Everything’s coming up roses 🌹

Looking back at the Portland Thorns’ 2022 season

A fan of the Portland Thorns waves a flag against a backdrop of red smoke

No one supports their team quite like the Rose City Riveters. | Photo by Ray Terrill

Fittingly, the Portland Thorns’ 2022 NWSL season will end how it began — against the Kansas City Current.

Of course, a lot has happened since that opening match way back in April, and when the two teams next meet, the stakes will be much higher. On Sat., Oct. 29 at 5 p.m., they will play for the title in Washington D.C., the home of last year’s winners. With a victory, the Thorns would become the only three-time champions in the NWSL.

In anticipation of the big game — and to distract us from our nerves — we’re looking back at what we’ll remember most from the year.

⚽ All of those goals. The Thorns put the ball in the net 49 times across 22 games, their highest league tally ever. Along the way, 14 different players contributed to the score sheet.

🏆 Looking at the league’s best XI, you’ll see lots of red and black. Forward Sophia Smith (congrats to the MVP) and rookie midfielder Sam Coffey landed on the first team, with defenders Kelli Hubly and Becky Sauerbrunn included on the second team.

🇯🇵 She may not have received any official awards, but watching Hina Sugita glide around the midfield with infectious positive energy was a delight — just ask the “Hina Hive.”

🔥 Clutch game winners from Morgan Weaver will never get old, nor will the semifinal wonder strikes from Rocky Rodriguez and Crystal Dunn.

For all the highs, there were somber lows. The well-documented off-the-field scandals cast a shadow on a phenomenal season from the Thorns and first-year head coach Rhian Wilkinson, but they persevered in spite of it all.

For some fans, it was difficult to separate the sport from the business — and understandably so. But the way the supporters made sure that they had the team’s back was unforgettable.

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Friday, October 28

Dead Astaire | Fri., Oct. 28 | 9 p.m. | Show Bar, 1300 SE Stark St., #101 Portland | $10 | This unholy cast of Portland music community veterans will once again reclaim their sinister hold on your party spirit for a night of grim boogies most macabre.
Trick or Drink: Portland Halloween Bar Crawl | Fri., Oct. 28 - Sat., Oct. 29 + Mon., Oct. 31 | Times vary | Silver Dollar Pizza Co., 501 NW 21st Ave., Portland | $20.00 - $75.00 | Take advantage of the scary-good drink specials in town during this three-night event.

Saturday, October 29

Bauman’s Cider Festival | Sat., Oct. 29 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Bauman’s Harvest Festival, 12989 Howell Prairie Rd. NE, Gervais | $15.00 - $30.00 | Sip some cider at the family farm that’s been growing apples since 1895.
Rose City Wreckers vs. Jet City Derby | Sat., Oct. 29 | 5:30-7 p.m. | The Hangar at Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland | $15.00 | Wear your Halloween best and enjoy this happy hour game with a Dead Guy Ale.
Carla Rossi’s Hell House Halloween | Sat., Oct. 29 | 7 p.m. | Oregon Contemporary, 8371 N. Interstate Ave., Portland | $20.00 | Artists bring their favorite sins to life in immersive performances and installations.
Ecliptic Brewing’s Cosmic Halloween | Sat., Oct. 29 - Mon., Oct. 31 | 12-8 p.m. | Ecliptic Brewing, 825 N. Cook St., Portland | Drink special seasonal beers and pumpkin pie pudding shots, and vote for your favorite Ecliptic employee-carved pumpkin.
Halloween Organ Spooktacular | Sat., Oct. 29 | 7 p.m. | Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 NW 19th Ave., Portland | Free | Join a family-friendly evening of silly and exciting pipe music for the Halloween season — if you dare.

Sunday, October 29

Oregon Mycological Society Fall Mushroom Show | Sun., Oct. 30 | 12-5 p.m. | Miller Hall at World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Knights Blvd., Portland | $10.00 | See beautifully displayed specimens from around the region, talk to mushroom experts, and browse vendors, books, and cooking samples.

Monday, October 31

Melissa Villaseñor: Whoops… Tour! | Mon., Oct. 31 | 8 p.m. | Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE 39th Ave., Portland | $30.00 | The first-ever Latina cast member of Saturday Night Live will have you rolling with her spot-on impressions.

Wednesday, November 2

The Black Jacket Symphony presents: Led Zeppelin IV | Wed., Nov. 2 | 8 p.m. | Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St. #110, Portland | $25.00 - $30.00 | Hear the iconic album brought to life note for note, sound for sound — plus a full set of Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

HALLOWEEKEND IS HERE

Weather

55º | Early rain then clouds | 93% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:44 a.m.
Set: 6:03 p.m.

Opening

For 23 years, Tortilleria y Tienda De Leon — a tortilla factory, salsa shop, tamale producer, and hot bar — did business on the outskirts of Gresham. But on Tues., Nov. 1, the local institution will open its doors at a new location in the Reed neighborhood (4512 SE 28th Ave.). 🌶️ (Portland Monthly)
The plantain chips are so close they can taste it. Tigard’s new Trader Joe’s store opens today at the intersection of Southwest Durham Road and Highway 99W. Doors will open at 8 a.m., followed by a ceremonial ribbon cutting; inside, shoppers will find a mural of the Tigard Festival of Balloons. (KOIN)

Eat

Say, “hey, what’s up, hello” to Ice Queen, the Chicana- and Indigenous-owned vegan dessert shop that opened mid-October and specializes in paletas — Mexican popsicles with fresh fruit in a water or milk base. Located off Southeast 11th Avenue, you’ll find seasonal flavors like pumpkin pie and the classic mango and chamoy. (Eater Portland)

Sports

In case you haven’t heard, Thorns forward Sofia Smith was crowned queen of the NWSL, winning the league’s MVP award. She’s only the second Portland player to earn the distinction — Lindsey Horan did so in 2018 — and the youngest-ever recipient. We’ll be watching this on repeat. 🏆
Well, the Trail Blazers finally tasted defeat Wednesday at home against the Miami Heat. But the bigger loss was when Damian Lillard went to the locker room injured in the third quarter. He has a grade one calf strain and will be re-evaluated in one to two weeks. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Read

What’s a few books between friends? This weekend, Fri., Oct. 28-Mon., Oct. 31, the Friends of Multnomah County Library will hold its fall used book sale at DoubleTree Portland Lloyd Center. The support organization is also celebrating 50 years of operation. There will be ~65,000 books for sale, plus music, movies, and even video games. 📚 (KOIN)

Cause

Stumped on how to give back in Stumptown? Well, Willamette Week’s 2022 Give!Guide is live, featuring 235 local nonprofits across 10 categories. The publication’s annual year-end campaign has raised nearly $50 million since 2004, and is shooting for $8 million in donations from 17,000 of you this year. (Willamette Week)

Community

Cavities... or cash? That’s the question one downtown Portland dentist office is posing to trick-or-treaters this Halloween. At Aspire Dental’s candy buyback event, kids will get $1 for every pound of the sweet stuff they return, in order to promote better oral hygiene. 🦷 (KOIN)

Arts

Have you seen the new mural in Old Town Portland yet? Artist Travis Fields, a former graffiti artist, was commissioned with a grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council to commemorate Blanchet House’s 70th anniversary. The two-story painting on the nonprofit’s building depicts a woman handing out free spaghetti-and-meatball meals. (Portland Tribune)

Outdoors

Crikey, it’s Croctoberfest. The Oregon Zoo welcomed a crocodile monitor to its Predators exhibit. These giant lizards can grow to nine feet long, and hail from the lowland forests of New Guinea. The new arrival is nicknamed “Johnny 5,” because it was the fifth egg to hatch in its clutch.

Holiday

Forget Santa — this Christmas, kids are more excited about the return of the Cinnamon Bear. The Portland Spirit recently announced the return of the holiday mascot (sporting its sailor’s cap) on the popular breakfast cruises, which will begin in November. Seating is now reserved on these voyages and the full meal includes eggs, potatoes, sausage, and bacon. 🧸 (Willamette Week)

DYK

Did you know we want to share your Black Friday deals with our PDXtoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Fri., Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wed., Nov. 16.

Drink

Getting groceries delivered is great, but getting your favorite beer, wine, and liquor delivered is even better. With Drizly, you can order your go-to libations as well as mixers, party supplies, and snacks + they’ll be delivered to your door in under 60 minutes. Order now. 🥂*

The Buy

Real talk: You’re an adult, and it’s time to say goodbye to those sad, flat pillows and invest in bedding that supports your neck and back. Marlow designed a pillow specifically for side sleepers with customizable firmness, three angles to support your neck, and cooling technology — code 6AM saves you 10%, plus buy-more, save-more discounts up to 40%. ☁️ *

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Feliz Día de los Muertos 💀

Celebrating Día de los Muertos in Portland

The City of Portland’s official altar, or “ofrenda” in Spanish. | Photo via City of Portland

Next week, Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” celebrations will come to life across Portland. The Mexican tradition brings together family and friends who pay their respects to loved ones who have died.

Whether you’re looking to learn more about the holiday or join the inclusive festivities, here are a few events to check out.

Bring the kids to Cedar Mill Library (Tues., Nov. 1, from 4-6 p.m.) for an evening of arts and crafts — including sugar skull decorating.

Portland Mercado will host performances from Tequila Highway and other musicians, henna and face painting, as well as a screening of Pixar’s “Coco.” There will also be an altar (called an ofrenda) where members of the community can leave photos, marigolds, and other items.

On Fri., Nov. 4, the Old Town Community Association is partnering with Huehca Omeyocan to conduct a ceremony and historic workshop from 5-9 p.m.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ben.

Editor’s pick: After getting a tip from one of our followers on Instagram, I checked out Always Spring Korean Cuisine in Beaverton last night. To find it, you venture up a flight of nondescript stairs at the back of G Mart, an Asian grocery store.

I’m a big fan of the bulgogi, which literally means “fire meat,” and the japchang (sweet potato glass noodle stir fry).

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Can you be-leaf Portland celebrates Arbor Day in October?

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Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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