Deadspin | Portland Thorns hire Robert Vilahamn as head coach

Deadspin | Portland Thorns hire Robert Vilahamn as head coach

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Sep 30, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; A general view of the game ball before the game between Washington Spirit and Kansas City Current at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Portland Thorns announced the hiring of head coach Robert Vilahamn on Wednesday.

The 43-year-old Sweden native most recently coached Tottenham Hotspur in England’s Women’s Super League from 2023-25, leading the team to the Women’s FA Cup final in his first season.

Vilahamn replaces Rob Gale, who was fired after last November’s loss in the semifinals of the NWSL playoffs.

“Robert arrives with managerial experience at the highest levels of the women’s game, possesses a strong track record of helping players grow and will strengthen our team environment by providing new global perspectives and insights,” Thorns general manager Jeff Agoos said. “His proactive, front-foot approach aligns with the identity and expectations of the Thorns and our supporters, and we look forward to welcoming him to Portland.”

Vilahamn coached the BK Hacken women’s team in Sweden from 2021-23, qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League in both seasons and making consecutive Swedish Cup finals.

The Thorns have made the playoffs in all but one season since joining the NWSL as a founding club in 2013. Portland won league championships in 2013, 2017 and 2022.

“I’m very excited and thankful to be the new head coach of the Portland Thorns,” Vilahamn said. “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.”

–Field Level Media



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The Minnesota Twins placed right-hander Mick Abel on the 15-day injured list Monday with elbow inflammation.

The move is retroactive to Friday for Abel, who fanned a career-high 10 batters in seven shutout innings in his last start on April 14 against Boston.


Abel, 24, is 1-2 with a 3.98 ERA in four games (three starts) this season and has an active streak of 14 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings. He has struck out 23 batters and walked 10 in 20 1/3 innings.

A first-round pick by Philadelphia (15th overall) in 2020, Abel is 4-6 with a 5.46 ERA in 14 career games (11 starts) with the Phillies (2025) and Twins. Minnesota acquired him at the trade deadline last season, sending right-hander Jhoan Duran to Philadelphia.

The Twins will make a corresponding roster move prior to Tuesday night’s road game against the New York Mets.


–Field Level Media

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Aubrey, 31, displaces the Kansas City Chiefs’ Harrison Butker, whose average annual salary is $6.4 million.


Aubrey earned first-team All-Pro honors as a 2023 rookie and was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons

Last season, he made 36 of 42 field goal-attempts (85.7%), including 11 of 17 from 50 or more yards, and 47 of 48 extra-point attempts. For his career, Aubrey is 112 of 127 (88.2%) on field goals with a long of 65 yards, and 126 of 130 (96.9%) on extra points.

A former Notre Dame soccer player who became a first-round MLS draft pick in 2017, Aubrey did not pursue a football career until 2019, after he was released by a second-division USL soccer club. He now holds the NFL record with six career field goals of 60 or more yards.

The Cowboys had placed a $5.7 million second-round tender on Aubrey last month while trying to work out a long-term extension.


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