Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown podcast!The Portland Thorns have been one of the early surprises of the 2026 NWSL season.However, is everything perfect? Are they expected the favorites to win the shield and championship? Not so fast...Co-hosts Phuoc Nguyen (Fook Win) and Melina Gaspar bring out the report cards for the goalkeepers, backline, midfielders, frontline, coaching staff, and front office & ownership. Which group has shined? Who still has a lot of work to do? Find out.
Jun 20
1 hr 5 min
Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown - the professional women's sports podcast that covers the excellence in Portland. On this episode, we are joined by Sean Moran of the Royal Riot podcast to preview the clash of the titans, No. 2 Portland Thorns vs No. 1 Utah Royals. How have URFC become the best story in the NWSL? We discuss it all. Also we preview the game and which players and matchups will determine the outcome.Which team will go into the international break the top team in the National Women's Soccer League?In the last half of the podcast, Melina Gaspar takes you on a film study quest to review how Kansas City Current took down PTFC 3-1. Portland Fire coverage? With the NWSL break coming up, we will be covering the incredible start to the expansion side's WNBA season in June and beyond.
May 29
55 min
Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown!On this episode, Phuoc preview the Portland Thorns at Kansas City Current matchup with KC Soccer Journal's managing editor, Thad Bell.In Melina Corner's, her film review covers the keys to the 2-0 win over Bay FC!
May 23
36 min
On this episode of the Rose City Breakdown, we are joined by Sara Ach of the WOSO Show (The Women's Soccer Show), play-by-play for Stanford and Cal soccer, and the international NWSL broadcast to preview the Portland Thorns and Bay FC matchup. In Melina's corner, her film session covers the entirety of the 0-0 draw versus Angel City FC!
May 20
53 min
Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown - the only dedicated women's professional sports podcast in Portland.The Portland Fire earned their first ever win off a buzzer-beater from Sarah Ashlee Barker - an upset 98-96 victory over New York Liberty. We'll be returning with our segment on the next episode. The Portland Thorns are coming off their second loss of the season, this time a 1-3 road loss to Racing Louisville.Phuoc Nguyen and Melina discuss what's missing in the midfield, slow second half starts, if the metrics/statistics are finally catching up to the team, and summer transfer window priorities. In the last half of the show, Trebor Tracy of Angels on Parade previews the matchup between Angel City FC and Portland Thorns.
May 16
50 min
The No. 1 ranked Portland Thorns head on the road to take on No. 15 Racing Louisville. To preview the matchup on this episode of The Rose City Breakdown, we are joined by Butchertown Rundown's Brendan Devine. We discuss the early struggles the team is facing, Bev Yanez's impact on young talent, the frontline of Emma Sears, Sarah Weber, and Kayla Fischer, key matchups, and much more. Does Louisville have an answer for Sophia Wilson, Pietra Tordin, Reilyn Turner, and Olivia Moultrie?Read and Listen to their team's work at Butchertown Rundown: https://substack.com/@butchertownrundown?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pagehttps://bsky.app/profile/brendan-devine.bsky.social
May 8
28 min
Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown - the only women's professional sports podcast in the city of Portland. The Portland Thorns are now four points clear in first place of the NWSL table. Melina Gaspar and I share our thoughts of the wins over San Diego Wave 2-0 and Chicago Stars 2-0. Who stood out and what lingering concerns are there? In Melina's corner, she highlights the standout play of Jessie Fleming and a few defensive details that needs to improve. The WNBA is finally back?For the first time since 2002, the Portland Fire are returning.Matt Bagley of Portland Supporter (portlandsupporter.com) and Sports Illustrated discusses the expectations for the team, potential starting five, which players to look out for, and so much more.https://bsky.app/profile/bagleysports.bsky.social
May 7
1 hr 2 min
Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown - The Women's Sports podcast for all professional sports in Portland. Melina is back better than ever with a new microphone and Phuoc is also there. On this episode, the duo discuss the key stats that determined the 2-1 road win for Portland Thorns over Angel City FC, Carolyn Calzada's strong debut, and much more.They also react to Soph Wilson's first goal since her return and why it changes so much moving forward for the team.Are you ready for the clash of the NWSL titans? Phuoc spoke to SanDiego.Futbol & All For XI writer Abe Zepeda, to preview the matchup between the No. 1 San Diego Wave coming into to Providence Park against No. 2 PTFC.
Apr 28
49 min
Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown!Phuoc Nguyen and Melina Gaspar are back to discuss the Portland Thorns' early season, who has stood out, lingering concerns, and much more.Melina's Corner returns with a full film breakdown from the North Carolina Courage match with positives and a few glaring cons.Also in the first-ever Portland Fire segment, Matt Bagley of Sports Illustrated (Oregon State Beavers) and PDX WNBA coverage at portlandsupporter.com.He breaks down the current roster, grades for GM Vanja Černivec, what to expect from head coach Alex Sarama, and 2026 season predictions.
Apr 24
1 hr 5 min
Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown!The NWSL is finally returning after the long international break.In the Portland Thorns' first match back, they'll be heading on the road and facing off against one of the biggest surprises in the NWSL, Angel City FC. I'm honored to be joined by Angels on Parade, Managing Editor Trebor Tracy, to preview this massive game. In the preview, we discuss ACFC's strong early-season start, breakout stars Kennedy Fuller and Sveindís Jónsdóttir, Mark Parsons in his new role, underrated players, key matchups, and what to expect in this game. Support Trebor Tracy!Angels on Parade - angelsonparade.comBluesky - trebtracy.bsky.social
Apr 19
25 min
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