Our Sporting Past

The Portland Fire Is Back: Local Sports Teams Then and Now

You know the Blazers, Timbers, Thorns, and (soon-to-be-resurrected) Fire. But what about the Buckaroos, Rosebuds, and Forest Dragons?

07/15/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Soccer City, USA

A Word from Timber Jim, the Man with the Chainsaw

Approaching the 50th anniversary of the Portland Timbers’ first game, its original hype man reflects on his legacy.

02/18/2025 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Soccer

The Portland Thorns 2024 Schedule Is Finally Here

Dunn decamped, Bixby has a baby on the way, and Menges migrated south, but Kling, Sinc, Weaver, Sauerbrunn, Smith, Moultrie, and the rest will kick off March 16.

01/25/2024 By Margaret Seiler

Downtime

What, Exactly, Will Elite Thorns Soccer Players Do All Winter?

Yes, that might have been Reyna Reyes you saw at the Hawthorne New Seasons.

11/17/2023 By Ellee Thalheimer

Ballers

Where (and When) to Watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Portland

We did the time zone math for you on when to watch soccer superstars kick off. Get ready to stay up late.

07/19/2023 By Margaret Seiler

BAONPDX

Portland Thorns and Other Local Connections at the Women’s World Cup

Who to root for throughout the tournament, where Soccer City, USA, will be fabulously well represented on the field

07/17/2023 By Margaret Seiler

La Grande to the Filipinas

Another Oregon Connection at the Women’s World Cup 2023

The Thorns aren’t the only links to home to keep track of this summer.

05/19/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Soccer

Portland Soccer at a Crossroads for Timbers and Thorns Fans

As the scandals pile up and a sale looms for the once-heralded sports organization, what’s next for the fans who love the players and the game?

02/25/2023 By Sam Stites

Soccer

The NWSL Soccer 2023 Schedule Is Finally Here—Portland Thorns’ First Home Game Is March 26

The long wait is over, and fans can finally mark their calendars for home games at Providence Park.

02/08/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Soccer

Portland Thorns Name Mike Norris, an Assistant in 2022, as New Head Coach

Just ahead of the NWSL Draft, the native of Newcastle, England, replaces Rhian Wilkinson, who resigned in December.

01/10/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Movers & Shakers

Perfect Party: Winter 2022

From Pinocchio to Ryan Reynolds, here’s who we’re inviting to the dinner table to warm us up this season.

12/21/2022 By Conner Reed

Soccer

Portland Thorns Coach Rhian Wilkinson to Resign

Just a year after her hiring, the Canadian soccer coach reported a relationship with a player to the club and league. While an investigation cleared her of wrongdoing, she says she has lost the players’ confidence and that they asked for her resignation.

12/02/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Sports on TV

Where to Watch the Qatar 2022 World Cup in Portland, with Game Schedule

Some bars will open early for soccer games, while some open at 7 a.m. year-round. And it's the last hurrah for Toffee Club, which will close in December.

11/19/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Book Review

Portland Thorns Captain Christine Sinclair on Her New Memoir, ‘Playing the Long Game’

The famously private Canadian gold medalist, goal-scoring world record holder, and University of Portland alum has some strong words for her country, but only love for her adopted hometown.

11/03/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Soccer

Portland Thorns Win Their Third NWSL Championship

‘This is a product of our joy.’

10/30/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Soccer

Where to Watch the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Final on Saturday, October 29

6 local bars are official ‘pub partners’ of the soccer team, including the Sports Bra and Prost!, and will be showing the game on CBS.

10/27/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Soccer

The Portland Thorns Are Going to the NWSL Championship

A stoppage-time goal from Crystal Dunn gives Portland the win over San Diego, and a ticket to the final on October 29 in Washington, DC.

10/24/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Soccer

Merritt Paulson Steps Down as CEO of the Portland Thorns and Timbers

The announcement follows a scathing report that detailed cover-ups of abuse within Thorns club and across the NWSL.

10/11/2022 By Sam Stites

Soccer

The Sally Yates Report on ‘Systemic’ Abuses in Women’s Soccer Is Out. And It’s Bad.

The answers to who knew what, when, appear to be everyone, and early—including Thorns and Timbers owner Merritt Paulson and exec Gavin Wilkinson.

10/04/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Art

Portland Artist Creates ‘Neon Terror’ Image of Local Sports Figures

Neon Black Tiger’s love for sports brings a bright and scary approach to portraits and cards of Portland athletes.

06/10/2022 Edited by Dalila Brent