Suspended Pride coach Amanda Cromwell fired by NWSL

The fallout is continuing after the release of a report into misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League with the NWSL on Monday dismissing suspended Orlando Pride coach Amanda Cromwell and an assistant following an investigation into retaliatory behavior.

“We would like to thank our players, staff and the Joint Investigative Team for their commitment to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation,” Pride chairman Mark Wilf said in a media release. “Our organization has received a review of the findings regarding retaliatory conduct toward Pride players and supports the actions taken by the National Women’s Soccer League, including the league’s decision to terminate the contracts of Amanda Cromwell and Sam Greene, effective immediately.”

First-year Pride coach Cromwell from UCLA and Greene had been placed on temporary administrative leave in early June by the NWSL, pending an investigation into a violation of the NWSL discrimination, harassment and bullying policy for “alleged retaliation.”

Under interim coach Seb Hines, a former Orlando City player, the Pride finished in 10th place (5-10-7, 22 points). The Pride went 1-5-5 at home.

“Our club is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment,” Wilf said, “and we apologize to our players who may have experienced otherwise. We are committed to learning from this process as we continue to build and grow the Pride into the premier organization our players and fans deserve. As a step in that process, we will be implementing anti-retaliation training for all Pride staff members, on both the Soccer Operations side and in the front office.”

Elsewhere in the NWSL, players for the Chicago Red Stars have called on owner Arnim Whisler to sell his stake in the team following the disturbing report.

The players issued a joint statement Monday, a move that comes after the Red Stars’ board of directors voted last week to remove Whisler as chairman and forbid him from participation in team operations.

“We are united with the Board of Directors in their decision to remove Whisler from the organization entirely and look forward to finding a new majority owner who can help us realize the full potential that we as players always knew existed for this club,” the players’ statement said.

Last week, former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Q. Yates released the report into allegations of abuse in the NWSL. Yates and the law firm King & Spaulding were retained by U.S. Soccer to investigate those claims.

The investigation found emotional abuse and sexual misconduct are systemic in the league.

“In well over 200 interviews, we heard report after report of relentless, degrading tirades; manipulation that was about power, not improving performance; and retaliation against those who attempted to come forward,” Yates wrote in her report. “Even more disturbing were the stories of sexual misconduct. Players described a pattern of sexually charged comments, unwanted sexual advances and sexual touching, and coercive sexual intercourse.”

The Yates report focused mainly on three teams — the Red Stars, the Portland Thorns and Racing Louisville — and how reports of inappropriate behavior were handled.

Chicago’s head coach, Rory Dames, resigned following the 2021 season when the Washington Post published allegations of verbal and emotional abuse.

Dames was one of five NWSL coaches who either were fired or resigned last season amid allegations of misconduct.

North Carolina coach Paul Riley, who had also been coach of the Thorns, was accused in September 2021 of sexual coercion and harassment by two former players. Riley was fired and NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird stepped down in the aftermath.

Riley was coach of the Thorns in 2014 and 2015. After the team looked into complaints about his behavior, Riley’s contract was not renewed and the Thorns reported the allegations to the NWSL’s front office. But Portland did not publicly reveal the reasons for their decision and Riley went on to coach elsewhere in the league. Riley denies the allegations.

In response to the Yates report, Portland dismissed two top executives. Owner Merritt Paulson also said he would no longer take an active role in the day-to-day operations of the team.

Thorns forward Sophia Smith, who is training with the U.S. national team for a match Tuesday in Spain, said she hoped the fans would turn out to the club’s playoff game Oct. 23. Her plea comes as some supporters have said they would not attend games.

“I think ultimately fans not showing up affects the players more than it affects anyone. Talking to some of my teammates, we would still really like people to show up and support us,” Smith said. “Because at the end of the day, even through all of this, we still have to step on the field and perform and play soccer. I think our biggest thing would be, is we want to do that in front of our fans because that’s one of the positive things that we have left in Portland and something that we always look forward to.”