdon's impact, recovery timeline, the potential of the frontline, how she has stayed mentally tough even after multiple setbacks, and much more.
"I'll be out there this year. We don't have a timeline, but it'll be this year. I think for me personally, I'm just wanting to get on the field, and I'm not worried about a timeline, and I'm going to make sure I feel 100% it could be earlier than the timeline, it could be later. It's just what I want. And so I think that's the best part, is when I feel 100% ready, is what I'll be on the field."
"I love Sarah... You know, I think Sarah's just different. She's not going to get on you. She does in a different way. You know, coaches will harp at you say things. Sarah's like, she'll come off the field and she'll say, 'Hey, this is what I think you need to work on.' And she's just very like, I don't know how to say that in words, but like, you know you got to get your stuff done."
"And she's just so smart. Like, I don't know how to explain it, but she is so smart with her words and how she uses things you could take. Like, have you heard the soccer books for dummies? Like, I feel like Sarah could she's just so good that she can explain it, and if you don't understand it, you will understand it like, I don't know she's great. I love Sarah. I love her. Have I said it enough? I love her."
Soph Wilson
The Portland Thorns and USWNT forward is back in the Rose City.
"I obviously felt very fortunate the position I was in. There's obviously always options, and you have to explore all of them. I think for me, I've made such a home here in Portland, and I feel comfortable here. And I think a lot of times you hear people talking about, you know, how good it is to put yourself in uncomfortable positions, I felt like the contrast for me this year, it was good to go back to what I know, because obviously, outside of this, a lot of change has happened in my life."
"So getting back into a city and with a team and an organization that I know really well, and I feel comfortable, and I think was what was best for me. And I feel like I've grown up in Portland. I feel like now I became a pro six, six years ago, and I just feel like it only felt right to come back here as this new version of myself and in this community that I know."
All Credit: KATU/Guillermo Motta
She talks what success would like for her this year, how she truly grew up in Portland, being a mom and everything that means, the potential frontline dominance, timeline to return, why she chose to come back, Sarah Lowdon's impact as a coach and person, and much more.
"I love Sarah. She has been a staple person for me in Portland, I think she's someone that I always feel like I can go to and I know I'm not the only player that feels that way. Her door is always open. She's always, you know, there for a small chat, a check in, talk tactics, talk life, whatever it is."
"Sarah is an amazing person, first and foremost, and she's also a very good coach. She knows a lot about the game, and I think her being in this role allows her to share her knowledge more than maybe she has been able to in the past, and I think that's a good thing for all of us. We can all learn a lot from Sarah. So I'm really happy with the position she's in right now, and grateful that we get to continue working with her."
How being a mother has made her life more whole and complete:
"I know it's gonna feel surreal. I'm so excited. I feel like I'm gonna have all the emotions during that moment, just a full circle moment. I think I've always dreamed and thought of the idea of having my daughter in the stands, but now it's it's real, and I think that will just be the best feeling ever. And being a mom. I mean, I feel like I was always meant to be a mom, and I think it just has been the most beautiful, amazing, challenging thing, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. And I'm just so happy. I honestly feel just complete with her in my life."
On young stars Caiya Hanks and Reilyn Turner:
"Watching last year, obviously, before Caiya got injured, watching her was so exciting. She's exactly the type of player that I think I can play really well with, and we can work off each other. She's speedy. She wants to get to goal as quickly as possible.
"I'm so proud of Reilyn and how she's grown as a player, and then seeing her obviously get her first goal at the national team was super special, and I'm excited for her, her to continue that, and to get to play with her."
