NWSL: Portland Thorns stars slammed for praising owner involved in abuse scandal | OneFootball

Portland Thorns players have been criticised after praising team owner Merritt Paulson, who is currently embroiled in the NWSL abuse scandal.

Paulson announced last night that he would be selling the Portland Thorns, but not his MLS team Portland Timbers.

The American businessman has been under pressure to sell both entities after allegations of sexual harassment and coercion were made against the Thorns’ former manager Paul Riley for which he was fired in 2015.

This pressure increased after the release of the Yates Report in October, which found evidence of abuse and misconduct spanning multiple NWSL teams and coaches.

The report also detailed how the Portland Thorns leadership team had strived to keep the reasons for Riley’s departure quiet.

A number of NWSL stars were subsequently taken aback when Paulson was praised and thanked by some of his players for his work with Portland Thorns.

What did Portland Thorns players say about Merritt Paulson?

Christine Sinclair, who has scored more international goals than anyone else in the history of football, was among those to thank Paulson.

The Canadian has won the NWSL Championship three times with the Portland Thorns, including earlier this year.

“For 10 years, I have proudly represented the Portland Thorns,” Sinclair wrote on Twitter.

“Merritt, thank you for taking the chance on women’s soccer 10 years ago that so few are willing to make.

“With your leadership, Portland has shown what is possible when our game is invested in. I only hope, that as you step aside, the next in line will continue to raise the bar for this organisation, community and league.

“I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for women’s soccer and I wish you all the success in the future. You will be missed greatly.”

Defender Emily Menges was another to issue a statement on Twitter.

“Merritt, I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for the Portland Thorns,” she wrote.

“From the inception of the NWSL, you’ve not only been a driving force in the construction of a thriving league, but behind the scenes you’ve been relentless in your pursuit to raise the ceiling for women’s soccer.

“As you step aside and light the way for the next owner, these past 10 years will prove to have been an essential step for the growth of the game across the globe.

“I moved out to Portland nine years ago to begin my professional career, and I felt nothing but support from you for my entire time as a Thorn. Thank you for everything.”

Who has criticised the Portland Thorns players?

A number of high-profile NWSL stars have been critical of the decision to praise Paulson following the news he would be selling Portland Thorns.

Angel City FC player Sydney Leroux was one, hitting back on Twitter.

“When you have someone in a position of power who has covered up the abuse of your teammates and you thank him for what he’s done for women’s soccer, it’s extremely disappointing,” she said.

“We ask people to support women’s soccer yet we can’t even support our own. Do better.”

Kat Williamson, a former Portland Thorns star, was another to call out Sinclair and Menges.

She admitted that Paulson had been a key investor in the NWSL, but also highlighted his role in the NWSL abuse scandal.

“For the record, I would have rather played in a high school stadium for four years, and saw a slower but steady, build to the women’s game in Portland without Merritt’s oversight,” Williamson wrote.

“Instead of seeing my friends and former teammates go through hell by being dismissed and disregarded by ownership we were led to believe we could trust.”

US women’s national team captain Becky Sauerbrunn did not directly criticise Sinclair and Menges, but referenced the situation in a well-worded Twitter post.

“Giving thanks, and sending strength and love to all the women who courageously came forward to share their experiences and demanded much-needed change in our league,” she said.

“We must continue to fight for an environment that is 100% safe (not just for some, but) for all.”