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Portland Soccer: Timbers and Thorns
Backed by a city full of fans, the Portland Timbers and Thorns have got game.
John Patrick Pullen
Welcome to Soccer City, USA. This nickname, bestowed back when professional soccer rose to stateside prominence in the 1970s, encapsulates the football fever that’s long run rampant in Portland — whether there’s been a major league team here or not.
Portland Soccer: Teams & Titles
Since 2011, when the Portland Timbers became Major League Soccer’s (MLS) 18th franchise, the name has rung truer than ever — especially after the Timbers became national champions in 2015, when they defeated the Columbus Crew to claim the MLS Cup. (The team returned to the championship game in 2022 but ultimately lost to New York City FC.) The Timbers’ season runs from March–October.
Meanwhile, the Portland Thorns FC — whose season now runs from March–November as well, following a league-wide schedule expansion in 2024 — joined the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2013 and went on to win the league’s first championship. When the Thorns snagged two more NWSL titles in 2017 and 2022, Portland’s claim became undeniable.
Both squads take the pitch at Providence Park in Goose Hollow, a Portland landmark that underwent a $38.5 million renovation in 2001 to make it footie-friendly. An additional $85 million expansion completed in 2019 added about 4,000 seats (bringing the total capacity over 25,000) and a new street-level colonnade. The field is not only within walking distance of downtown hotels, it can also be reached via multiple modes of public transportation, including the MAX Light Rail.
A Culture of Football Fandom
“We’ve got something that’s rare in Major League Soccer,” says Timbers owner Merritt Paulson, “a soccer-specific stadium that’s in the heart of the city.” Not to mention one that’s filled with the country’s biggest fans, many of whom belong to the die-hard Timbers Army and Rose City Riveters, unofficial boosters who have been following the teams for decades. On game nights, they fill the stands and remain on their feet, cheering wildly and singing heartily, the entire game.
The atmosphere here is… very organic, in the spirit of Portland, and it’s something that is fan-generated. It’s special.
Portland Timbers Owner Merritt Paulson
“The atmosphere here is one that a lot of teams are trying to create,” says Paulson. “This has been very organic, in the spirit of Portland, and it’s something that is fan-generated. It’s special.”
107IST: The Timbers Army and Rose City Riveters
The Timbers Army and Rose City Riveters celebrate the Portland spirit in their travel guide, which instructs fans on the best way to eat, drink and wander around their team’s home territory. Check out their favorite spots around town, including the Portland Saturday Market and iconic Powell’s City of Books. Recommendations for a pre-match activity include a ride on the Portland Spirit, a Science Pub at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), or a roller derby game with the Rose City Rollers. For a bite and a beverage, they steer fans toward Portland’s iconic food cart scene or flourishing Distillery Row, among other delicious options.
The spirit is convivial, but there’s no doubt: Winning is everything to these fans, who wear scarves that say “No Pity” and shout chants all match long — especially against the Timbers’ arch-rivals, the Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps, with whom they battle for the Cascadia Cup. As you might imagine, soccer tickets sell out quickly in Portland. But if you get shut out, don’t fret. Pull up a barstool instead because the game will likely be on every TV in town.
Spots for a Pregame Pint Near Providence Park
If you’re in need of more than 90 minutes of entertainment, there are plenty of great bars near Providence Park where you can pregame the match. Great for those looking for a wide variety of brews, the brightly lit Civic Taproom and Bottle Shop awaits just steps from the stadium. Civic’s 22 continually rotating taps dole out more than a dozen beers, plus numerous ciders and wines. Savor a slice of Celtic spirit at Kells Brewery, only a 10-minute walk from Providence Park. This Irish-style pub offers cozy ambiance, traditional Irish fare and a diverse selection of house-brewed beers, ranging from session ales to chocolaty stouts. Goose Hollow Inn is a neighborhood watering hole that’s been serving up Reubens and pints since 1967 — when you’ve had your fill, the stadium is just a few blocks away.
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Find more stadium-adjacent spots to share a beer or a bite with other fans of the beautiful game.
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