Portland Thorns fans turn out in waves, even as season comes to end

A line snaked around the block in Portland early Saturday morning, as hundreds of fans waited for the biggest Portland Thorns match of the season.

The Thorns held a large watch party at Grand Central Bowl, with the team traveling to Washington, D.C. to play in the NWSL semi-finals. A win would’ve sent them to their first championship appearance since 2022.

Portland eventually lost 2-0 to a dominant Washington Spirit team, but that didn’t stop fans from filling up the watch party during the match. Some fans arrived as early as 7:30 a.m. in an effort to have an ideal spot.

Inside, every seat was taken. Many fans took to sitting on the floor near the bowling lanes to get a better view. Others sat at the bar, praying and pleading for a Thorns goal.

Maddie McCarry of Portland was one of 350 people who came out to the watch party. She had been to the Thorns’ dramatic Nov. 9 quarterfinal victory against San Diego and was hoping for more magic.

“It was pretty thrilling, so hoping for kind of the same entertainment today and for us to come out with another win,” McCarry said. “You always got to believe in your team, right?”

Inside, every seat was taken. Many fans took to sitting on the floor near the bowling lanes to get a good view.

Richard Hamje of the Rose City Riveters supporters group said the team has hosted watch parties for years, but Saturday was one of the largest he had seen.

“It was here at Grand Central one time, and they would draw 50 people,” Hamje said of previous parties. “So a big difference (today).”

Before the match, he admitted that the Thorns faced a tough challenge against the Washington Spirit, one of the highest scoring teams in the league.

“We need some luck, I think.”

It was a frustrating morning for Thorns fans. Portland struggled to maintain possession and create meaningful opportunities to score. When Washington took a decisive two-goal lead in the 83rd minute — off of a breakaway finish by midfielder Croix Bethune — many fans sat back stunned, hands on their head.

The Thorns had multiple players absent with season-ending injuries, leaving behind a young squad to try and make up the difference. Thorns manager Rob Gale told reporters after the match that injuries hurt the team late in the game, as they had no forwards to substitute.

“Tough way to end the season, maybe because of the nature of the two goals we gave away,” Gale said. “Disappointing. One game short.”

Still, many of the people who turned out to the watch party took pleasure in the atmosphere and the increased attention on women’s sports in general. The NWSL reported that viewership this season increased 22% year-over-year, with an average attendance of 10,000 fans per match.

Mo Singer said they’ve been a fan since the team’s inception. The uptick in interest has been striking.

“As a longtime women’s sports fan, it’s exciting to see so much interest,” Singer said. “There’s a lot more excitement and there’s more support.”