The Rose City Breakdown

The Rose City Breakdown

by Phuoc Nguyen and Melina Gaspar
Sports NewsSoccer
Season 1
Fleming and Turnid Contract Extensions and Denver Summit FC Preview with Matt Pollard
Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown. On this episode, we are joined by Leo Baudhuin from the Willamette Week to discuss the contract extensions for Jessie Fleming and Pietra Tordin, signing of Nina Nijstad from PSV, Lindsey Heaps reunion, and Cascadia Derby woes. In the second half, Matt Pollard of Burgundy Wave joins us to preview the Portland Thorns at Denver Summit FC match. He discusses the historic support the team has found from Colorado, Lindsey Heaps potential impact, the leadership of Janine Sonis, and the keys to the match.
S1 · E22
Jul 17, 2026
1:10:17
Portland Thorns vs Seattle Reign Cascadia Derby & Nina Nijstad signs
Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown! On this episode, Melina conducts a film study from the Portland Thorns 4-0 demolition of Racing Louisville. Phuoc speaks with Sounder at Heart's (Ride of the Valkyries) Steve Voght to preview the Cascadia Derby and the best rivalry in all of women's sports: Portland Thorns vs Seattle Reign. And lastly, the duo discuss the signing of PSV midfielder Nina Nijstad and the reported $500k-$1 million transfer fee.
S1 · E21
Jul 10, 2026
43:53
Thorns’ Summer Targets and Top Priorities
Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown. On this episode, the duo and co-hosts Phuoc Nguyen (Fook Win) and Melina Gaspar discuss the upcoming summer transfer window, sharing their top targets and priorities. In the second half of the podcast, Brendan Devine of Butchertown Rundown joins us to preview the Racing Louisville matchup and the return of NWSL play.
S1 · E20
Jul 1, 2026
57:02
The Rose City Breakdown | Portland Thorns Midseason Report Card
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.
S1 · E19
Jun 20, 2026
1:05:10
Portland Thorns’ Top of the Table Clash Preview with Royal Riot and KC Current Loss Film Review
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.
S1 · E17
May 29, 2026
55:10
Portland Thorns at KC Current Match Preview with Thad Bell and Review of 2-0 Win over Bay FC
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!
S1 · E16
May 23, 2026
36:28
Bay FC preview with Sara Ach & film review of Portland Thorns/ACFC 0-0 tie
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!
S1 · E15
May 20, 2026
53:54
Portland Thorns vs Angel City Match Preview and Breaking Down the 1-3 Loss at Racing Louisville
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.
S1 · E14
May 16, 2026
50:21
Portland Thorns at Racing Louisville Match Preview with Butchertown Rundown
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-page https://bsky.app/profile/brendan-devine.bsky.social
S1 · E13
May 8, 2026
28:22
Portland Thorns’ Winning Streak and Portland Fire’s Season Opener
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
S1 · E12
May 7, 2026
1:02:24
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