We are proud of our club and our city.

Pride started because people who were marginalized in our society had had enough and stood up against police brutality and discrimination. For a lot of people, the road to equality is paved by self-loathing, painful discovery, and fear of their community. Over the years, the LGBTQQ community has used Pride Month to celebrate diversity, our individuality, and our common ground: Love.

I’m proud of the Rose City Riveters, the Timbers Army, and the 107IST. We are organizations that say no to discrimination, to hate speech, racism, sexism, xenophobia or homophobia. And we put actions and money behind our words. Especially given the recent events, I feel it is even more important to create a community and culture that is inclusive and allows others to be themselves. This is true for children and adults. No one deserves to be fearful of their community.

This month, we are offering two different pieces of merchandise that are fundraising for two different organizations that have a direct impact on our community. Both of these organizations are focused on creating a safe space for young people.

The Riveters and Timbers Army have produced a new Pride scarf. The proceeds for this scarf will be going to The Living Room, an organization in Clackamas County that works with LGBTQQ youth. 

The Living Room is an organization with a stable and well-defined infrastructure that creates safe spaces through community education and collaborations. Using youth/adult partnership model, we offer accessible programming and resources that encourage the personal growth and leadership skills of GLBTQQ youth and their allies. – Mission Statement

We also have a new shirt, which is available as either a T-shirt or a sleeveless tee. This shirt is a fundraiser for the TransActive Gender Center. This group is located in Northeast Portland and offers training, advocacy, and support for gender diverse and transgender children and their families.

TransActive Gender Center provides a holistic range of services and expertise to empower transgender and gender diverse children, youth and their families in living healthy lives, free of discrimination. – Mission Statement

I am proud of the impact we are having. I hope you are too.

Both the scarf and shirts will be available for purchase at the Fanladen today and will be on our online store tomorrow. Please support us and these organizations having a positive impact on the youth in our community.

NWSL is implementing new guidelines for extreme heat, including procedures for match delays, effective immediately. You can read those guidelines here. 

Here are the Thorns matches that will now have a different start time:

Saturday, July 15
Portland Thorns FC vs. North Carolina Courage
Providence Park
12:30 Pacific

Saturday, August 5
Portland Thorns FC vs. Houston Dash
Providence Park
12:30 Pacific

Saturday, September 2
Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit
Providence Park
12:30 Pacific

Saturday, September 23
Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns FC
Orlando City Stadium
12:30 Pacific

Saturday, September 30
Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars
Providence Park
12:30 Pacific

Tickets are now on sale for our first trip to Seattle, on July 1. We will be stepping up our game to have buses to support the Thorns: a cider bus, beer bus, and for the first time, a juice bus! Now we just need you, your voice, and your passion for the Thorns!

The Riveters have purchased Lower Grandstand tickets, just like last time. This means no hiking up to the furthest corner of the stadium. Normally, these tickets are $25 each, but with the group discount, they are $16 each. Here are the details for our group ticket order opportunities:

Ticket only – $16 – LOWER GRANDSTAND. You will need to pick up your ticket in Seattle when the bus gets there or the tickets will be left at Will Call.

Cider/Beer Bus only – $40 – you either have your own ticket or will be acquiring your own ticket. The Riveters will be in the LOWER GRANDSTAND, and those tickets are normally $25 per ticket.

Juice Box Bus only – $31 – you either have your own ticket or will be acquiring your own ticket. The Riveters will be in the LOWER GRANDSTAND, and those tickets are normally $25 per ticket.

Ticket & Cider/Beer Bus combo – $55

Ticket & Juice Box Bus combo – $47

You will select your bus at the time you purchase your tickets on the Wild Apricot site – this is different from how we’ve done it in the past.

All participants in our group agree to the 107ist Away Travel Code of Conduct for Riveters Away Travel. Please review it here:

https://rosecityriveters.org/what-is-the-107ist/107ist-away-travel-code-of-conduct/
Rules for the buses:

NO GLASS ALLOWED ON THE BUS. While we are allowed to bring food and drink (adult beverages are way okay), you are not allowed to have glass containers. Please plan accordingly.

NO #2 ON THE BUS! The bathroom on the bus has a very small storage tank! We will be stopping at a rest stop about halfway through the drive (or about 90 minutes in).

General trip info:

There are no age restrictions in the Riveters or on our buses. If you’re a party of 1, coming with friends, or want to make it a trip for the whole family, please join us.

Memorial Stadium allows away supporters to have flags & two-sticks so long as it does not obstruct others’ view and is not on poles. Please leave all noisemakers at home; those will not be allowed into Memorial Stadium.

There is a Bag Policy that will be enforced at Memorial Stadium this year. All bag styles and sizes are allowed but are subject to inspection upon entry. Fans will be asked to return prohibited item(s) to their vehicles or throw them away before they are allowed entry into the stadium.

At the last match, we were allowed to bring in sealed plastic water bottles. This is still an option, along with empty plastic water bottles that can be filled inside.  You may also bring in outside food.

Bring food and drink for the bus. Keep glass at home. Clean up after yourself. Keep an eye on each other. We all want to have fun.

Schedule for Saturday, July 1:

(PLEASE NOTE TIMES HAVE CHANGED)

1:30 pm – Bus departs from the Oregon Convention Center (NE Holladay St between NE 2nd and MLK)

5:30pm – Bus arrives at Memorial Stadium under the Space Needle. The Riveters will enter the stadium 6:00pm at the South entrance.

7:30 pm – Kickoff of match.

1:30 am – Bus arrives back at Oregon Convention Center to drop road warriors off.

If you have any questions or concerns, we will be happy to address them in the comments on this post. Come join us in Seattle!

Our next Match Day Drive will be for “fuel”; foods that can keep houseless friends and neighbors sustained while on the street.

Please bring your shelf-stable donations to the Fanladen pre-match. Suggested items include:

• Granola bars
• Nutrition bars and drinks
• Easy Mac
• Cup O Noodles
• Instant coffee (and small creamers/sweeteners)
• Bottled water

Nutritious, shelf-stable foods in portable snack size will benefit those served by Street Roots.

Street Roots creates income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty by producing a newspaper and other media that are catalysts for individual and social change. To learn more about what Street Roots does, click here.

Next Thorns FC home match will be Saturday, May 27, vs Boston Breakers.

On Saturday May 6, both before and immediately after the Thorns match, we will be accepting donations to help folks “beat the heat”!

When people think of houseless neighbors dying from exposure, the first thought is usually of freezing temperatures. In reality, the summer temperatures are far more deadly. Sun exposure and dehydration- either alone, or due to a reaction with medications/pre-existing conditions- are incredibly dangerous, and the source of countless lives lost each year.

Non-customers are often barred from entering retail establishments, and that makes access to water as needed difficult. Providing durable, shatter-proof water bottles, particularly the insulated variety, can go a long way to helping someone stay cool and hydrated. With limited public places to get out of direct sunlight, a quality sunblock is an absolute necessity as well. Sunglasses and visors can also be incredibly helpful. Cooling neck wraps and towels can also provide comfort in extreme temperatures.

Thank you in advance for your life-saving gifts to these friends and neighbors in our community- we know you’ll come through! And thank you again for helping out with last week’s drive, too.

Final note- As we head into these warmer months, please keep in mind that what may appear to be an intoxicated person could possibly be someone struggling with heat exhaustion. Don’t be afraid to call 911.

Our match day drive for Saturday is for feminine hygiene products, such as tampons and pads.

This drive is being organized by Mya Kimberly, who is a senior at Forest Grove High School, and is doing this as a part of her senior project. Feminine hygiene products are a necessity that is often overlooked, and having access to these products should be a right and not a privilege. Tampons are preferred, but any and all feminine hygiene products are welcome. Half of the products raised will be donated to Janus Youth, and the other half will be donated to Portland Homeless Family Solutions.

Bring your donations to the Fanladen before Saturday’s match- and thanks in advance!

Make a positive impact in the lives of kids and families on the west side of Portland, and represent Rose City Riveters at the same time!

The 107 Independent Supporters’ Trust, along with Embrace Oregon and other west side friends, are coming together to complete TWO major family visitation room remodels at the Beaverton DHS offices (foster care system) this June.

One family visitation room will have a Portland Thorns theme. Rose City Riveters will design the room, which will include a Thorns and Riveters-themed mural.

The room’s purpose is to provide a safe, comfortable space for children & teens who are in foster care to spend their average of one hour weekly with a birth parent. This is an intimate, critical point of connection for both the children whose lives have been turned upside down, and for the biological parents who are working hard to get their kids back. A room that is homey and warm speaks value and worth to both the children and their families.

The rooms are also utilized when children are removed from their home and are sitting in the child welfare office, awaiting placement. Volunteers will play with kids for an average of 5-7 hours while the caseworker tries to find a foster placement. Having an inviting space with activities is very helpful in this instance as well. These rooms will be a reminder to kids, teens, parents, guardians, and DHS staff that they are valued, and will also leave a lasting legacy of love from the Timbers, Thorns, TA, and Riveters.

The total budget for both rooms is $10,000, but with the generous in-kind support of local businesses and the 107ist (Timbers Army & RCR) directly, we are already halfway there! The money raised will all go to the direct expenses of furniture not donated, new flat screen TVs and game systems, paint and paint supplies, shelving and wall mounts, etc.

The makeover itself will take place over the first two weeks of June, so the sooner we can complete the fundraising, the better! To donate, click here.

The travel page on rosecityriveters.org has been updated with information for many of the upcoming Away matches. Please refer to this before buying tickets. You’ll get the group pricing, and get to sit (stand, jump, clap, chant + root for the Girls in Red) with fellow Riveters! Also, please use the links there to navigate to specific forum topics. Find the topic for the match you’ll be attending, and post to RSVP and make arrangements with other traveling supporters! The forums are also a great place to ask questions and get recommendations.

The first Away match for the Thorns takes place THIS SATURDAY, 4/22 at Cary, NC with the newly named NC Courage. If you are going to be there to clap & cheer for our Thorns, please let your fellow traveling Riveters know by commenting on the NC Courage Forum topic here.

We’ll see you at Providence Park- or on the road!

Guest post/editorial from Jason Rodgers, Thorns Season Ticket Holder and Supporter

To KPTV,

Yesterday’s double-header at Providence Park was an exciting day for Portland soccer.  The Thorns started their season with a home win over Orlando pride, setting an attendance record for an opening match, followed by a physical and emotional loss by the Timbers to Sporting KC.

While Portland soccer fans spoke with their presence, epic tifos, roaring chants, and general boundless support and love for their teams, former Timbers player Willie Anderson spoke with his foot solidly planted in his mouth.  In the KPTV pregame show, sportscaster Nick Krupke asked Thorns coach Mark Parsons substantive questions about receiving the Supporter’s Shield and starting the season strong.  But then Parsons turns to his left to questions from Anderson about why he coaches “girls,” and if he yells at them and makes them cry!  Really?!  These are the only questions that came to his mind?  Krupke nervously glances at the camera and then is wise to cut the interview short.

These sexist remarks are unacceptable.  It is clear that Mr. Anderson does not respect or value our women’s soccer league, and thinks Parsons is somehow a lesser coach because he is associated with them.  The challenges that women’s sports face with regards to inequities in pay, facilities, and accommodations – and not just soccer – is frustrating enough without these sorts of small-minded comments from within the athletics and media community.  Julie Foudy was at Providence Park yesterday, and I hope she gets wind of this interview and makes an example of these ignorant statements in a future broadcast.

Please reconsider your relationship with Willie Anderson as a sports commentator.  Whatever his contributions to the Timbers organization of old, he does not represent Portland soccer today. Thank you.

Jason Rodgers

Thorns season ticket holder

Longtime Timbers supporter

RCTID

The 2017 Thorns FC season kicks off this Saturday. As you’ve likely noted, this day is a PTFC double header- Thorns kick at 12:00 noon, Timbers kick at 7:30. Providence Park will be jumping with the best of NWSL and MLS soccer (and the best supporters, too)!

That extraordinary situation brings us to our very first Rose City Riveters — Timbers Army joint match day drive. The drive will support Janus Youth Programs. Since their founding in 1972 for the purpose of providing residential care for adolescents struggling with homelessness and drug abuse, Janus Youth Programs has provided a second chance for at-risk youth with few resources, and no place to turn for help. Every year, 6,000 youth are assisted through their 40 programs in Oregon and Washington. This includes youth who have runaway or are homeless, or who have been trafficked for sex. Janus also serves teen parents and youth living in low-income neighborhoods as well.

We encourage you to stop off at a department or variety store over the next few days, and pick up some new socks. The most needed kind are the athletic style, as many of the people Janus serves spend a good deal of their day on their feet. As we approach the warmer weather, ankle socks and other lower cut socks are especially welcome. Thick, boot-style socks are always in need, too. While it might seem like such a little thing, good clean socks are greatly appreciated by the young people Janus serves.

Socks can be dropped off at Fanladen, 1633 SW Alder.

See you Saturday!