Chris Rifer
@chrisrifer.bsky.social
Once again retired co-host of Soccer Made in Portland. Author of The Morrison Report. I still like Bruce Springsteen, but now on a new app.
The Thorns have flown under the radar with national media this year. In what was supposed to be a step-back year with a barrage of major injuries piled on top, they finished third and are now in the semis.
One nomination is a bit light. Coffey a big miss. Rob Gale is aggrieved here, too. #BAONPDX
One nomination is a bit light. Coffey a big miss. Rob Gale is aggrieved here, too. #BAONPDX
#NWSL awards season shenanigans is an annual tradition, and the Midfielder of the Year shortlist having NEITHER Taylor Flint NOR Sam Coffey is egregious, baffling stuff.
November 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The Thorns have flown under the radar with national media this year. In what was supposed to be a step-back year with a barrage of major injuries piled on top, they finished third and are now in the semis.
One nomination is a bit light. Coffey a big miss. Rob Gale is aggrieved here, too. #BAONPDX
One nomination is a bit light. Coffey a big miss. Rob Gale is aggrieved here, too. #BAONPDX
The worst thing about this is that is would be in-character for Timbers leadership to use the four playoff games as a fig leaf to avoid having to make hard changes in the offseason.
On balance, 1.29 PPG in the regular season and 1.0 PPG in the postseason is mediocre at best. #RCTID
On balance, 1.29 PPG in the regular season and 1.0 PPG in the postseason is mediocre at best. #RCTID
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 AM
The worst thing about this is that is would be in-character for Timbers leadership to use the four playoff games as a fig leaf to avoid having to make hard changes in the offseason.
On balance, 1.29 PPG in the regular season and 1.0 PPG in the postseason is mediocre at best. #RCTID
On balance, 1.29 PPG in the regular season and 1.0 PPG in the postseason is mediocre at best. #RCTID
On paper adding a player in midfield can give you a little more flexibility in building out—which could be useful against San Diego press.
In practice, the Timbers have usually been a mess in this setup. So one of those things that works on the chalkboard but has largely failed on the field. #RCTID
In practice, the Timbers have usually been a mess in this setup. So one of those things that works on the chalkboard but has largely failed on the field. #RCTID
Why is he doing this?
November 10, 2025 at 1:21 AM
On paper adding a player in midfield can give you a little more flexibility in building out—which could be useful against San Diego press.
In practice, the Timbers have usually been a mess in this setup. So one of those things that works on the chalkboard but has largely failed on the field. #RCTID
In practice, the Timbers have usually been a mess in this setup. So one of those things that works on the chalkboard but has largely failed on the field. #RCTID
Neville’s periodic uses of a 3 have been mostly poor-to-disastrous. We’ll see how this actually shapes, but a big roll of the dice if that’s the move here. #RCTID
November 10, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Neville’s periodic uses of a 3 have been mostly poor-to-disastrous. We’ll see how this actually shapes, but a big roll of the dice if that’s the move here. #RCTID
Tordin coming on totally changed this game. She’s done phenomenally well to stretch the field and open up more spaces for Liv and company to operate. Completely tilted the field. #BAONPDX
November 9, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Tordin coming on totally changed this game. She’s done phenomenally well to stretch the field and open up more spaces for Liv and company to operate. Completely tilted the field. #BAONPDX
The Thorns probably have to make some changes on the wings. Without a source for an outlet—and none of Turner, Castellanos, or Spaanstra provided one—Portland was far too squeezable and got eaten up by San Diego’s counterpress.
Turner up top was a marginal improvement, but need much more. #BAONPDX
Turner up top was a marginal improvement, but need much more. #BAONPDX
November 9, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The Thorns probably have to make some changes on the wings. Without a source for an outlet—and none of Turner, Castellanos, or Spaanstra provided one—Portland was far too squeezable and got eaten up by San Diego’s counterpress.
Turner up top was a marginal improvement, but need much more. #BAONPDX
Turner up top was a marginal improvement, but need much more. #BAONPDX
So the ref correctly stopped play for the head injuries even though the Thorns had 3v3 going at goal, and then restarts with a drop ball in which he allows San Diego to keep possession.
I had some questions. #BAONPDX
I had some questions. #BAONPDX
November 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
So the ref correctly stopped play for the head injuries even though the Thorns had 3v3 going at goal, and then restarts with a drop ball in which he allows San Diego to keep possession.
I had some questions. #BAONPDX
I had some questions. #BAONPDX
Remarkable how institutions and the powerful have almost uniformly caved to Trump while the people have almost uniformly stood up to him.
November 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Remarkable how institutions and the powerful have almost uniformly caved to Trump while the people have almost uniformly stood up to him.
Incredible moment for Gage Guerra tonight. Holy cow.
Really good from the Timbers not letting that game get away from them at 2-1 down. They certainly left it late, but survive for another day. #RCTID
Really good from the Timbers not letting that game get away from them at 2-1 down. They certainly left it late, but survive for another day. #RCTID
November 2, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Incredible moment for Gage Guerra tonight. Holy cow.
Really good from the Timbers not letting that game get away from them at 2-1 down. They certainly left it late, but survive for another day. #RCTID
Really good from the Timbers not letting that game get away from them at 2-1 down. They certainly left it late, but survive for another day. #RCTID
Truly the most USSF scandal ever was when its largely successful USMNT coach got absolutely crushed for virtually every imaginable corner for imprudently telling the truth about one of his players.
“I’m not just going to sort of sit here and take all the blame for something that was made out to be completely my fault…I was just upset that I wasn’t really playing.”
Completely tone deaf from Gio Reyna given Pochettino’s team-first messaging. #USMNT apnews.com/article/gio-...
Completely tone deaf from Gio Reyna given Pochettino’s team-first messaging. #USMNT apnews.com/article/gio-...
Gio Reyna tells AP about plans to reboot career with new club and return to US team for World Cup
Gio Reyna went to the 2022 World Cup as one of United States’ brightest young soccer stars. He came back amid controversy over his commitment and his parents’ conflict with the then-coach.
apnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Truly the most USSF scandal ever was when its largely successful USMNT coach got absolutely crushed for virtually every imaginable corner for imprudently telling the truth about one of his players.
A much better performance than it looked like they’d put in during that first half hour. But indiscipline from Fory killed any opportunity to steal a result.
Velde lucky not to see red late, though. Given the way he played today that would’ve been a tough loss for next week. #RCTID
Velde lucky not to see red late, though. Given the way he played today that would’ve been a tough loss for next week. #RCTID
October 27, 2025 at 3:42 AM
A much better performance than it looked like they’d put in during that first half hour. But indiscipline from Fory killed any opportunity to steal a result.
Velde lucky not to see red late, though. Given the way he played today that would’ve been a tough loss for next week. #RCTID
Velde lucky not to see red late, though. Given the way he played today that would’ve been a tough loss for next week. #RCTID
Playoff games are dictated by game states. And in this matchup, this is a very dangerous game state for the Timbers. Having to come out and play in search of an equalizer puts the Timbers in an even more vulnerable position against this San Diego team. #RCTID
October 27, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Playoff games are dictated by game states. And in this matchup, this is a very dangerous game state for the Timbers. Having to come out and play in search of an equalizer puts the Timbers in an even more vulnerable position against this San Diego team. #RCTID
Them: AI is so great and so smart and it’s going to replace all you dumb laptop workers.
Me: Why does it keep trying to autofill my name to “Christmas” when I sign an email?
Me: Why does it keep trying to autofill my name to “Christmas” when I sign an email?
October 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Them: AI is so great and so smart and it’s going to replace all you dumb laptop workers.
Me: Why does it keep trying to autofill my name to “Christmas” when I sign an email?
Me: Why does it keep trying to autofill my name to “Christmas” when I sign an email?
Democrats: We’re going to shut down the government because it’s the only leverage we have to make sure you don’t raise health insurance premiums on millions of Americans.
Trump: Well then I’m going to call billionaires and have them donate money to fund the government!
Democrats: I’m listening…
Trump: Well then I’m going to call billionaires and have them donate money to fund the government!
Democrats: I’m listening…
Trump: "By the way, a friend of mine called us the other day and he said 'I'd like to contribute any shortfall you have because of the Democrat shutdown. I'd like to contribute any shortfall you have with the military.' Today, he sent us a check for $130 million. It's gonna go the military."
October 24, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Democrats: We’re going to shut down the government because it’s the only leverage we have to make sure you don’t raise health insurance premiums on millions of Americans.
Trump: Well then I’m going to call billionaires and have them donate money to fund the government!
Democrats: I’m listening…
Trump: Well then I’m going to call billionaires and have them donate money to fund the government!
Democrats: I’m listening…
Blazers fans yesterday: It’s going to be fun to finally have a normal season in which we can just root for our team to win games!
Blazers fans this morning:
Blazers fans this morning:
a man says just when i thought i was out in a kitchen
ALT: a man says just when i thought i was out in a kitchen
media.tenor.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Blazers fans yesterday: It’s going to be fun to finally have a normal season in which we can just root for our team to win games!
Blazers fans this morning:
Blazers fans this morning:
Timbers’ press looked better in that first half since, well, basically ever.
RSL was brutal in possession and basically set their line of confrontation at their own byline. Frustrating to let them back in the game on a set piece when RSL probably should’ve been put to the sword early. #RCTID
RSL was brutal in possession and basically set their line of confrontation at their own byline. Frustrating to let them back in the game on a set piece when RSL probably should’ve been put to the sword early. #RCTID
October 23, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Timbers’ press looked better in that first half since, well, basically ever.
RSL was brutal in possession and basically set their line of confrontation at their own byline. Frustrating to let them back in the game on a set piece when RSL probably should’ve been put to the sword early. #RCTID
RSL was brutal in possession and basically set their line of confrontation at their own byline. Frustrating to let them back in the game on a set piece when RSL probably should’ve been put to the sword early. #RCTID
I say this writing from home, so maybe I’m part of the problem—or, perhaps more accurately, a symptom of the problem:
The number of empty seats at Providence Park is shocking. Yet I fear the reaction from the club will be anger at the fans that aren’t there instead of self-reflection. #RCTID
The number of empty seats at Providence Park is shocking. Yet I fear the reaction from the club will be anger at the fans that aren’t there instead of self-reflection. #RCTID
October 23, 2025 at 2:36 AM
I say this writing from home, so maybe I’m part of the problem—or, perhaps more accurately, a symptom of the problem:
The number of empty seats at Providence Park is shocking. Yet I fear the reaction from the club will be anger at the fans that aren’t there instead of self-reflection. #RCTID
The number of empty seats at Providence Park is shocking. Yet I fear the reaction from the club will be anger at the fans that aren’t there instead of self-reflection. #RCTID
A judicial assessment that the government is likely to prevail on its claim that conditions in Portland present a risk of “rebellion” is an exercise in unreality that violates Article III’s case and controversy requirement. Courts have to adjudicate real cases—not fantasies in the name of deference.
A federal appellate court , in a split 2 to 1 vote, on Monday allowed President Donald Trump to maintain federal control over the Oregon National Guard and deploy troops until the case is fully litigated in court.
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
Appeals court, in 2 to 1 split, puts hold on restraining order barring Trump from deploying Oregon National Guard
Senior Circuit Judge Susan P. Graber wrote a 35-page dissent.
www.oregonlive.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:59 PM
A judicial assessment that the government is likely to prevail on its claim that conditions in Portland present a risk of “rebellion” is an exercise in unreality that violates Article III’s case and controversy requirement. Courts have to adjudicate real cases—not fantasies in the name of deference.
All in all this is a 90th+ percentile outcome for the Thorns.
No matter what happens from here, it’s been a year of huge progress on a backline that was in the woods, for Moultrie becoming a star, for Fleming becoming a box-to-box force, and for new contributors to make their claim. #BAONPDX
No matter what happens from here, it’s been a year of huge progress on a backline that was in the woods, for Moultrie becoming a star, for Fleming becoming a box-to-box force, and for new contributors to make their claim. #BAONPDX
WE’RE ALL IN ROSE CITY 🌹
We’ve just qualified for our 9th consecutive NWSL playoff appearance! The most of any team in the league.
We’ve just qualified for our 9th consecutive NWSL playoff appearance! The most of any team in the league.
October 19, 2025 at 11:44 PM
All in all this is a 90th+ percentile outcome for the Thorns.
No matter what happens from here, it’s been a year of huge progress on a backline that was in the woods, for Moultrie becoming a star, for Fleming becoming a box-to-box force, and for new contributors to make their claim. #BAONPDX
No matter what happens from here, it’s been a year of huge progress on a backline that was in the woods, for Moultrie becoming a star, for Fleming becoming a box-to-box force, and for new contributors to make their claim. #BAONPDX