With the epic U.S. win in this past summer’s Women’s World Cup, plenty of mainstream media outlets wondered if women’s soccer could finally arrive. But those who follow the sport in North America know that, at least in several strongholds, it already did long ago.
Take, for instance, Portland, and the symbiotic relationship between MLS’ Timbers and NWSL’s Thorns, a successful instance of both a men’s and women’s pro team living under the umbrella of one organization. This inspiring success story of both teams unfolds in the latest episode of CONCACAF’s series “Beyond the Pitch.”
“When the Thorns came along, it kind of just rolled over from [the Timbers’ large fan base],” says retiring Thorns player Rachel Van Hollebeke, of her team’s playing debut in 2013. “The same passionate soccer people embraced us as well.”
So what makes Portland such a great place for happy players a passionate supporter culture? This webisode, just shy of a half hour, explores it in depth. Fans of the Timbers can hold on to that as a point of pride when they face rivals the Seattle Sounders as part of Heineken Rivalry Week this Sunday, August 30.
