PORTLAND — Citing a desire to spend more time with her family, Cindy Parlow Cone on Thursday resigned as the coach of Portland Thorns FC.
Coaching the Thorns has been one of the highlights of my career,” Cone said. “However, due to the scheduling conflicts created by the job, I realized that despite being a great move for my career, it was less than ideal for the health of my marriage — which is the most important thing in my life.”
John Cone, Cindy’s husband, is the Portland Timbers Director of Sports Science, a role that includes working with players who are recovering from injury. The Timbers have not announced any change in John Cone’s status with the club.
In her first job as a head coach, Cone guided the Thorns to the first National Women’s Soccer League championship.
On Twitter, Thorns FC owner Merritt Paulson said he expects to introduce a new coach next week.
Several media outlets, have reported that Paul Riley is expected to be the next Thorns coach. Currently the head coach of the Long Island Fury of the Women’s Premier Soccer League, Riley, 50, was a two-time Women’s Pro Soccer coach of the year who guided the Philadelphia Independence to two championship match appearances.
“We sincerely appreciate everything that Cindy has accomplished as head coach of Portland Thorns FC,” general manager Gavin Wilkinson said. “Helping deliver a championship to Portland was a major achievement, especially in her first year as a professional head coach.”
Cone thanked the Thorns fans, players and management team for the “amazing opportunity” to coach in Portland.
To the fans, she said, “You truly are the best fans in the country. I will forever cherish the memories from this year.”
