Soccer Made In Portland

The Portland Thorns’ road ahead is simple: win a home game vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday, and you’re in the championship match in San Diego the following week. But the task itself is far from simple, as Gotham comes in playing lights-out footy and the Thorns have been off for three weeks reflecting on a rough loss to finish off the regular season. This week on Soccer Made in Portland, an Oregonian Sports podcast, Chris and Ryan preview Portland vs. Gotham in the NWSL semifinals, breaking down the personnel choices coach Mike Norris will have to make and eyeing specific positional matchups. Plus, a discussion on the NWSL MVP race, which includes both Sam Coffey and Sophia Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Decision Day didn’t go as planned for the Portland Timbers, who are out of the postseason for the second consecutive year. Where does the club go from here, with general manager Ned Grabavoy eyeing plenty of change ahead in the offseason?This week on Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan look back at what went wrong in 2023 for the Timbers, but primarily look at what changes are already happening and others that could be on the horizon in the coming months. After several years of continuity ran their course, this roster is expected to experience a much-needed overhaul, and a new coach is on the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns lost out on yet another shield on the final day of the regular season. Are they going to turn it around come playoff time and capture a second consecutive NWSL title?And with a win-and-they’re-in scenario ahead of the Portland Timbers against Houston, how could it all play out in a messy Western Conference?This week on Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan break down what fell apart for the Thorns in a 5-1 drubbing at Angel City, and look ahead to a make-or-break weekend for the Timbers against the Dynamo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns are a win away from capturing another NWSL shield, heading down to Los Angeles for the final match of the regular season against Angel City FC. The Portland Timbers faltered in Montreal, but their postseason hopes remain alive with one match left against Houston on Oct. 21.   This week on Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan look back on the weekend of games for PTFC, examine what lies ahead for the Thorns vs. Angel City, and break down Alaska Airlines’ decision to end its longstanding sponsorship deal with the Timbers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Timbers and Thorns each have two matches left in the regular season, and both are in the playoff hunt. It’s exciting times in the Rose City as October arrives. This week on Soccer Made in Portland, special guest co-host Alex Barnes of Stumptown Footy joins the show to discuss the Timbers’ recent form and potentially dynasty-altering moments ahead for the Thorns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fall is here, and with it comes good fortune for the Portland Timbers and Thorns. The Timbers have won three in a row and are 4-1-1 under interim coach Miles Joseph, surging back into the playoff picture. The Thorns, meanwhile, are back atop the NWSL standings after dispatching Megan Rapinoe and OL Reign, 2-0, with just three matches remaining. Cozy up with your hot cocoa, comfy sweater and a nice blankie over your feeties, and enjoy this week's episode of Soccer Made in Portland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns have one of their biggest matches of the season Saturday as Megan Rapinoe and OL Reign come to town. The Portland Timbers aim to build on an impressive 2-0 win over LAFC with a strong result on the road at Austin FC on Sunday, and they will be missing Diego Chará.   On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan discuss what could be described as the best performance of the season for the Timbers, who look like they have new life under interim coach Miles Joseph. On the Thorns’ side, every point counts with four games to go, and the legacy of Rapinoe’s relationship with Portland will be in the spotlight as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NWSL season is getting down to the final stretch, and the Portland Thorns hope to leave a bad performance in Louisville behind them. The Portland Timbers, meanwhile, just want to put together a full 90 minutes of quality play. The final 45 against Seattle over the weekend need to be bottled.   On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan break down the Timbers’ comeback draw at the Sounders, look ahead to LAFC, and wade into Messi-mania. On the Thorns side, they chat about the “concerning” performance at Racing Louisville, examine Portland’s remaining schedule, and reflect on Megan Rapinoe’s upcoming final match at Providence Park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns can breathe a sigh of relief with Sophia Smith’s injury not as serious as some feared. And the Portland Timbers can do the same after a much-needed win and bounce back performance for Santiago Moreno.   On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan discuss how tactical shifts have solidified the Thorns ahead of a late-season run to the playoffs, and how the team will fare without Smith for a few weeks. Plus, they encourage Timbers fans to just say no to “hopium.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It has been a rollercoaster of emotions in 48 hours for fans of the Portland Timbers and Thorns. The Timbers got trounced in Houston; the Thorns pulled out a signature, 2-1 win over North Carolina despite being down a player for nearly the entire match; and coach Giovanni Savarese and the Timbers parted ways. On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, co-hosts Ryan Clarke and Chris Rifer break down the Savarese firing and what it means for the Timbers’ future. Later, they revel in the Thorns’ resilience (and greatness) as the reigning NWSL champs enter the home stretch. And for the final half hour of the show, a special guest: Thorns and Canada women’s national team forward Janine Beckie jumps on the pod to discuss her recovery from a torn ACL, analyze the 2023 FIFA World Cup, articulate Canada players’ fight for equity, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It wasn’t just the Portland Timbers and Thorns who took some time off: Soccer Made in Portland co-host Chris Rifer did, too. Although he was running, eating and sipping his way through Italy. A familiar experience for co-host Ryan Clarke, save for the running.   On this week’s episode, Chris and Ryan examine what can be gleaned from the Timbers’ form in Leagues Cup, and the storylines heading into the final 11 matches of the 2023 season. A potential dynasty hangs in the balance for the Thorns with just seven matches to go in the regular season, and they are getting some of their World Cup participants back ahead of a battle for first place on Sunday vs. North Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Timbers added three new faces in the summer transfer window: defender Miguel Araujo, midfielder Bryan Acosta, and winger Antony. Now, the club is looking to the future with an eye on building out the roster even further with a lot of potential moving parts.   On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, host Ryan Clarke sits down with Timbers general manager Ned Grabavoy to discuss the summer window, the upcoming offseason, potential MLS roster rules changes, and top-secret pizza recipes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns shared an update on their forthcoming sale, the Portland Timbers advanced in Leagues Cup, and the USWNT continues to underwhelm on the World Cup stage.   On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Oregonian sports columnist and noted visitor of local libraries Bill Oram joins the show. Oram and Ryan Clarke discuss what we learned from the long-awaited Thorns sale update, Timbers results and roster moves at the transfer deadline, and an ingenious four-year-old’s World Cup pick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Timbers honored Diego Valeri with an emotional, rollercoaster win over the Columbus Crew on Saturday. And with no games on the docket last week, the Portland Thorns are speaking out about training conditions and calling for a switch to grass at Providence Park along with their own training facility.   On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris discuss the Thorns’ move toward a new training facility, what it means for the ownership situation, and why it matters to players. Later on, the conversation shifts to the Timbers’ 3-2 win over Columbus and what to expect from the first iteration of Leagues Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns are on a two-game losing skid without their World Cup participants. The Portland Timbers are struggling to climb back into the playoff picture, and the status of Santiago Moreno after a transfer request remains uncertain.   On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan break down the Thorns’ loss to Gotham and look ahead to a potential dynasty-defining stretch: how will role players develop in this crucial run of games this summer?   Oh, yeah, and the Timbers played a match. Sort of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Timbers face a crossroads in their season: midfielder Santiago Moreno has requested a transfer.   On this week’s emergency episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan make siren noises and discuss what Moreno’s request means for the Timbers — and coach Giovanni Savarese — moving forward. Are there culture issues bubbling over with this team? Is Savarese’s seat growing warmer as a result of his now public rift with Moreno?   Plus, what can we glean from the Thorns’ odd 1-0 loss to the Kansas City Current despite their lop-sided shots advantage? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a World Cup sendoff that was for Portland Thorns star Sophia Smith.   A hat trick for the reigning NWSL MVP propelled Portland to a 4-2 win over the Washington Spirit last weekend, and now the Thorns press on without Smith and five other World Cup participants.   On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan discuss Smith’s dominant outing and the big tests coming up for Mike Norris and company. They also break down the Timbers’ 1-1 draw against NYCFC, Evander’s suspension for a slap in the face, and Dario Zuparic’s comments about how the Timbers have chosen to build their roster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Timbers are who we thought they were. At least that’s how Soccer Made in Portland co-host Chris Rifer sees it. On this week’s episode, Rifer and Ryan Clarke discuss the Timbers’ sputtering loss to the Chicago Fire and diagnose the myriad issues facing a team that sits outside the MLS Cup playoff picture. Before that, though, plenty to talk about with the Portland Thorns’ recent run of play, which has not lived up to the club’s championship standards. Plus, a 2023 FIFA World Cup preview for the USWNT and other nations! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns earned their biggest win of the season, 2-0 over OL Reign on Saturday in Seattle. The Timbers, meanwhile, played in one of the least interesting games of the season, a 0-0 draw with the Sounders. But, hey! Look! It’s Lionel Messi! On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris discuss the Thorns’ statement victory, the ugliness of the Timbers’ draw, and what Messi coming to MLS means for the league’s future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns got a big win in the NWSL Challenge Cup on Wednesday thanks to a clutch goal from Morgan Weaver. The Portland Timbers, meanwhile, hit a low point (so far) in what has been a difficult season, falling 4-1 on Sunday against Sporting Kansas City.   On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris break down a crucial three points for the Thorns against Angel City and analyze the midfield balance, the Thorns’ ability to hang on to leads, and more. Plus, a glorious 20 seconds of positivity from Chris about the Timbers prior to... *gasp* ...critical analysis! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices