Robert Vilahamn's start as head coach of the Portland Thorns has been anything but sunshine.
His official hire was announced on March 4, only 10 days before the season opener. Awaiting his visa approval, he would have to communicate with the coaching staff over long distance and drastic time differences.
Despite that, Vilahamn was still eager for his new post.
“I’m very excited and thankful to be the new head coach of the Portland Thorns,” Vilahamn said when his hire was announced. “The club has everything I look for, with a clear ambition to win, an incredible fan base and a strong environment for developing talented players. The NWSL is the most competitive league in the world, and coming to the U.S. to be part of it is a major step in my career. I’m really looking forward to starting this next chapter in Portland.”
Vilahamn has made it clear that his vision for the team consists of beautiful football that everyone can enjoy, but one that is also flexible, tactically.
"Yes, we're going to be a possession based team with good build-up, play out from the back, play through opponent's press," the coach shared in his first presser. "I also want to make sure we can be very fast in transitions and when we break the press, we are going to be a very fast attacking team as well,"
"A hybrid of the European/American way, but we going to do it the Portland way. We are going to make sure the fans are excited to watch us play."
When he finally received his clearance, he immediately packed three suitcases of luggage at home from Sweden before making his way to the 2026 NWSL season opener at Washington Spirit.
Unfortunately, there were multiple delays on that trek. In order to get to Washington D.C., he had to go through multiple countries and detours.
"I came here (D.C.) first. I have three big suitcases here. I'm actually going to bring them and then move to Portland. So, I just came from Sweden basically, and then it was delayed. I went to Amsterdam then to Port Paris and now I ended up here. So I'm very tired."
The Thorns were already in Washngton, training in perfect weather for one day. But by the next day, when Vilahamn made his first appearance at training, it was essentially in a snowstorm with three-four inches of snow and weather in the 30s throughout the day.
Even with all that jetlag and all the detours, and a blizzard, all he just wanted to do was be there for his new team.
"I strongly believe when you want to build something together and for the future, you want to be present for the beginning if you can. I think one of my key values is to be brave and our thinking was 'what's the bravest thing I can do?' I can be there standing by the line seeing if we lose 5-nil or win. It was very important for me to be present for them. Whatever happened that day would be the start of something, anyways. I want to be at the beginning with them, that was the key for me."
Heading into the opening match, the Portland Thorns weathered a strong first half from the Washington Spirit before waking up in the second half.
In his debut with his new club, Robert Vilahamn would start off with a 1-0 upset win, with blossoming superstar Olivia Moultrie providing the world class game-winner from a Pietra Tordin delivery.
"Even though he has been with us for like 24-ish hours, I think he's done a great job, being clear, and bringing great energy," said Moultrie. "I'm excited what else we can continue to build now that he's here full time."
Throughout this entire process, interim head coach Sarah Lowdon has drawn rave reviews from the players, staff, and coaches. Vilahamn has given her and the staff praise at every media availability.
"No. 1, Sarah has done an incredible job through preseason, said Moultrie. "She has taken that interim role & attacked it with everything she has. I think she did a great job prepping us. As soon as Robert was able to communicate with the staff, they were all getting on the same page."
"Sarah and the team have done an amazing preseason, said Vilahamn. "They have handled it in a way where they don't know who's coming in and train them quite naturally, so they can be ready for this. I am so impressed by that."
The new head coach has gushed about the staff and not shared any plans moving forward of adding new staff because of how much he values the staff's abilities.
Robert Vilahamn's first days in the NWSL was a symbolism of his character. Absolutely nothing was going to stop him from being there for the team. That first impression will be one that is lasting and one that will mean a lot to his staff and players, but also the fans and supporters.
Now he has the chance to settle down in the Rose City and enjoy his very-first Cascadia Derby against Seattle Reign.
"This is going to be one of the highlights. This is going to be one of the biggest games, I've coached."
