PORTLAND, Ore. — In the third minute of second-half stoppage time, with the score tied 1-1 in the National Women’s Soccer League semifinal between the Portland Thorns and the San Diego Wave, Thorns defender Meghan Klingenberg prepared to take a corner kick, and the entire north end of Providence Park roared as one.
“P-T! F-C! P-T! F-C!”
The rest of the 22,035 fans in attendance joined in, at which point the fans’ and players’ collective will delivered a moment that the team — and the city — desperately needed.
Klingenberg’s corner was cleared only as far as Crystal Dunn at the edge of the Wave penalty area, who unleashed an unstoppable, rising shot into the net. The black and red smoke was released — so were the collective emotions of the crowd, with the goal ultimately giving the Thorns a 2-1 win and a spot in the NWSL final on Saturday against the Kansas City Current.
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For the Thorns, it was a win that went to 11 on the catharsis meter. For the past 13 months, the NWSL has been rocked by scandal, culminating in the release of the Yates report earlier this month. Portland was central, not just the allegations of sexual harassment and coercion against former manager Paul Riley but also the way the organization handled them, paving the way for Riley to keep coaching.
None of this was enough for some fans, who feel that nothing short of the Paulsons selling the team will suffice. The day before the match, a group calling itself Soccer City Accountability Now held a protest — with about two dozen people in attendance — in the plaza in front of Providence Park. Among the signs displayed were “Sell Now,” “You Knew” and “Don’t Call My Dad,” a reference to Golub calling the father of national anthem singer Madison Shanley when she wore a “You Knew” shirt to what turned out to be her last performance for the organization.
“This is a chance to once again show the leadership of the team, specifically the ownership, Peregrine Sports LLC, as well as Merritt Paulson that we’re not going away,” said Sofia Freja, one of the event’s organizers. “We’ve done rallies like this before and we’re continuing to do this one because it’s a game-day weekend and it gives people a chance to come out and speak their mind.”
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Tina Ettin, one of the capos for the Thorns supporters group the Rose City Riveters, and who leads chants in Providence Park’s north end, was also in attendance. A bright red streak running through her otherwise black hair reveals her devotion to the Thorns, and a black hoodie with “Anti-racism Social Club” shows her alignment with the ethos of the Riveters. She admits she hoped more people would show up, but for her the message is still important.
“These are the people that have been doing this all season, so I’m really proud of them for still coming back and showing up, and making sure that their voices are heard,” she said.
