Stumptown Radio

The Merseyside Boys return! Sam and Alex hop on the microphones to check in with the Portland Timbers, and the “cold war” that’s been simmering between the club and Evander. The boys get deep into it and take a side (!), and then move on to preview some of the upcoming MLS trade and transfer windows and how Portland could be active.How should the Timbers should handle Evander? How big of an offseason is this for Ned Grabavoy and company? Which players are likely to leave this offseason? What maybe-swear word does Sam nearly drop? Listen on to find out! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

And just like that, professional soccer is over for the city of Portland for the year. The Portland Thorns 2024 season ended at the hands of Gotham FC in the NWSL Playoffs. What happened? Where do they go from here? Phuoc, Sam, Wilder, and Melina all got together to break down the game and talk about the high-stakes offseason that is to come.Featuring: Melina’s sad trombone, Wilder’s spicy anger, Sam’s sad relief, and Phuoc’s patience finally running out. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

Christine Sinclair celebrated her (likely) final game in Portland in style, leading the Thorns to a 3-0 win that clinched the playoffs in front of a raucous — and soaked — Providence Park. Phuoc, Sam, and Wilder hopped on the microphones to break it down and reflect on the latest magical night in Soccer City, USA.Then, the gang previews Portland’s playoff match against Gotham FC. Do the Thorns stand a chance against the NWSL super team? What needs to happen for them to swing an upset? Listen on to find out!Plus: Wilder is back to her optimistic ways, Phuoc has a swanky new title, and Sam urges the Thorns conjures some “nobody believes in us!” magic. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to Stumptown Radio, the only full time Portland Thorns podcast in the world. It has been an honor for us to have been your weekly voices this season. This episode is all about the greatest of all time, Christine 🐐 Sinclair. Melina Gaspar, Wilder Isom, and I go over what to expect from the club for the celebration, how much impact she made as a player on and off the pitch, and everything she means to the Rose City.BUILD THE STATUE!Show your appreciation to the 🐐 by leaving a wonderful note in the comments. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

In an episode that might feel like a second child to you, the Portland Timbers 2024 season is officially done — and it couldn’t go without one last piece of drama, right?After a wild opening three minutes, Sam, Alex, and Phuoc dive into those Evander tweets, the fallout, and the response from Ned Grabavoy and Phil Neville. Then the gang breaks down the rest of the highlights from the 2024 season exit interviews from the gaffer and GM, including responsibility for the failure of this season, potential offseason incomings and outgoings, and hopes for the future of the academy.All that and more, including: Alex’s roster strategy and breakdown (genius), Sam’s intro strategy (not so genius), and Phuoc’s frustration with the Timbers FO (relatable). This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to Stumptown Radio! On this episode, Melina, Wilder, and Phuoc breakdown the Portland Thorns road loss at Racing Louisville. We talk about the starting XI, defense, and Rob Gale’s postgame presser. Former Thorn, Janine Beckie provided the game-winning assist to Taylor Flint who has scored 6 of her 13 career goals against Portland. Portland, Bay, and Louisville are all vying for the final playoff spots. The Thorns can finish anywhere from sixth to completely out of the playoffs at ninth. We go over the remaining schedule for all three. Scenarios:* Portland Thorns & Bay FC in with win/draw* Racing Louisville in with win and…* Bay FC loss* Portland Thorns loss and multiple goal win at San Diego Wave (GD)What do the Portland Thorns need to accomplish in the postseason? The crew goes over the GM search (Mark Parsons’ potential fit), needs in the offseason, and more.Thanks for sending your questions over! If you have some for us, put it below in the comments! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

The Timbers season is over. And my goodness did it end with an absolute thud.After a 5-0 loss at home to the Whitecaps in the Wild Card Round, the boys hopped on the microphone to share their immediate reactions and thoughts.Alex is shellshocked. Jeremy is incensed. Phuoc is perplexed. Sam is just tired. The trash is taken out — both proverbially and literally. But we did it anyway. Enjoy. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

The Portland Timbers won the Cascadia Cup! And now they’re hosting a playoff game! That they shouldn’t be! But who cares! Sam, Alex, Jeremy, and Luukas take to the microphones to recap the draw in Seattle, extrapolate on Portland’s attacking woes, and set the table for the Wild Card Round.Plus: Alex’s mantra of “Shoot. The. Ball”, Luukas’ mantra of “Go. To. The. Game.”, Jeremy setting the Emerald City ablaze, and Sam absolutely nailing his outro. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

The Merseyside Boys, a West Midlands Mate, and a London Lad sit down to preview the Portland Timbers Decision Day Derby Decider at the Seattle Sounders. The Cascadia Cup is on the line — how do we see the teams matching up! Listen on and find out!Also listen to hear: Alex lay down the gauntlet for Phil Neville, Jeremy go off at the MLS Season Pass previews, Phuoc beg the Timbers to just be normal, and Sam shout out some TA:CO;’s. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

This podcast is coming to you like BOS Nation!Whoops sorry y’alls, we meant to say, welcome to Stumptown Radio, the best Portland Thorns podcast, not the worst (like a new NWSL expansion side’s rollout). The Portland Thorns are coming off their best win of the season 2-0 against Orlando Pride and 6-0 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps to advance to the knockout (semifinals) of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. Plus, the general manager search is underway and the Stumptown Footy crew explain why Mark Parsons is out top name on the list. Everyone makes their case to bring him back to the Rose City, this time as the GM of Portland Thorns. On this episode, Sam hits an iconic intro, Wilder is prepping for Sincy’s retirement, Jeremy breaks down the footballing, Melina hands out game balls to standouts, and Phuoc breaks down the GM search. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

The Portland Thorns are in a bad, bad way. On the heels of yet another home loss, Sam, Wilder, and Phuoc hopped on the microphones to talk through what’s wrong and what can be done to fix it, and answer some fan questions about what’s next for the Thorns.Featuring: Cynical and skeptical Wilder, strangely hopeful Phuoc, and exhausted Sam.Ed. note: this episode was recorded the night before the Karina LeBlanc news dropped. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

Hours after the Portland Timbers finished their final home regular season game in the 2024 MLS season, Sam, Alex, and Jeremy hopped on the microphones to analyze/commiserate/yearn. It got a little punchy.Come for the analysis of Portland’s recent downturn in form, stay for the preview of Decision Day & the Wild Card game. Stay as well for: Jeremy’s goalkeeping FBref rabbit hole, Alex’s plea to the Timbers to just get a result, and Sam’s false ceiling. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

What do we do when a legend retires? Talk about it for an hour and a half, of course. Christine Sinclair announced that she is retiring from professional soccer at the conclusion of the 2024 NWSL season, and the Stumptown gang talks through the emotions of the moment, and how bummed we are that Sinc probably won’t be going out with a piece of hardware this year.Then in the second segment, Luukas Ojala makes his pod debut to join Sam, Phuoc, and Jeremy to break down the Timbers wild draw and talk about this weekend’s massive Cascadia clash.All that and more, including: Wilder’s wish for the rest of the season, Sam completely forgetting that Diego Chara exists, Jeremy’s Cascadia math, Luukas’ emotional recovery, Melina’s very cautious optimism, and Phuoc’s brusque but true assessments. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

The pod crew (except for Phuoc and Melina) is here to break down a pair of midweek games that could not have gone in more different directions. In the first segment, Sam, Alex, and Jeremy break down the Timbers’ huge 4-2 win over the Galaxy and discuss Evander’s MVP bonafides.Then in a much more of a bummer second segment, Wilder joins Sam and Jeremy to discuss the death spiral that is the Portland Thorns after they blew a 2-0 lead to lose in San Diego. You know it got bad when the harshest take came from WilderFeaturing: Jeremy “You know I have a lot of final thoughts” Peterman, Alex “You know I have a hot take about Seattle” Barnes, Sam “You know I made indelicate transitions” Svilar, and Wilder “You know it’s bad when the harshest take comes from me” Isom. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

Sam, Alex, and Phuoc sit down to talk to the big man himself: Portland Timbers head coach Phil Neville! We chat with coach about how he and his family are settling into Portland, the bond he already feels between the city and the players, how he manages young players, and what he really thinks about Liam Ridgewell when they met on the field years ago.Before all that, the STF boys discuss Portland’s rousing derby win over Seattle and forecast the stretch run of the 2024 season.All that and more, featuring: Sam “he has a mic now” Svilar, Alex “the best ability is availability” Barnes, and Phuoc “Zuperman” Nguyen. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

An up and down week saw the Thorns lose at home 3-1, and then win at home 3-1. What does it all mean? Are the Thorns cooked? Are they fixed? How do they navigate the rest of the season? The Stumptown crew takes to the microphones to figure it all out.Plus, the crew talks through Alex Morgan’s retirement and reflects on her impact on soccer in the Rose City, in the USA, and around the world.Including: Wilder’s new Spanish stardom, Melina’s “Optimism Corner”, Phuoc’s harsh but necessary truths, and Sam’s dislike of long competition titles. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome home Olympians! We are so happy to be back with Portland Thorns talk. Melina, Wilder, and I discuss the summer window, Gotham FC match, preview the massive game against Bay FC, and so much more. * Did Karina LeBlanc and the Thorns do enough during the summer window?* What were the key takeaways from their match at Gotham? * Did the starting XI cost them the game? Should Alexa Spaanstra AND Reilyn Turner both started? * Can the Portland Thorns bounce back at home against Bay FC? This will be the expansion’s side first ever game at Providence Park. * The Portland Thorns are prepared to welcome back Olympians: Mackenzie Arnold, Nicole Payne, Jessie Fleming, and gold medalists, Sam Coffey & Soph Smith This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Cascadia Week! Alex, Jeremy (Cascadia FC), and I hop on the mics to discuss that defensive disasterclass and attacking masterclass against St. Louis City SC. We fully review the game including: defensive lapses, attacking firepower, and officiating. How did the Portland Timbers do in the summer window? Alex and Jeremy share their thoughts on whether it was enough to get them into contender status. The Seattle Sounders are coming into town on Saturday. We preview the matchup which has massive playoffs, Cascadia Cup, and rivalry implications. Can the Portland Timbers get it done without Felipe Mora and Jonathan Rodríguez? We preview the historic matchup and more. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

In a special episode of Stumptown Radio, the whole STF gang is all together to debut Stump it or Boot it! In this “evaluate the take” style game, the gang runs down a number of takes/statements/topics/predictions for both the Timbers and Thorns. Which takes will make the gang say “Stump It”, hop on the stump and defend the take, or “Boot it”, and kick the take out of here and disagree? Who makes the strongest arguments? Listen on and find out!Featuring: Grumpy Melina, Game Show Host Sam, Optimistic Alex, Healthy Phuoc, and Winner of the show Wilder. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe

The Thorns are done in the NWSL Summer Cup, but the Timbers are just getting warmed up in the Leagues Cup. Sam, Wilder, Phuoc, and Alex sit down to chat through the summer affairs of PTFC, and what the future holds for both clubs.Plus: Sam’s blatant omission, Phuoc’s Flu Game, Alex’s love of Larrys, and Wilder’s unenviable goalkeeper decision. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stumptownfooty.substack.com/subscribe