Portland Thorns Media Day: Takeaways & Reaction
The media had a chance to meet new team governors, Lisa Bhathal Merage & Alex Bhathal. NWSL commissioner, Jessica Berman, and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler were there to join in the media day as well.
"We do not think of ourselves as owners, we consider ourselves stewards of a beloved community asset” - Lisa Bhathal Merage | Portland Thorns Governor
A Fresh Start
Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal were finally officially introduced to the Rose City on Monday. Joining the Bhathals were their family, Karina LeBlanc, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. Every seat in the Club at Providence Park was taken up. There were not enough seats to accommodate everyone (which is an amazing problem to have). The standing room in the back was filled up too. Every news outlet was there — even Portland Timbers legend Diego Valeri showed up.
Every single player of the Portland Thorns sat in the front row. They have been raving about the new governors and rightfully so. Even though the preseason has only started for two weeks, Lisa & Alex have already made three separate appearances to meet with the team.
One prime example of this is how quick they respond to the players and staff needs.
“They had our first meeting with us. I was like, they know what they're doing,” said Thorns forward Morgan Weaver. “They are the people we need and they're here for it and I'm really excited to get to know them as well.”
“Standards are going to be reset. Everything's gonna be different. If you have a complaint, like I've already talked to Lisa about one, it's already gotten fixed. It's like two seconds. Okay, we'll fix that. No big deal. Wow. That was like amazing. Like I went to her. We wanted hair and makeup for media. Super simple, but guess what, it's done. Like two seconds. I was just like, that's also on Karina, getting it done and saying it's Lisa as well but I'm really excited.”
This has been very common among the players in regards to their relationship with Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. The new governors have made it a priority to give everything the players and staff need to be successful.
The entire message has been consistent from LBM and AB: they want the Portland Thorns to be the best — globally number one. The best franchise for women’s soccer in the world. Their ambitions have reached the entire organization with smiles being present throughout from coaches, staff, and players.
“Being the best team means attracting the top talent, both on the roster, in the coaching staff, and in the front office” said Alex Bhathal. “It’s supported by investment in infrastructure and we plan to build a world class state-of-the-art training facility to house the team and its operations.”
NWSL Commissioner, Jessica Berman, seemed to know they’d be the right ones to lead the Portland Thorns in their much needed fresh start.
"When people show up for work calls with their entire family, you know they came to play” said the NWSL commissioner. "They're a force, they lead with purpose and their values. You know what you get when you talk to them."
Who benefits from the new change the most? The players.
Olivia Moultrie: "Our goals are completely aligned."
Sam Coffey: "I compare this season that we're into right now to the Natasha Bedingfield song, Unwritten... I can’t wait to see what we’re going to write for this chapter that is being written now."
Janine Beckie: "I can quite confidently say that this is the best experience I've had in my first two weeks at a club."
Beckie who is recovering from an ACL tear suffered before last season, has worked tirelessly to come back. If you have an extra minute, I would recommend listening to her entire speech. This is why she is seen as a locker room leader and someone the team can depend on.
I need to give a huge shoutout to Meg Van Dyk who is now in charge of communications for the Portland Thorns. It has been a blast to work with someone who is as respected as her with the plethora of experience too. An added bonus? She’s a Detroit Lions fan (Yes, I’ve been one since 2002 because of Joey Harrington).
This event was as big as this team deserved and it was an amazing one to be a part of. For everything this team has been through over the past few years, it is a pleasant surprise to see what top notch ownership can achieve with true dedication and commitment.
These Portland Thorns seem to have rediscovered a fire that is now burning at it’s strongest. The coaches, staff, and players now have a chance to enjoy the game knowing, Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal will always have their backs. That is powerful.
BREAKING NEWS
If you have not heard, Stumptown Footy is going to have our very own podcast!
Stumptown Radio will have multiple episodes per month with your favorite Timbers and Thorns. Our first interview is with Portland Timbers star, Zac McGraw.
Who will be our first Portland Thorns guest? Place your guess in the comments!
I was looking for a longer Thorns highlight compilation last week and there aren't really any other than those on the Thorns Youtube (which are mostly game clips), so I made my own- Apologies for the shitty editing, I haven't done this since college lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcBXtc_Ah4k
Thank you Phuoc, this is very hopeful and very exciting from a fan perspective. It's like a great wave of positivity washing away years of indecisiveness and negativity. That the players have such upbeat responses is most important, of course. My prediction: the Good Janet/Bad Janet Thorns editions that presented last season will trend heavily Good Janet this year.
LFG