Report: Paul Riley Was Urged to Exit USWNT Manager Search over Misconduct Allegations
Sep 2, 2022
HARRISON, NJ - AUGUST 7: North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley before a game between North Carolina Courage and NJ/NY Gotham City FC at Red Bull Arena on August 7, 2021 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Numerous players have accused ex-North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley of sexual coercion dating back to 2010, but those allegations didn't come to light until a report from Meg Linehan and Katie Strang of The Athletic was published in Oct. 2021.
However, numerous people in power were reportedly aware of the allegations against Riley between 2010 and 2021 to the point where Riley's effort to become the United States women's national soccer team head coach in 2019 was quietly squashed for fear of those claims coming to light.
That report is per ESPN's Jeff Carlisle, who wrote that Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paulson worked behind the scenes to prevent Riley from getting the USWNT job.
The Thorns fired Riley in 2015 for cause after then-Thorns player Mana Shim accused him of sexual harassment and coercion. Those allegations were also made in The Athletic article, which highlighted numerous accusations from multiple players across different teams against Riley.
However, the accusations were hidden from the public to the point where the decision for the Thorns to part ways was painted by the team as being based on the Thorns' disappointing performance and the coach's desire to return to the East, where his wife lived in Long Island, New York.
Riley moved onto the Western New York Flash in 2016. The team moved to North Carolina in 2017, and he stayed as the manager until 2021, when he was removed as coach after The Athletic report dropped.
Riley threw his name in for consideration to be the USWNT manager in 2019, but Paulson called Courage owner Steve Malik and said it would be a "a good idea" for his ex-coach to withdraw his name. Paulson reportedly told Malik that Riley was fired for cause, and the hope was to squash the potential of the allegations against the coach from coming to light.
The U.S. Soccer Federation was apparently aware of the details as well.
"According to one source with knowledge of the situation, this came after the U.S. Soccer Federation was warned that details of Riley's firing would become public if he was named USWNT manager, at which point it informed Paulson of this development," Carlisle wrote.
Those allegations did come to light, and it has led to numerous investigations into the mishandling of the situation, including one from the independent law firm DLA Piper into the Thorns' actions.
The Thorns were contacted for comment, per Carlisle, and a spokesperson provided the following response: "Out of respect to the ongoing NWSL investigations, which we are actively cooperating with, we will withhold comment until a more appropriate time."
USWNT and San Diego Wave FC star Alex Morgan provided comment after the ESPN article dropped.
We(the players of the NWSL, especially players in Portland) deserve so much better than a boys club protecting their own. Also, that statement in response by @ThornsFC is just pathetic. https://t.co/rLU1Z8lWqZ
The conversation between Malik and Paulson was reportedly discovered by DLA Piper and revealed to over 150 employees of the Portland Timbers and Thorns organizations in a presentation regarding the investigation, per Carlisle.
Riley withdrew his name from USWNT consideration on Aug. 20, 2019, claiming that he "was not interested in the job at this time."
Naomi Osaka Buys Ownership Stake in NWSL's North Carolina Courage
Jan 28, 2021
Naomi Osaka, of Japan, holds up the championship trophy after defeating Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, in the women's singles final of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennis star Naomi Osaka announced Thursday that she purchased an ownership stake in the National Women's Soccer League's North Carolina Courage.
The women who have invested in me growing up made me who I am today, I don’t know where I would be without them. Throughout my career I’ve always received so much love from my fellow female athletes so that’s why I am proud to share that I am now a owner of @TheNCCourage ⚽️❤️ pic.twitter.com/Iz0YcVvOqz
Courage chairman and founder Stephen Malik said of Osaka's involvement, according to Reuters (h/t ESPN): "I am thrilled to welcome Naomi as an owner of the North Carolina Courage. She brings an invaluable viewpoint on topics beyond sports. I cannot think of anyone better to help us as we continue to make a difference in our community and inspire the next generation of women."
Osaka, 23, is a native of Japan and owns three career Grand Slam singles titles, having won the 2019 Australian Open and the 2018 and 2020 U.S. Open.
Like Osaka, the Courage have a winning pedigree, as they won the NWSL title and the NWSL Shield in both 2018 and 2019.
Taking part ownership of the Courage is one of the highest-profile investments for Osaka, who was named the highest-paid female athlete in the world by Forbes last year.
Forbesreported that Osaka made $37.4 million in 2020, with $34 million of that coming from endorsements. She topped fellow tennis star Serena Williams, who was second with $36 million in total earnings.
The NWSL did not have an official season in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it did hold the NWSL Challenge Cup, which was won by the Houston Dash.
Although North Carolina went a perfect 4-0 in the preliminary round and had the No. 1 seed in the knockout round, it was upset by Portland Thorns FC in the quarterfinals.
In 2021, the Courage will look to win their third consecutive league title and deliver Osaka her first NWSL championship as an owner.
