Soccer Made In Portland

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

The Portland Thorns are already rolling, fresh off a 4-0 win over Orlando in the opener. Can they be stopped? Conversely, can the Timbers regain their confidence in the midst of injury and uninspired play?   On the latest episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris discuss the Thorns’ dominant win and the Timbers’ brutal 0-0 draw vs. the LA Galaxy. Plus, some unprecedented locker room drama on the Timbers side. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris discuss what to expect from this Thorns season, plus they recap the Timbers’ struggles. Are they backsliding to the middle tier of MLS? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s all systems go for the Thorns. Meanwhile, the Timbers are almost more injured than healthy. On the latest episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris talk about the Thorns brilliant form and the already doomsday-like feeling around the Timbers. Slap on some headphones and go on a walk and catch up with all things soccer. Timestamps: (0:00 - 5:00) - Matthew McConaughey and the worst MLS loss ever (5:00 - 25:00) - Timbers looking rough 25:00 - full time) - Thorns are in mid-season form Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you get your podcasts. -- Andrew Theen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns have a new kit, and it’s making waves with fans for its — bold — style. But hey, at least it’s not boring. On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan and Chris debate the controversial kit, preview the upcoming Thorns preseason tournament, and recap the Timbers’ recent game against LAFC. Timestamps: (0:00 - 5:45) Ryan’s Chianti-fueled trip to Italy (5:45 - 18:00) Philosophical debate on the new Thorns kit (18:00 - 35:00) Thorns preseason tournament preview (35:00 - full time) Timbers vs. LAFC game recap -- Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan’s in Italy, so this week’s Soccer Made in Portland is a crossover episode with the Sports by Northwest podcast. Bill Oram joins Chris Rifer to share some of his mind-blowing wisdom about all things soccer. On the roster: Bill and Chris discuss Bill’s pun game, how Chauncey Billups is doing so far as coach of the Blazers, the Timbers home opener, and the Thorns preseason tournament announcement. Timestamps: (0:00 - 2:20) Ryan’s Italian escapades (2:20 - 15:45) Blazers (15:45 - 20:00) Bill’s impressive soccer bona fides (20:00 - 51:00) Timbers home opener recap (51:00 - Full Time) Thorns preseason tournament announced -- Bill Oram, boram@oregonian.com, Twitter: @billoram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The MLS season is quickly approaching, and the Portland Timbers have new faces chasing the same old goal: Raising the cup. On the latest episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan Clarke and Chris Rifer go deep on the season to come. They hit on the Evander signing, Bill Tuiloma’s trade and much more. On the first half of the show, Ryan interviewed head coach Gio Savarese. Timestamps: (0:00 - 35:00) - Gio Savarese interview (35:00 - full time) - Portland Timbers season preview Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns are back from Bend, and the 2023 preseason is well underway. On the docket: trying to pick up the pieces after Rhian Wilkinson’s resignation, navigating the team’s sale after a flurry of off-field scandals, and repeat as NWSL champions. On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, new Thorns coach Mike Norris joins the show to discuss the team’s trip to Bend, how the group is gelling so far, his journey to becoming a first-year head coach, and a health update on reigning NWSL MVP Sophia Smith. Plus, at long last, the NWSL schedule is coming Wednesday. Timestamps: (0:00 - full time) Mike Norris interview -- Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Timbers have redemption on the mind entering 2023 after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. At the helm of the club’s soccer operations is Ned Grabavoy, a longtime MLS player turned essential member of the PTFC front office. Grabavoy brought the club-record Evander signing over the line in December, but it’s otherwise been a relatively quiet offseason for the Timbers. What’s next for Portland’s roster, particularly that previously discussed pursuit of a striker? How has Grabavoy been adjusting to the top job after Gavin Wilkinson was fired in October? What are the best condiments to put on a hot dog? Timestamps: (0:00 - full time) Ned Grabavoy interview Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Timbers and Thorns front office has a new leader: former general counsel Heather Davis. Davis makes history as the club’s first female CEO and the fifth woman leading a MLS front office, and she comes into the job with plenty of challenges after 16 consecutive months of scandal for PTFC. She will preside over the business and operations of the Timbers and — until Merritt Paulson sells — the Thorns. On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, co-hosts Ryan Clarke and Chris Rifer sit down for an interview with Davis to discuss her vision for the club’s future, how she squares the failures of Paulson and his past executives, her plans to reach out to Timbers and Thorns supporters, and her unique journey back home to Oregon. Timestamps: (0:00 - 24:00) Heather Davis interview (24:00 - 34:52) Pierre Soubrier and Sophie Clough fired by Thorns (34:52 - 41:15) Timbers Leagues Cup group revealed (42:38 - 50:00) Sebastián Blanco’s painful 2022 (50:00 - full time) Timbers offseason chugs along -- Rya

Is it okay to wish someone a happy New Year halfway into January? Are a pair of recent PTFC hires exciting enough for Thorns and Timbers fans? On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan debate when it’s time to stop wishing folks a happy New Year and discuss the NWSL draft, a couple of new PTFC hires, and their otherworldly experiences at a few Portland restaurants. Timestamps: (0:00 - 1:30) A debate on how far into a new year you’re allowed to say Happy New Year (1:30 - 18:45) Preview of the NWSL draft (18:45 - 30:45) Mike Norris hired as new Thorns head coach (30:45 - 41:55) Thorns fined $1 million by NWSL for outcome of NWSLPA investigation (41:55 - 50:40) Timbers promote Ned Grabavoy to General Manager (50:40 - full time) Fawning over Kann Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the final pod of 2022. And what a year it has been. The Thorns won the championship, the Timbers narrowly missed the playoffs, and the club found itself embroiled in constant controversy right up until year’s end. As the dust settles and Soccer City looks ahead to 2023, hosts Ryan Clarke and Chris Rifer look back at the big on- and off-field storylines for PTFC. Plus, Ryan and Chris break down the damning details of the NWSL report and pay tribute to soccer journalism legend Grant Wahl. Timestamps: (0:00 - 2:00) Major storylines of 2022 (2:00- 10:00) Grant Wahl tribute (10:00 - 34:00) NWSL investigation breakdown (34:00 - 54:00) Timbers offseason talk (54:00 - full time) Closing thoughts Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a rare occasion when a club-record signing isn’t the top story. It’s especially rare when it isn’t in the top two stories, and it’s not particularly close to the importance of either story above it. So it goes for those following the latest developments for PTFC. In a span of 24 hours, Merritt Paulson announced he is selling the Portland Thorns, and Thorns coach Rhian Wilkinson resigned after an investigation cleared her of an inappropriate relationship with a player. On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan discuss the two major stories of the week around PTFC. Plus, Evander signing with the Timbers for a club-record fee! Very normal tertiary topic! Timestamps: (0:00 - 21:00) Merritt Paulson selling the Thorns (21:00- 44:00) Rhian Wilkinson resigns (44:00 - full time) Evander joins the Timbers Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s silly season. Or should it be sicko season? On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan discuss the Timbers’ and Thorns’ offseason so far, Thanksgiving side dishes, draft their pickup basketball dream team, and define what it means to be a true soccer sicko. Timestamps: (0:00 - 10:00) Thanksgiving side dish power rankings (10:00- 35:00) Timbers offseason update (35:00 - 51:00) Thorns offseason update (52:00 - full time) Listener questions Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns are the 2022 NWSL champions, capping an historic season with a league-best third title. They overcame plenty of challenges on and off the field, finding joy where other teams may have collapsed. On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan break down what made this Thorns team special, analyze the 2-0 win over Kansas City in the final, and look ahead to the future for Portland as it pursues a repeat. Plus, some Timbers offseason talk! And a brief, Cubano-fueled review of Triangle of Sadness! Timestamps: (0:00 - 43:30) Thorns championship recap, reflecting on greatness (43:59 - full time) Timbers pursuing Evander, other moves Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns head to Washington, DC for another chance at a title. Are the Thorns a team of destiny? On the latest episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris and Ryan recap the thrilling 2-1 victory over San Diego, and they look ahead to the NWSL championship match against Kansas City. Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s playoff week for the Portland Thorns. A tough, surging team comes to town as Alex Morgan, Naomi Girma and Taylor Kornieck lead the San Diego Wave into a semifinal matchup with Portland on Sunday. The backdrop of the fallout from the U.S. soccer investigation looms large over Soccer City. On the Timbers side, a few small roster moves and some drama stemming from their regular season finale highlight the early portion of the offseason. Hosts Ryan Clarke and Chris Rifer discuss it all at length in this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland. Timestamps: (0:00 - 35:00) Thorns playoff preview (35:00 - full time) Timbers offseason questions Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you listen to podcasts to hear the latest episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The results of the U.S. Soccer investigation. Gavin Wilkinson and Mike Golub’s firings. Fans calling for the sale of both teams. Sponsors dropping out and applying pressure. Merritt Paulson stepping down as CEO. Vladimir Lenin once said there are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen. That rang true for the Portland Thorns and Timbers over a span of eight October days, and it’s been a lot for fans and other stakeholders to process. On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, hosts Ryan Clarke and Chris Rifer discuss the flood of news out of PTFC and where the club’s future resides. They reflect on institutional changes, the power of speaking out, Portland’s soccer identity and more. Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been one of the most remarkable weeks in Portland Timbers and Thorns history and it's not yet Friday. On the latest episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Ryan chats with The Oregonian/OregonLive's sports columnist, Bill Oram. They addressed the U.S. Soccer investigation, the fallout and where Bill thinks PTFC goes from here. Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Thorns play for the NWSL shield again Saturday. But the club is building something potentially more special in the process. On the latest episode of Soccer Made in Portland, hosts Ryan Clarke and Chris Rifer discuss the Gotham FC match, the overlooked Thorns defense and a few Timbers-related items. Timestamps: (0:00 - 35:00) Portland Thorns play for the shield (35:00 - full time) Timbers talk Subscribe to Soccer Made in Portland anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices