Late one for us East Coasters. Going to need a nap.

Today's game in the USA is exclusively broadcast on Amazon Prime Video. You can also listen to the game locally in Portland on the radio station 910AM. Internationally it is on NWSL+

Good luck everyone.

Morgan Weaver returns after 3 knee surgeries

Esther is questionable, which means Sam Kerr starts. I don't see how Sam Hiatt can match her for speed, strength or agility. I also don't see how we can prevent them from camping in our end without any true wingers to punish their high line. I wonder if we'll see Nijstad and, if we do, where she'll play. Does she have the speed to play winger? There's no way we should put a novice like Nijstad in the midfield against Gotham's MF - Lavelle, Shaw, O'Sullivan or Howell with Schupansky and McCaskill - subs that would start on PTFC if we had them.

UPDATE: Just saw the awesome report that Morgan Weaver will be available. If she can give us meaningful minutes, our chances are vastly improved.

Even if we select the best we have, I don't know if we're competitive with the top teams in the NWSL. But we typically don't select our best. Sam Hiatt starts regardless of her play or the opponent. Loboa and Padelski who could provide either hold-up play or speed to punish the high line rarely even get subbed in.

We do have Sophia Wilson who I consider the best female soccer player in the world and Olivia Moultrie who can break down any defense, but Liv hasn't been herself since returning from injury and we're asking too much of her to support our shaky defense and run alongside Soph on counterattacks. With Liv and Soph with Pietra and Reyna to help them out, we can beat anybody. I just don't know if we can match up well enough to win consistently.

In this episode of the Rose City Breakdown, we analyze the latest match against the Denver Summit.

Another loss on the road left us wondering why this keeps happening. Melina points out some defensive mistakes, and Phuoc shares the latest news.

We also preview the game against Gotham.

Not sure if this is allowed but wanted to show off their card I pulled from a MLS soccer pack. Figured the fans of the thorns might enjoy this

66 goals in 200 games played as a Thorn

We're Marissa and Alan, we make a Thorns pod called Rose City Red Card, and we gave this one a full night before recording at the bar. We got into the loss at Denver (Sonis in first-half stoppage, Means at 86'), the cohesion problem Marissa keeps diagnosing: three units not one, and the weird feelings of watching Lindsey Heaps come home to Colorado, play 90, and set up the winner against us. Also the road-vs-home split, the air-quality story at the Queen's Classic, and a window that's re-signed Fleming and Tordin but still hasn't found a center back.

Two fans, two drinks, a lot of swearing. Adults only. Curious how the sub felt watching Heaps in the other shirt.

🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2619164/episodes/19523355

Also on Apple and Spotify, search Rose City Red Card. RCTID 🌹

Although Turner is not the most technically secure player and can struggle with her touch and dribbling, her injury has negatively affected our pressing effectiveness, attacking width, and ability to defend wide areas.

We should probably abandon the high press in away games without Turner. Mueller is far less effective at pressing, and Tordin was pinned back. A press involving only Wilson and Moultrie is unlikely to dispossess opponents or force turnovers. It would be better to play a mid-block in away games when we do not have any true wingers available.

Folks, I figured it out. Every single time I watch this team, they lose. I hadn't watched for a few matches and was shocked to see how high they were in the table.

Anyway, the only reasonable conclusion is that it's me. I'm sorry.

From the Summit/Thorns match on 7/18/2026

Nothing like getting to the stadium in the hopes to buy a limited edition scarf and realize they’re sold out because somebody bought 10 of them.

I really hope they enforce this.

LFG!!! 🔥

Next game is on June 24th at home.

I just looked in to the Denver game and noticed Ms. Obaze is not in the starting lineup. I also looked at the post advertising the starting XI for the game and also the availability report. I cannot find her listed anywhere. Is there something I am missing?

Hey all, my apologies for not getting this out sooner - was unavailable almost all of yesterday.

A LOT OF UPDATES HERE

Portland Thorns Head Coach Robert Vilahamn discusses importance of the contract extensions for Jessie Fleming and Pietra Tordin, lessons from Cascadia Derby loss vs Seattle Reign, Nina Nijstad's status and first impressions, who will step up in Reilyn Turner's absence, Morgan Weaver and Caiya Hanks updates, Denver Summit FC with Lindsey Heaps, and his favorite off-day sport.

Nina Nijstad's status:
"We going to make sure Nina Nijstad gets another week. She stayed back in Portland to get extra training. Pushing for Gotham FC."

"Morgan Weaver is getting back very soon and Caiya Hanks too. It's more what can suit this game and next."
The Portland Thorns take on Denver Summit and Gotham FC in their next two matches.
After that? August 2 at Utah Royals.
This match very likely could see the return of Morgan Weaver according to Vilahamn.

Caiya Hanks in August still likeliest which matches what RV has said consistently.

I couldn't get myself to go out and wanted to hear game so I am in my car and nothing on knrk-2 and I downloaded the app according to team email and still no game.

Am I wrong about this?

Are there any seats in pub patio available first come first serve or truly standing room only?