Soccer Made in Portland

Latest Episodes:

Sophia Smith wants to destroy the world with her right foot Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

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

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-- Andrew Theen

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New Thorns kit, preseason tournament preview Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

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

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Timbers home opener recap, plus some Blazers banter Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

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

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Portland Timbers season preview, plus a Gio Savarese interview Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

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

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Interview with new Thorns coach Mike Norris Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

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

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An interview with Timbers GM Ned Grabavoy Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

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

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Interview with new Timbers and Thorns CEO Heather Davis Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

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

-- Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke

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NWSL draft preview, a pair of PTFC hires Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

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

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Remembering Grant Wahl, breaking down the NWSL report, looking ahead to 2023 Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

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

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Reaction to the Merritt Paulson news, Rhian Wilkinson's resignation and Evander's record signing Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

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

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