The Portland Thorns FC elevated interim head coach Rob Gale to the role on a permanent basis.

Gale took over the club on April 16 when head coach Mike Norris was moved to the newly created position of technical director after four games and one point.

Gale is 8-2-2 as head coach across all competitions. The team won his first six games, setting a National Women’s Soccer League record for most wins to start a coaching tenure, and sit in fifth place in the standings.

In Gale’s first 12 games, the Thorns have posted seven shutouts.

“At the beginning of this process we indicated our intention to embark on a global search for the right person to lead this historic club as our next head coach. I am pleased to share that after a long, extensive and thorough process we have come to the conclusion of our coaching search,” Karina LeBlanc, the club’s president of soccer operations, said Friday in a club statement. “Since taking over in the interim Rob has proven himself to be the right choice to serve as our club’s head coach.”

Gale joined the Thorns staff as an assistant coach before the 2023 season. His previous experience includes serving as head coach of the U-20 Canada National Team.

The Thorns (8-5-3, 27 points) will begin play in the NWSL Summer Cup on Sunday against Club Tijuana. They will return to NWSL action next month following the conclusion of the Paris Olympics.

–Field Level Media