Portland’s Providence Park is seen before the Portland Timbers take on Austin FC in an MLS regular-season game on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Photo by Naji Saker for The Oregonian/OregonLiveNaji Saker for The Oregonian/OregonLive

Walking into the office for a regular meeting in 2019, Blair Neelands approached her boss, Portland Timbers and Thorns executive Mike Golub, and reached out to shake his hand. She says what happened next caught her off guard.

“He steps on the toe of my left foot and pushes me back with his shoulder,” Neelands said. “I stumble backwards and fall. And he’s laughing. It’s just completely childish behavior from a grown man, just to ensure his subordinates know where they stand with him.”

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