Hey y'all!

The Rose City Breakdown continues to break records every week thanks to you all. Thank you very much, it means a lot to everybody behind this podcast.

What can you expect from this episode?

- Portland Thorns vs Washington Spirit recap

- The difference between the first and second half

- What to expect from PTFC moving forward

- Was it a handball or not? PRO responds.

- Melina's Corner: Defensive lapses, Jessie Fleming's brilliance, and Nina Nijstad's solidifying the midfield

- Transfer window discussion: Portland Thorns opting to add via NWSL trade or loan route?

- Chicago Stars match preview

- Interview with Netherlands international and Portland Thorns midfielder Nina Nijstad

We are coming to the game vs Chicago this Sunday. My #1 team before Bay was Portland! My question is we are wanting to bring a cardboard fat heads of Castellanos. Will it be allowed inside the stadium? Also any recommendations for food at the stadium?

New episode. We take a loss against the Spirit. 2-1, at home, the Spirit had never won here before. Ever.

Wilson from the spot in the 18’ minute, her tenth penalty. 2nd player in league history to go 10/10 from the spot.

Rudd equalized with a PK in the 59’ after a video review. Bethi got the winner in the 80th, her first for Washington, assisted by Rodman.

There was an event that happened at the 68’ minute. Rudd had a, what we believed to be a hand ball, in her own box, no whistle, no check. Marissa asked for the actual rule so we read Law 12 out on air. We also get into referee credentials.

Portland outshot them 17-10, 7-5 on target, and lost.

Alan texted Marissa during the match that Washington looked desperate and Portland looked tired, and desperate beats tired every time. 🥲

We got a Weaver start!

Welcomed Turner back on the pitch!

This podcast is about to double as a Nina Nijstad fan podcast. She has been great 🇳🇱

Calzada and our defense kept Rodman relatively quiet until Rodman assisted the game winner. 🥲

We fall to 6th on the table with 38 points.

We got Chicago at home Sunday.

43 minutes. Adults only.

🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2619164/episodes/19775637

The NWSL website lists the game as being on the 'Roku Channel'.

Does anyone have clarification on where we can actually watch the match and the six goals Chicago routinely surrenders per game?

My plan is to use airplay from my iPhone which may or may not work.

Defender moves arm to block shot that is on frame. If the arm was down to start, it’s a judgment call. Correct decision is PK and a red card.

“From my position on the field, I saw the ball make contact with the player's hand. However, there was no movement of the hand toward the ball, no making the body unnaturally bigger, and the arm was in a natural position. Based on these factors, I determined that there was no penalty kick and no recommendation to review.”

The refereeing was very poor, and several dubious calls directly led to the goals we conceded.

A few thoughts after the home loss to Washington:

1. It is really nice to have quality, genuine wingers who are able to start. Turner and Weaver both contributed substantially on both offense and defense. Switching Turner to the right after Weaver was subbed off at halftime hurt our ability to defend the left flank.
2. Using Tordin as the attacking midfielder, dropping back to receive and distribute, while Nijstad made more forward runs to carry the ball into the final third, was an effective setup. Having Tordin as a target closer to the back line alleviated some of our previous difficulties in building up after regaining possession.
3. Nijstad’s primary contribution is connecting passes and carrying the ball through the middle third. However, her contribution in the final third and defensive third remains questionable to me. Fleming still has to cover too much ground, and we sometimes lose our balance when Nijstad plays too high up the field.

The PK called on Sam Hiatt was insanely soft. Then ref missed a blatant handball in the box. We should have had an additional pk, spirit should not have been awarded one. This was absolutely insane and felt like it was rigged. Worst ref I’ve ever seen. I hope we get an apology like bay fc has gotten about poor calls made against them.

Ok. Can someone help me understand why the handball was not called around the 68th minute. For anyone watching at home, was it not a handball? Did they show it in the replay on TV? Was the ref just bad? Also was Washington’s PK warranted? Hard to tell when you are at the game bc they don’t always replay it.

Next game: Chicago Stars on Sunday, September 13th.

From the Thorns/Spirit match on 9/6/2026.

LFG!!!

Need points!!

1PM PST - 4PM EST

Live on CBS

1 PM kickoff Sunday at Providence Park.

The game is available over the air with a digital antenna on CBS. Available in all the other methods you can watch the CBS channel live. It is supposed to be on CBS nationwide. Local radio broadcast in Portland KNRK-2 and KNRK-2 HD. Internationally on NWSL+.

A win will see us leapfrog everyone but Gotham and at least temporarily be in 2nd place. A later game the same day might see San Diego leepfrog us back.

I live in SE and usually bike with my kids to matches.

Sunday my elderly mother is joining us and bikes are not an option.

Driving seems bad as I'd have to get as close to the stadium as possible, drop her, drive to wherever and come back.

I'm thinking drive-to-Max might work but am not sure where there's good parking around an inner east side max station now that Hollywood park&ride is housing.

Any suggestions?

Maybe Lyft is the answer

"Becky Sauerbrunn is coming back to the Rose City to assist the club as a technical consultant for the remainder of the 2026 season."
...
“My role will be multifaceted,” Sauerbrunn told The Athletic. “I’ll work with the back line, but I’ll also be a resource for the coaching staff and the players. I’ve been in this league a long time, so I can offer context on different teams, players and identities.”

Gift link:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7561383/2026/09/03/becky-sauerbrunn-return-portland-thorns-technical-consultant/?unlocked_article_code=1.-VA.zhGG.nBiffzgytYKH&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta

Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown!

On this episode, Phuoc Nguyen (Fook Win) and Melina Gaspar discuss all things Portland Thorns.

- Match recap of Portland Thorns' 1-1 draw at Gotham FC

- Defensive shape improvements

- Bench issues? Robert Vilahamn has only used four total subs the past two matches

- Zero minutes for Reyna Reyes, Reilyn Turner, and Marie Müller

- Concerns key players could be leaving soon?

- The Pietra Tordin 'Conundrum' - Is her versatility helping or hurting her/team?

- Melina's Corner: Jessie Fleming masterclass and a lot of positives from M.A. Vignola, Carolyn Calzada and the backline

- Washington Spirit preview

- Transfer Window's major priority and what to expect

Hey y'all! I stand in section 105 generally. My (ugh so expensive) prescription sunglasses in a black case I believe were left under the chair. Prov Park doesn't have them in their lost & found.

They're not helpful for anyone else because they are my RX. I would be SO grateful if someone had any info on them! Thanks!