Credit: Troy Wayrynen | Imagn Images
The Portland Thorns have announced the club has hired Becky Sauerbrunn as a technical consultant for the rest of the 2026 season. The center back spent the last four years of her decorated career playing for Portland, until she retired in 2024.
“Sauerbrunn will bring meaningful defensive expertise and veteran mentorship as the Thorns continue to compete for the NWSL Championship in 2026,” a statement from the team reads. “Sauerbrunn will also provide her high-level insights during video analysis to help athletes and technical staff review performance.”
In the statement, Sauerbrunn said, “As a player, I loved watching film, talking tactics and details, working with a backline, and this opportunity affords me all those things with a lot less running. I had the privilege of a long career in this league, and I hope to be a resource for the players and staff as they work towards a championship season.”
The Thorns sit in fifth place in the NWSL standings, with eight games remaining. Robert Vilahamn has served as the team’s head coach since the beginning of the season.
Sauerbrunn won the NWSL Championship three times, including with the Thorns in 2022. The other two times were in 2014 and 2015 with FC Kansas City. She won the NWSL Shield with Portland in 2021. Sauerbrunn was named the NWSL Defender of the Year four times at FC Kansas City and Utah Royals FC.
Sauerbrunn also had a decorated career with the U.S. women’s national team, winning the Olympics in 2012 and the World Cup in 2015 and 2019. She captained the team from 2021 until 2023, and before that served as co-captain alongside Carli Lloyd from 2016 to 2018. In all, she earned 219 caps.
Since retiring from professional soccer, Sauerbrunn has embarked in a career in media, co-hosting The Women’s Game’s show “Good Vibes FC” alongside Sam Mewis and Lynn Biyendolo, and hosting “Teaming Up with Becky Sauerbrunn” under the same umbrella. She has also appeared on TNT’s USWNT broadcasts.
