Community Discussion Post: What do the Cascadia Derbies mean to you?
Chime in on your thoughts on the greatest rivalries in American soccer
Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders. Portland Thorns vs. Seattle (or OL) Reign.
Just seeing the names of those matchups conjures memories of star-studded clashes, dramatic results, soaring victories, and crushing defeats. To us fans, who live and die by every touch of the ball, these games especially carry an increased emotional weight.
And that’s only appropriate, because that is what these rivalries are really about: the fans in the stands. Sure, there’s fire on the pitch. But the energy and passion of you all who show up and show out for the Thorns and Timbers are what makes Cascadia truly special.
From Tifo to chants to bonfires to welcoming Seattle to their nightmare, you all are the heartbeat that pumps the electricity and passion into these games. For each of us, this rivalry means something different. Those different meanings — those reasons why we bring our loudest voices to games like Saturday’s and Sunday’s — are what connects everyone and transforms Providence Park into one of the most special places on Earth.
As part of Stumptown Footy’s “Beat Seattle” week, we want to take a moment to celebrate what the Cascadia Derby games mean to you all — the ones that will be in the fans cheering your hearts out Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
So — we want to hear from you! What do the Cascadia Derbies mean to you? What is the significance these rivalry games hold in your soccer-loving heart? What memories stand out? What is the feeling like for you when Portland beats Seattle?
Let us know in the comments!
My first Seattle matches were against the Timbers in the USL. The bastards always seemed to have our number, and were shitty about it, so by the time they went up to MLS and we didn't the hatred was already bred into me. It's never really changed; somehow beating Seattle is satisfying in ways that beating other opponents isn't.
On the Thorns side, tho...the first several years the Reign never really felt the same way. Western New York (and then as North Carolina) and FCKC were the real "rivals", and the teams I wanted the Thorns to beat. It wasn't until probably 2018 or so that the Thorns-Reign games felt like real rivalry games for me. Now? Ohhellyes.
So I really want to see both Seattle clubs go home sad this weekend. There's no drink so refreshing as a cup of bitter Seattle tears.
outside of the memories of matches, I remember in early mls days bringing my girlfriend to a fish game when we would all be lined up along 18th and their team bus was coming past and everyone is chanting and they later told me that they where looking around thinking this is maybe a bit aggressive and weird, when they saw an older lady with likely their grandkid and they where both flipping off the bus and after the bus passed everyone was laughing and excited for the game and not angry, and they kinda got the nature of the whole thing.