Thorns Academy 2021/2022 Head Coaching staff 

U19 – Linus Rhode – USSF “A” License

Pac 12 Coach at Oregon State for 10 years with NCAA playoff berths, ODP and Region 4 staff coach.  Played at University of Portland, Canadian National team, and 1996 Canadian Olympic Team.  Has been an Academy coach for 2 years.

U17 – Tracy Nelson – USSF “A” License

Current Thorns Academy Director and Head Coach with the Academy for the past 4 years.  Has coached in the ODP/RTC programs and at the collegiate level winning 3 NWAC championships.  Played professionally in Sweden and England as well as for the US Youth National Team.  Played at the University of Portland.

The Franklin Post - December 2020
"In Pursuit of Success, Coaches of Portland Tracy Nelson"

Our Game Magazine - October 2020
"Tracy Osborn's Millwall and FA Cup Adventure"

U16 – Sharla Topaum – USSF “C” License

Has coached for over 10 years in the OYSA League including multiple state championship teams.  She has been actively involved with both RTC and ODP, serving as an RTC Director and ODP Coach.   Sharla also played collegiate soccer in Canada.

U15 – Erin Grand – USSF “B” License Candidate
 

This will be her second year with the Academy as a Head Coach. Erin worked with the University of North Carolina women’s team on match analytics for 5 seasons and has been coaching soccer for over 15 years. She has experience coaching youth in Oregon, North Carolina, and Canada. She played collegiately in Canada and was a college assistant in Canada for 3 years following graduation.

U14 – Shane Bangs – USSF “C” License

Current assistant coach for 2008 team.  Has been actively involved with RTC and ODP and is currently the RTC West Director.  He has been actively involved in youth soccer in Oregon for over 15 years, including head coaching positions with Westside Timbers where he was instrumental in the start of the Westside Timbers Tualatin/Sherwood program.  Played at Oregon State University.

U13 – Linus Rhode – USSF “A” License
 

Pac 12 Coach at Oregon State for 10 years with NCAA playoff berths, ODP and Region 4 staff coach.  Played at University of Portland, Canadian National team, and 1996 Canadian Olympic Team.  Has been an Academy coach for 2 years.

 

GK Coach – Maite Zabala – USSF “A” License

Current GK Coach for the Academy and is the current GK coach at University of Portland. Has coached at Boise State University, San Francisco State University and Cal –Berkeley.   Played professionally in the Women’s United Soccer Association for 4 years and in the Spanish Super Liga.    Was a standout GK at Cal-Berkeley and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

 

Assistant and Staff Coaches will be announced soon.

Portland Thorns Academy Tryouts 2021/2022 Season

NOTE:  Fields and times are subject to change

Age Group	Date	Time	Location
U19 (2003 & 2004)	April 16	7:30 - 9:00pm	Providence Park
	April 17	6:30 - 8:00pm	Providence Park
U17 (2005)	April 16	7:30 - 9:00pm	Providence Park
	April 17	6:30 - 8:00pm	Providence Park
U16 (2006)	April 16	6:00 - 7:30pm	Providence Park
	April 17	5:00 - 6:30pm	Providence Park
U15 (2007)	April 16	6:00 - 7:30pm	Providence Park
	April 17	5:00 - 6:30pm	Providence Park
U14 (2008)	April 18	5:30 - 7:00pm	Providence Park
	April 19	7:30 - 9:00pm	Providence Park
U13 (2009)	April 18	4:00 - 5:30pm	Providence Park
	April 19	6:00 - 7:30pm	Providence Park

 

*Any player registering for our tryouts, that is currently registered with an ECNL Club outside of the Thorns Academy will automatically be registered for our supplemental tryout on May 3^rd in accordance with the ECNL rule 2.13.1.1.  This rule prohibits any current ECNL player to tryout or train with another ECNL club before May 1^st.  The supplemental tryout will be at Providence Park and time will be emailed to players 2 weeks before the tryout. 

   

Tryouts for the Pre-Academy are May, and will be the same time as the OYSA Tryouts for the 2021/2022 Season. 

NOTE:  Fields and times are subject to change

 

Age Group	Date	Time	Location
U12  (2010)	May 2	6:30 - 8:00pm	Providence Park
	May 3	TBD	TBD
	May 4	TBD	TBD
U11 (2011)	May 2	6:30 - 8:00pm	Providence Park
	May 3	TBD	TBD
	May 4	TBD	TBD
U10 (2012)	May 2	5:00 - 6:30pm	Providence Park
	May 3	TBD	TBD
	May 4	TBD	TBD

 

REGISTER 

Pre-Academy Tryouts

Pre-Academy Tryout Fee
U10 - U12 

March 18 - April 16		$25
April 17 - April 28		$35
April 29		$50

Due to COVID Walk Up registration is not available.