'It's really hard for us to look past the transgressions': MLS Cup dream tempered by soured view of club leadership for some Timbers fans - The Athletic

They came equipped with layers of jackets and fleece blankets, reclining camping chairs and even the occasional camp stove. Some typed away on laptops, taking the concept of remote work to a new extreme. Others brought their dogs, who wagged their tails and happily accepted pets and treats from strangers.

It is two days before MLS Cup, and despite high temperatures in the mid-40s and occasional rain showers, already a few regiments of the Timbers Army are camped out in order to stake out the best spots when Providence Park opens its gates to general admission on Saturday morning. The line that stretched a decent ways down SW 18th Ave is a testament to the hardcore dedication of Portland’s soccer fans.

There is a hum of excitement around the city as the Timbers prepare to host their first MLS Cup in club history. Snippets of conversations can be overheard on the sidewalk and in cafes debating the home team’s chances against Eastern Conference champion NYCFC. 

It is a rare turn in the national spotlight for a small market that has given itself the outsized moniker of Soccer City USA. And in other circumstances, it would’ve been a wholly straightforward showcase of the city’s love affair with the sport.

Yet some of the locals who should theoretically be the most thrilled for this weekend confess to feeling mixed emotions instead. The relationship between the club and its biggest fans had frayed over the last few years. That was before The Athletic reported accusations of sexual coercion against former Portland Thorns coach Paul Riley.

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