Is soccer back? I think it might be. With Euro 2020 beginning across the pond, Copa America happening down south and the Portland Timbers and Thorns FC getting back underway this coming weekend with increased 80 percent capacity, there is a tremendous amount of football underway.
80 percent
Photo: Sam Ortega / Thorns FC
First announced on June 3, beginning with this weekend’s games, Providence Park is set to welcome back fans to 80 percent capacity at Providence Park for the June 19 Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City match (7:30pm PT, FOX 12 PLUS (KPDX)) and June 20 Thorns FC vs. KC NWSL match (1pm PT, CBS).
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required upon entry, with acceptable forms of proof being a CDC vaccination card, a photocopy of the card or a photo of the card on a mobile device. Cardholders must be at least two weeks past receiving their second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or a single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- 🏟 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | Providence Park at increased capacity
- 🎟TIMBERS TICKETS FOR SATURDAY | THORNS TICKETS FOR SUNDAY
- 🏟 PTFCmap.com | Find your way around the stadium
- 😷 PROVIDENCE PARK | Health & Safety protocols
- 🌭 PROVIDENCE PARK | Cashless Transactions
Masks will not be required, but use of masks in restrooms and indoor spaces are recommended for the comfort of others. Masks for those 16 and under who are unvaccinated are encouraged.
Most safety protocols implemented for reduced capacity matches will stay in place indefinitely, including cashless transactions (Apple Pay, Google Pay), mobile ordering for food, beverage and merchandise, completely digital ticketing, a clear bag policy and enhanced sanitation protocols.
Goals, Goals, Goals
Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer / Thorns FC
What to look forward to this weekend for the Thorns? If history is any indication: goals.
Since 2016, no NWSL team has scored more goals at home than Thorns FC. Portland has scored 103 goals at Providence Park during that span in regular-season play. Additionally, the Thorns have conceded the second-fewest (48) goals during that span.
Also of note, many of the team's international players will be back from national team duty for Sunday's match.
Red Card Wedding
Photo: USA Today Sports Images
While the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup remains on hiatus, for Timbers fans it is worth a look back to the infamous USOC fourth round showdown with Seattle Sounders FC that happened six years ago this week on June 16, 2015 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash. The match is now commonly known as The Red Card Wedding.
Set in the quaint confines of Starfire, the match remained tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes. Seattle was already down to nine players due to a Brad Evans red card in the 69th minute and an 86th minute Obafemi Martins injury happening after the Sounders had used all three of their substitutions. Portland pounced in extra time with goals from Rodney Wallace and Maxi Urruti to win 3-1 and advance. But the Game of Thrones-ish blood-soaked nickname of the match comes from the fact that the Sounders earned two more red cards (!) – plus another ejection for head coach Sigi Schmidt (!!) – all in extra time leaving them with only seven (!!!) players on the pitch at the final whistle.
To say that a lot happened in this game is an understatement. Clint Dempsey tore up the ref’s scorecard. The Sounders changed kit colors at half. George Fochive – now back with the Timbers – had the assist on the game-clinching goal.
A few years after the match, our own Richard Farley, prior to joining Timbers.com, collaborated with Stumptown Footy and Sounder at Heart to produce an amazing oral history which includes interviews with Timbers legends such as Jack Jewsbury and Nat Borchers as well as others from "up north" that you should listen to here:
