Soccer Made in Portland

By The Oregonian/OregonLive

What's Soccer Made in Portland about?

A weekly Portland Timbers and Thorns podcast hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive's beat reporter, Ryan Clarke, and supporter and longtime blogger Chris Rifer.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Soccer Made in Portland episodes:

04.19.2024
Thorns reassign Mike Norris, 10-man Timbers tie LAFC
Big move on the coaching front: the Portland Thorns are moving Mike Norris into the front office and Rob Gale into the interim coach role. How will the global search for a permanent gaffer play out?On this week’s episode, Chris...
04.11.2024
Tale of two halves for the Timbers
It’s been a trend all season: one good half, one rough half for the Portland Timbers. Saturday’s 3-3 draw with SKC was a nice turnaround, but how can Portland put together a complete performance? Chris Rifer and Ryan Clarke break it...
04.03.2024
Recapping a rough three weeks for the Timbers and Thorns
Ever since Soccer Made in Portland co-host Ryan Clarke left for a vacation to South Korea and Japan, it’s been rough sailing for the Portland Timbers and Thorns. This begs the question: is it his fault? On this week’s episode, Ryan...
03.13.2024
Thorns season preview, Timbers’ dramatic win in NYC
It’s officially Thorns o’clock, Rose City. The Portland Thorns open their season on Saturday at the KC Current. This week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland has a full season preview. Plus, co-hosts Ryan Clarke and Chris Rifer recap last weekend’s dramatic...
03.07.2024
Germán Berterame rumors heat up, Timbers drop points vs. D.C. United
Is silly season extending into the actual season? The Portland Timbers are reportedly hot on the trail of Argentine striker Germán Berterame with a $15 million bid, but is the deal going to get done? And what of the apparent other...
03.01.2024
Timbers drop DaBella sponsorship, pick up a big win in opener
The Phil Neville era with the Portland Timbers is off to a great start on the field. A 4-1 win over the Colorado Rapids in the opener showed plenty of quality, but can the Timbers bottle that up and keep...
02.15.2024
Timbers 2024 season preview, Thorns check-in
It’s getting real, folks. The Portland Timbers’ 2024 season starts next week, and Soccer Made in Portland has you covered with all the latest ahead of Portland’s Feb. 24 season-opener at home against the Colorado Rapids. Plus, co-hosts Chris Rifer and...
01.25.2024
Thorns make some moves, Timbers preseason approaches
The Portland Thorns re-signed veteran contributors, traded away a fan favorite, and are reportedly bringing in a newcomer for a major fee. The offseason is offseason-ing! On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, an Oregonian Sports podcast, Ryan and...
01.05.2024
Thorns sale finalized, Timbers offseason picks up
The Portland Thorns have been sold to the Bhathal family. The Portland Timbers have made their first big move of the offseason, bringing in a new center back. And winter rolls along as PTFC enters a new era in 2024. On...
12.20.2023
Debriefing the Timbers' and Thorns' offseason so far, plus what needs to happen next
The Portland Thorns and Timbers are in the midst of two crucial offseasons. But what all has happened so far, and what more needs to happen for both teams to contend in 2024? On a holiday episode of Soccer Made in...
11.09.2023
Thorns post-mortem, Phil Neville’s introductory presser
The Portland Thorns will not play for the NWSL championship in 2023 following a 1-0 loss to Gotham FC in the NWSL semis. After an up-and-down season, they face an uncertain offseason with the team’s sale looming and plenty of...
11.04.2023
EMERGENCY POD: Timbers set to hire Phil Neville
The Portland Timbers are in the final stages of hiring Phil Neville as their next head coach. In an emergency episode of Soccer Made in Portland, Chris Rifer and Ryan Clarke discuss the merits of the hire, how the Portland soccer...
11.02.2023
Previewing the Thorns’ semifinal matchup with Gotham
The Portland Thorns’ road ahead is simple: win a home game vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday, and you’re in the championship match in San Diego the following week. But the task itself is far from simple, as Gotham comes...
10.27.2023
Timbers 2023 post-mortem
Decision Day didn’t go as planned for the Portland Timbers, who are out of the postseason for the second consecutive year. Where does the club go from here, with general manager Ned Grabavoy eyeing plenty of change ahead in the...
10.20.2023
Thorns whiff, Timbers have it on a tee
The Portland Thorns lost out on yet another shield on the final day of the regular season. Are they going to turn it around come playoff time and capture a second consecutive NWSL title?And with a win-and-they’re-in scenario ahead of...
10.11.2023
Timbers teeter, Thorns on the brink of a shield
The Portland Thorns are a win away from capturing another NWSL shield, heading down to Los Angeles for the final match of the regular season against Angel City FC. The Portland Timbers faltered in Montreal, but their postseason hopes remain alive with one match...
10.06.2023
The home stretch is here for the Timbers and Thorns
The Portland Timbers and Thorns each have two matches left in the regular season, and both are in the playoff hunt. It’s exciting times in the Rose City as October arrives. This week on Soccer Made in Portland, special guest co-host...
09.21.2023
Feelin' good on a Thursday
Fall is here, and with it comes good fortune for the Portland Timbers and Thorns. The Timbers have won three in a row and are 4-1-1 under interim coach Miles Joseph, surging back into the playoff picture. The Thorns, meanwhile,...
09.15.2023
Timbers’ big win over LAFC, Thorns face Megan Rapinoe and OL Reign
The Portland Thorns have one of their biggest matches of the season Saturday as Megan Rapinoe and OL Reign come to town. The Portland Timbers aim to build on an impressive 2-0 win over LAFC with a strong result on the road at Austin FC on Sunday, and...
09.07.2023
Timbers show life in Seattle, Thorns slip up in loss to Louisville
The NWSL season is getting down to the final stretch, and the Portland Thorns hope to leave a bad performance in Louisville behind them. The Portland Timbers, meanwhile, just want to put together a full 90 minutes of quality play. The final 45...
08.31.2023
Thorns in strong form, Timbers and Moreno bounce back
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...
08.22.2023
Gio Savarese fired by the Timbers, a signature win for the Thorns, and special guest Janine Beckie!
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...
08.18.2023
Chris is back to discuss Timbers’ form, Thorns entering home stretch
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...
08.09.2023
Ned Grabavoy talks transfer window, future moves, pizza recipes
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...
08.02.2023
Bill Oram talks Thorns sale update, MLS transfer deadline, World Cup
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...
07.20.2023
Thorns players speak out on turf, Timbers pick up an emotional win
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...
07.13.2023
Thorns drop another one, Santiago Moreno drama continues
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,...
07.06.2023
EMERGENCY POD: Santiago Moreno requests a transfer
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...
06.30.2023
Sophia Smith goes nuclear, Timbers sign their center back
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...
06.22.2023
Timbers show who they really are, Thorns say goodbye to World Cup players
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...
06.08.2023
Thorns earn a signature win, MLS lands Lionel Messi
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!...
06.01.2023
Morgan Weaver’s ‘scorpion flick,’ the Timbers hit a low point
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...
05.25.2023
When the critics get too critical
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...
05.18.2023
Timbers can turn it around, Thorns in a weird stretch
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...
05.11.2023
Timbers flailing, Thorns seeking better defense
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....
05.04.2023
Bella Bixby is the hero the Thorns needed
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...
04.27.2023
Ryan and Emma found a bird’s nest
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...
04.20.2023
Give Chris a billion dollars, let’s see what happens
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...
04.13.2023
The Portland Thorns have a new forward in the mix for a few months: Canadian international Adriana Leon
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...
04.13.2023
Thorns bring in a new forward, Timbers getting healthier
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...
04.06.2023
Timbers at a potential turning point, Thorns keep getting better
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,...
03.29.2023
The ever-growing chasm between the Thorns and Timbers
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...
03.23.2023
The Timbers are struggling mightily. What should we expect from them this season?
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....
03.17.2023
Sophia Smith wants to destroy the world with her right foot
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...
03.09.2023
New Thorns kit, preseason tournament preview
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...
03.02.2023
Timbers home opener recap, plus some Blazers banter
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...
02.16.2023
Portland Timbers season preview, plus a Gio Savarese interview
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...
02.07.2023
Interview with new Thorns coach Mike Norris
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...
02.02.2023
An interview with Timbers GM Ned Grabavoy
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...
01.27.2023
Interview with new Timbers and Thorns CEO Heather Davis
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...

What's Soccer Made in Portland about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Soccer Made in Portland episodes:

Thorns reassign Mike Norris, 10-man Timbers tie LAFC

Tale of two halves for the Timbers

Recapping a rough three weeks for the Timbers and Thorns

Thorns season preview, Timbers’ dramatic win in NYC

Germán Berterame rumors heat up, Timbers drop points vs. D.C. United

Timbers drop DaBella sponsorship, pick up a big win in opener

Timbers 2024 season preview, Thorns check-in

Thorns make some moves, Timbers preseason approaches

Thorns sale finalized, Timbers offseason picks up

Debriefing the Timbers' and Thorns' offseason so far, plus what needs to happen next

Thorns post-mortem, Phil Neville’s introductory presser

EMERGENCY POD: Timbers set to hire Phil Neville

Previewing the Thorns’ semifinal matchup with Gotham

Timbers 2023 post-mortem

Thorns whiff, Timbers have it on a tee

Timbers teeter, Thorns on the brink of a shield

The home stretch is here for the Timbers and Thorns

Feelin' good on a Thursday

Timbers’ big win over LAFC, Thorns face Megan Rapinoe and OL Reign

Timbers show life in Seattle, Thorns slip up in loss to Louisville

Thorns in strong form, Timbers and Moreno bounce back

Gio Savarese fired by the Timbers, a signature win for the Thorns, and special guest Janine Beckie!

Chris is back to discuss Timbers’ form, Thorns entering home stretch

Ned Grabavoy talks transfer window, future moves, pizza recipes

Bill Oram talks Thorns sale update, MLS transfer deadline, World Cup

Thorns players speak out on turf, Timbers pick up an emotional win

Thorns drop another one, Santiago Moreno drama continues

EMERGENCY POD: Santiago Moreno requests a transfer

Sophia Smith goes nuclear, Timbers sign their center back

Timbers show who they really are, Thorns say goodbye to World Cup players

Thorns earn a signature win, MLS lands Lionel Messi

Morgan Weaver’s ‘scorpion flick,’ the Timbers hit a low point

When the critics get too critical

Timbers can turn it around, Thorns in a weird stretch

Timbers flailing, Thorns seeking better defense

Bella Bixby is the hero the Thorns needed

Ryan and Emma found a bird’s nest

Give Chris a billion dollars, let’s see what happens

The Portland Thorns have a new forward in the mix for a few months: Canadian international Adriana Leon

Thorns bring in a new forward, Timbers getting healthier

Timbers at a potential turning point, Thorns keep getting better

The ever-growing chasm between the Thorns and Timbers

The Timbers are struggling mightily. What should we expect from them this season?

Sophia Smith wants to destroy the world with her right foot

New Thorns kit, preseason tournament preview

Timbers home opener recap, plus some Blazers banter

Portland Timbers season preview, plus a Gio Savarese interview

Interview with new Thorns coach Mike Norris

An interview with Timbers GM Ned Grabavoy

Interview with new Timbers and Thorns CEO Heather Davis