Portland Thorns Updates: Head coaching search, new director of scouting, state-of-the-art training facility, recruitment, and more moves?

It might be preseason for the Portland Thorns, but the news isn't quiet.

Here are the latest updates, starting with the status of the search for a new head coach.

Head Coaching Search Update

According to a team source, the Portland Thorns head coaching search is down to a final shortlist of candidates.

The new hire is expected to bring in multiple assistant coaches to the staff. As of now, only interim head coach Sarah Lowdon and Vytas Andriuškevičius remain on staff.

The intention is to announce the new head coach during the preseason window. An exact timeline was not provided, but the club has the utmost confidence in interim head coach Sarah Lowdon to lead the team in the meantime.

Why this is a positive update

Since the departure of Mark Parsons, the transparency from the club has not been the same. However, the steady amount of updates that have come, especially recently, should be viewed in a positive light.

The Portland Thorns have had four different head coaches since 2021, giving the team absolutely no cohesion and momentum. Not a single head coach has lasted two full seasons in that timeframe. Under former GM Karina LeBlanc, the Portland Thorns hired Rhian Wilkinson, Mike Norris, and Rob Gale. The last two hires were internal hires that were simply uninspiring, and not ambitious enough.

For a club that has expectations of winning championships and shields, that front office failed to keep up in the new NWSL landscape.

Jeff Agoos with special advisors Angus McNab and Lucy Rushton have now been tasked with playing catch-up and steadying the ship.

Why? Because this will likely be Agoos' biggest decision he'll make during his tenure as President of Soccer Operations and General Manager for the Thorns. In order to come to the right decision, no stone must be left unturned. By all indications, this search has done just that and more. That alone, is crucial.

The front office knows if they hit on this hire with the current star-studded roster, this team has every chance to become an NWSL dynasty in the Rose City.

Would it be optimal for the head coach to be hired before the team heads into preseason? Absolutely – but it's more important to get it right.

Who could they possibly target?

Top Portland Thorns head coaching candidates

Who are a few names to look out for in the Portland Thorns’ head coaching search?

Stumptown FootyPhuoc Nguyen (Fook Win)

Portland Thorns hire Mark Carr as Director of Scouting and Recruitment

After Mike Smith's departure in August, the club have not found his replacement until now.

A team spokesperson has confirmed that the Portland Thorns have hired Mark Carr as their new Director of Scouting and Recruitment.

In May of 2023 he was hired as Head of Global Scouting for the San Diego Wave. After leading global scouting efforts for two seasons, he was promoted to Director of Player Recruitment in August of 2025.

Carr has also spent time with the U.S. Youth National Teams at the U-15, U-17 and U-20 levels. His expertise also includes time with the USWNT as an opposition team scout for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup where he worked heavily alongside the senior team to bring in the best young talent.

He has also coached collegiately as head coach at the University of Oklahoma and University of San Francisco and as assistant coach with UCLA.

Some of the notable names he helped bring in at San Diego Wave include: Delphine Cascarino (transfer), Perle Morroni (transfer), María Sánchez (trade), Hanna Lundkvist (transfer), Kennedy Wesley (draft), Kimmi Ascanio (under-18 entry mechanism), Trinity Armstrong (NCAA signing), Trinity Byars (NCAA signing), Kenza Dali (transfer), Gia Corley (transfer), Daniela Arias (transfer), Dudinha (transfer), and Laurina Fazer (transfer).

Just looking at some of the players, it's very apparent that Carr and San Diego weren't afraid to bring in major names. For the Portland Thorns, they are very used to accommodating players of that stature.

However, in recent seasons the club has switched to adding high-upside and young talent to the roster.

Does that change Carr's mission with the team or his ability to bring in the best players from around the globe? Only time will tell.

Training Facility Status

All is going to plan for the new Portland Thorns state-of-the-art training facility as it's expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 season.

There will be two training pitches for the team: one grass and one turf.

The players have been outspoken about the need for grass training pitches as the wear and tear of turf continues to be immense in a day-to-day setting.

The Portland Thorns and Fire training facility will continue to be completed in phases. With the NWSL season starting first, that will be the top priority.

The team will report later in the month and will head to California for the start of the preseason training camp. They will also train at Providence Park until their new training center is ready.

What else is coming up?

There will be a few roster moves to be announced moving forward.

One of those will be Daiane's move to Club de Fútbol Monterrey Femenil. The defender heading to Rayadas would leave the Portland Thorns thin at the center back position with only Jayden "JP" Perry, Isa Obaze, and Sam Hiatt on the roster.

Depending on where you see Mallie McKenzie, the team is down to three CBs.

If that is the case, it's even more imperative for the Thorns to shore up that position ahead of the 2025 season. Going in quite thin so early in the season will put a lot of stress on the group - when you'd prefer every player to be as fresh as possible for the late-season stretch.

The good news? There are a lot of intriguing options at center back.

The Portland Thorns No. 1 offseason priority - Center Back: Top 10 Potential Options

The Portland Thorns’ front office have a busy offseason ahead of them, but there’s one position they’ll likely make the top priority: center back. Here are 10 potential CBs they could look to add.

Stumptown FootyPhuoc Nguyen (Fook Win)

If the front office are unable to add to this position, it'll be an incomplete offseason.

Next Up: Stumptown Radio: head coaching search, Mark Carr hired as Director of Scouting and Recruitment, training facility, and potential moves coming up

Episode drops later this week, be sure to be tuned in!