Deadspin | Portland Thorns hire Robert Vilahamn as head coach

Deadspin | Portland Thorns hire Robert Vilahamn as head coach

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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Deadspin | Bryan Woo sets down 15 straight as Mariners drop Rangers  Apr 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starter Bryan Woo (22) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images   Bryan Woo pitched seven strong innings for his first victory of the season and was backed by three home runs as the Seattle Mariners defeated the visiting Texas Rangers 5-2 on Sunday afternoon.  Rob Refsnyder, J.P. Crawford and Randy Arozarena went deep to account for all the runs for the Mariners, who took two of three games from their American League West rivals.  Woo (1-2) allowed two runs on four hits. The right-hander walked one and struck out six. Andres Munoz struck out three in the ninth — the first reached base on a wild pitch — and got Evan Carter to ground out to first to earn his third save.  The Rangers’ Brandon Nimmo lined Woo’s first pitch of the game into right for a single, but he was erased when Wyatt Langford grounded into an inning-ending double play.  The Rangers didn’t have another baserunner until Josh Smith lined a one-out single to right in the sixth.  Texas finally got to Woo in the seventh as Corey Seager led off with a walk, Langford singled on a soft liner to left and, with one out, Joc Pederson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Josh Jung’s sacrifice fly to right spoiled the shutout bid and Carter’s double into the right field corner made it 5-2. Woo got Smith to ground to second to end the inning.   Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-2) gave up five runs on seven hits over five innings with one walk and five strikeouts. Gore, who didn’t allow a hit on a curveball during his first four starts of the season, allowed four off that pitch Sunday — including the homers by Crawford and Arozarena.  Refsnyder, who came into the game 0-for-18 for the season, lined Gore’s first-pitch fastball over the left field wall leading off the bottom of the first.  The Mariners added to their lead in the second as Mitch Garver drew a leadoff walk and, one out later, Crawford went deep to right to make it 3-0.  With two outs in the fifth, Julio Rodriguez lined a single to left and Arozarena homered off the left field pole to extend the lead to 5-0.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Bryan #Woo #sets #straight #Mariners #drop #RangersApr 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starter Bryan Woo (22) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Bryan Woo pitched seven strong innings for his first victory of the season and was backed by three home runs as the Seattle Mariners defeated the visiting Texas Rangers 5-2 on Sunday afternoon.

Rob Refsnyder, J.P. Crawford and Randy Arozarena went deep to account for all the runs for the Mariners, who took two of three games from their American League West rivals.

Woo (1-2) allowed two runs on four hits. The right-hander walked one and struck out six. Andres Munoz struck out three in the ninth — the first reached base on a wild pitch — and got Evan Carter to ground out to first to earn his third save.

The Rangers’ Brandon Nimmo lined Woo’s first pitch of the game into right for a single, but he was erased when Wyatt Langford grounded into an inning-ending double play.

The Rangers didn’t have another baserunner until Josh Smith lined a one-out single to right in the sixth.


Texas finally got to Woo in the seventh as Corey Seager led off with a walk, Langford singled on a soft liner to left and, with one out, Joc Pederson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Josh Jung’s sacrifice fly to right spoiled the shutout bid and Carter’s double into the right field corner made it 5-2. Woo got Smith to ground to second to end the inning.

Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-2) gave up five runs on seven hits over five innings with one walk and five strikeouts. Gore, who didn’t allow a hit on a curveball during his first four starts of the season, allowed four off that pitch Sunday — including the homers by Crawford and Arozarena.

Refsnyder, who came into the game 0-for-18 for the season, lined Gore’s first-pitch fastball over the left field wall leading off the bottom of the first.

The Mariners added to their lead in the second as Mitch Garver drew a leadoff walk and, one out later, Crawford went deep to right to make it 3-0.

With two outs in the fifth, Julio Rodriguez lined a single to left and Arozarena homered off the left field pole to extend the lead to 5-0.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Bryan #Woo #sets #straight #Mariners #drop #Rangers">Deadspin | Bryan Woo sets down 15 straight as Mariners drop Rangers  Apr 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starter Bryan Woo (22) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images   Bryan Woo pitched seven strong innings for his first victory of the season and was backed by three home runs as the Seattle Mariners defeated the visiting Texas Rangers 5-2 on Sunday afternoon.  Rob Refsnyder, J.P. Crawford and Randy Arozarena went deep to account for all the runs for the Mariners, who took two of three games from their American League West rivals.  Woo (1-2) allowed two runs on four hits. The right-hander walked one and struck out six. Andres Munoz struck out three in the ninth — the first reached base on a wild pitch — and got Evan Carter to ground out to first to earn his third save.  The Rangers’ Brandon Nimmo lined Woo’s first pitch of the game into right for a single, but he was erased when Wyatt Langford grounded into an inning-ending double play.  The Rangers didn’t have another baserunner until Josh Smith lined a one-out single to right in the sixth.  Texas finally got to Woo in the seventh as Corey Seager led off with a walk, Langford singled on a soft liner to left and, with one out, Joc Pederson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Josh Jung’s sacrifice fly to right spoiled the shutout bid and Carter’s double into the right field corner made it 5-2. Woo got Smith to ground to second to end the inning.   Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-2) gave up five runs on seven hits over five innings with one walk and five strikeouts. Gore, who didn’t allow a hit on a curveball during his first four starts of the season, allowed four off that pitch Sunday — including the homers by Crawford and Arozarena.  Refsnyder, who came into the game 0-for-18 for the season, lined Gore’s first-pitch fastball over the left field wall leading off the bottom of the first.  The Mariners added to their lead in the second as Mitch Garver drew a leadoff walk and, one out later, Crawford went deep to right to make it 3-0.  With two outs in the fifth, Julio Rodriguez lined a single to left and Arozarena homered off the left field pole to extend the lead to 5-0.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Bryan #Woo #sets #straight #Mariners #drop #Rangers

Deadspin | Blue Jays score 8 runs in first in rout of Diamondbacks  Apr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Kazuma Okamoto homered, doubled and drove in three runs, Nathan Lukes had three hits and three RBIs, and the Toronto Blue Jays used an eight-run first inning to cruise to a 10-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Sunday.  Okamoto had a two-run double in the first and leadoff man Lukes had two hits in the frame, including a three-run double to cap the big inning off Ryne Nelson (1-2), who retired one of the 10 batters he faced.  Vladimir Guerrero had three hits and two RBIs to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and Ernie Clement had two doubles as the Jays broke a four-game losing streak while tying season highs for runs and hits.  Okamoto homered in the third, his third of the season and first since March 30. He was in a 2 for 28 skid until singling twice in Arizona’s 6-2 win Saturday.  Jorge Barrosa had a two-run homer and Adrian Del Castillo had two hits and an RBI-double for the D-Backs, who had won four in a row and 10 of 13.  Barrosa replaced Corbin Carroll in the top of the fifth inning after Carroll left with low back tightness, the Diamondbacks said.   Kevin Gausman (1-1) gave up two runs on seven hits in six innings, with four strikeouts and one walk.  D-Backs first baseman Ildemaro Vargas had a single to extend his season-opening hitting streak to 15 games, a franchise record. He has an 18-game hitting streak dating to last September, the longest active streak in the majors.  The Jays had seven straight hits to open the game off Nelson and led 2-0 after eight pitches, 5-0 after 20 pitches and 8-0 after 30 pitches when Lukes’s three-run double knocked out Nelson.  Guerrero had a two-run single, Eloy Jimenez singled in a run and Okamoto had a two-run double to give the Jays a 5-0 lead. After a walk and a strikeout, Lukes lined an opposite field double into the left-field corner.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #score #runs #rout #DiamondbacksApr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kazuma Okamoto homered, doubled and drove in three runs, Nathan Lukes had three hits and three RBIs, and the Toronto Blue Jays used an eight-run first inning to cruise to a 10-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Sunday.

Okamoto had a two-run double in the first and leadoff man Lukes had two hits in the frame, including a three-run double to cap the big inning off Ryne Nelson (1-2), who retired one of the 10 batters he faced.

Vladimir Guerrero had three hits and two RBIs to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and Ernie Clement had two doubles as the Jays broke a four-game losing streak while tying season highs for runs and hits.

Okamoto homered in the third, his third of the season and first since March 30. He was in a 2 for 28 skid until singling twice in Arizona’s 6-2 win Saturday.

Jorge Barrosa had a two-run homer and Adrian Del Castillo had two hits and an RBI-double for the D-Backs, who had won four in a row and 10 of 13.


Barrosa replaced Corbin Carroll in the top of the fifth inning after Carroll left with low back tightness, the Diamondbacks said.

Kevin Gausman (1-1) gave up two runs on seven hits in six innings, with four strikeouts and one walk.

D-Backs first baseman Ildemaro Vargas had a single to extend his season-opening hitting streak to 15 games, a franchise record. He has an 18-game hitting streak dating to last September, the longest active streak in the majors.

The Jays had seven straight hits to open the game off Nelson and led 2-0 after eight pitches, 5-0 after 20 pitches and 8-0 after 30 pitches when Lukes’s three-run double knocked out Nelson.

Guerrero had a two-run single, Eloy Jimenez singled in a run and Okamoto had a two-run double to give the Jays a 5-0 lead. After a walk and a strikeout, Lukes lined an opposite field double into the left-field corner.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Blue #Jays #score #runs #rout #Diamondbacks">Deadspin | Blue Jays score 8 runs in first in rout of Diamondbacks  Apr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Kazuma Okamoto homered, doubled and drove in three runs, Nathan Lukes had three hits and three RBIs, and the Toronto Blue Jays used an eight-run first inning to cruise to a 10-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Sunday.  Okamoto had a two-run double in the first and leadoff man Lukes had two hits in the frame, including a three-run double to cap the big inning off Ryne Nelson (1-2), who retired one of the 10 batters he faced.  Vladimir Guerrero had three hits and two RBIs to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and Ernie Clement had two doubles as the Jays broke a four-game losing streak while tying season highs for runs and hits.  Okamoto homered in the third, his third of the season and first since March 30. He was in a 2 for 28 skid until singling twice in Arizona’s 6-2 win Saturday.  Jorge Barrosa had a two-run homer and Adrian Del Castillo had two hits and an RBI-double for the D-Backs, who had won four in a row and 10 of 13.  Barrosa replaced Corbin Carroll in the top of the fifth inning after Carroll left with low back tightness, the Diamondbacks said.   Kevin Gausman (1-1) gave up two runs on seven hits in six innings, with four strikeouts and one walk.  D-Backs first baseman Ildemaro Vargas had a single to extend his season-opening hitting streak to 15 games, a franchise record. He has an 18-game hitting streak dating to last September, the longest active streak in the majors.  The Jays had seven straight hits to open the game off Nelson and led 2-0 after eight pitches, 5-0 after 20 pitches and 8-0 after 30 pitches when Lukes’s three-run double knocked out Nelson.  Guerrero had a two-run single, Eloy Jimenez singled in a run and Okamoto had a two-run double to give the Jays a 5-0 lead. After a walk and a strikeout, Lukes lined an opposite field double into the left-field corner.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #score #runs #rout #Diamondbacks

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