Soccer Made In Portland

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

The Portland Timbers are near the bottom of MLS in points per game. The Portland Thorns broke out of their rut with a vengeance, beating Chicago 4-0 on Sunday ahead of a crucial matchup with San Diego on Friday.   On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan discuss whether the “critics” are being too critical of the Timbers, and what Sunday’s big win means for the Thorns’ fortunes in 2023. Plus, what does the future hold with so little buzz about the Thorns’ sale? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Timbers got two positive results and might be changing their fortunes thanks to Evander’s brilliance. The Portland Thorns, meanwhile, are lacking confidence and on three-game winless skid.   On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris discuss what it’s going to take for this positive regular-season stretch to be considered a turnaround for the Timbers. And they take a look at the Timbers’ salaries, released this week by the MLSPA. Plus, what’s wrong with the Thorns lately? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris lays it all out as plainly as he can: it was a rough week for a Timbers team that has yet to prove itself and sits on the playoff fringe. Plus, Chris and Ryan discuss the recent defensive issues for the Thorns. And is Sophia Smith somehow becoming even more dominant? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Timbers may be turning a corner despite continually dealing with injuries, and the Portland Thorns remain undefeated despite some imperfect performances as of late. On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris break down the Timbers’ win over St. Louis, examine what can be gleaned from Sportico’s $685 million valuation of PTFC, and relive the thrill of Bella Bixby’s back heel goal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Timbers are moving on in the U.S. Open Cup, but the jury is still out on this team after a tough regular-season loss to FC Cincinnati despite better form. On the other side, the Thorns are rolling and remain undefeated. Do the champs have any flaws? On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris discuss meeting each other in-person for the first time (yes, really) and recap the week gone by for PTFC. Plus, Ryan and Emma discovered a cute little bird’s nest in a planter outside their house! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Timbers throttled rival Seattle 4-1 on Saturday, a moment that could serve as a catalyst for a much-needed turnaround. The Thorns, meanwhile, are taking plenty of shots but not converting as many as they’d like. But no need to worry about the defending NWSL champs yet. On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan returns from Vegas to discuss the games he missed, and Chris provides his analysis of those matches while also pitching someone to give him a billion dollars. He would happily buy the Thorns with it, and would have a lot left over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns have a new forward in the mix for a few months: Canadian international Adriana Leon. The rich are getting richer, and they’re back on the field Friday against Houston after a nearly two-week international break. On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris discuss what to expect from Leon while she remains on loan with the Thorns. Plus, can the Timbers use a highly anticipated Seattle match to reverse their early season fortunes? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sophia Smith is a supernova for the Portland Thorns. Why isn’t she getting the recognition she deserves on the national stage? Will this World Cup be her breakthrough as an international sports icon? On the latest episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris discuss the Thorns’ convincing 4-1 win over Kansas City, and the Franck Boli-led Timbers’ well-earned 1-1 draw at FC Dallas. Could this be the moment the Timbers pick themselves up and turn things around? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices