The Rose City Breakdown

Phuoc Nguyen and Melina Gaspar
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Sports News

2026 is truly a momentous year for women's sports in the Rose City. 2026 also marks the first year where the state and city will have three professional women’s sports teams: Portland Thorns (NWSL), Portland Fire (WNBA), and Portland Cascade (AUSL). The Rose City Breakdown is a Cascadia FC and Stumptown Footy collaboration. This new podcast comes with one simple premise: We want to highlight women's sports in Portland, giving teams a safe platform and the coverage they deserve. Each episode will have something for everyone, whether you want high level discussions, deeper dive into analytics, tactical breakdowns, or interviews that capture all types of stories and invoke all sorts of emotions. What to expect? Phuoc Nguyen: Lead host providing key information and updatesMelina Gaspar: Lead analytics and tactical mastermindLily Crane: Lead voice, reporter, and commentatorIf you see our logo, it is created by the one and only Jacob Stevens, who also created the latest Stumptown Footy logo. And once again, delivers another masterpiece.

  1. 4d ago

    Nina Nijstad Interview, Portland Thorns potentially making addition via NWSL trade/loan?, Providence Park home unbeaten streak comes to an end at 13 games vs Washington Spirit

    Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown! After opening up the scoring on a penalty kick from Sophia Wilson, the Portland Thorns once again could not hold the 1-0 lead. The home side came out on the front foot and dominated the first half before the nightmare in the second half. They fell 1-2 at Providence Park to Washington Spirit who stormed back in the second half with two goals - ending a 13 home unbeaten streak. The dynamic duo of Phuoc Nguyen (Fook Win) and Melina Gaspar take a deep-dive on the game and discuss it all including the infamous non-call on the handball from Tara Rudd and PRO (Professional Referee Organization) response. In Melina's corner she dives into lingering defensive concerns, Jessie Fleming's (19 defensive actions, 9 duels won, 91% passing accuracy) masterclass, Nina Nijstad's improvement, and much more. Head coach Robert Vilahamn addressed the media and discussed the transfer window. Could the club be looking to make an addition ahead of the playoffs? Definitely a possibility, but the NWSL as the priority. INTERVIEW: Nina Nijstad has taken the league by storm and has flourished in midfield for PTFC. We had an opportunity to sit down with her and discuss making the move from the Netherlands all the way to the United States and the National Women's Soccer League. She also opens up with how hard the move has been being away from family and friends for so long.

  2. Sep 3

    TRANSFER WINDOW, the bench, Jessie Flemings heroics, backline shape, and the Pietra Tordin “Conundrum”

    Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown! On this episode, Phuoc Nguyen (Fook Win) and Melina Gaspar discuss all things Portland Thorns. - Match recap of Portland Thorns' 1-1 draw at Gotham FC - Defensive shape improvements - Bench issues? Robert Vilahamn has only used four total subs the past two matches - Zero minutes for Reyna Reyes, Reilyn Turner, and Marie Müller - Concerns key players could be leaving soon? - The Pietra Tordin 'Conundrum' - Is her versatility helping or hurting her/team? - Melina's Corner: Jessie Fleming masterclass and a lot of positives from M.A. Vignola, Carolyn Calzada and the backline - Washington Spirit preview - Transfer Window's major priority and what to expect

  3. Aug 27

    Where is Reyna Reyes? Thorns’ 1-0 win over Orlando, Gotham FC match preview, and more!

    Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown! In the first half of the episode, Phuoc and Melina discuss the following: - Match recap of Portland Thorns' 1-0 win over Orlando Pride - Postgame comments from Robert Vilahamn and Nick Cushing - The identity of PTFC: Counterattacking Football - Where the heck is Reyna Reyes? Why her absence doesn't make any sense even after hearing the initial responses - Updates on Reilyn Turner, Morgan Weaver, Marie Müller, and Isa Obaze - Melina's Corner featuring a masterclass from Jessie Fleming, Pietra Tordin, and major improvements from Nina Nijstad. In the final half, Anumita Jain of All For XI and The IX joins us to preview the Gotham FC super-clash. - How has Gotham been so dominant? - Is there a concern about their future with the amount of young players being sent away for veterans? - Is the 2-2 result in the first matchup a precursor to this matchup? - One player from backline, midfield, and frontline to watch - What metrics/stats will determine the outcome of this game? - Does Portland having Caiya Hanks and Morgan Weaver back make this a more even affair?

  4. Aug 20

    Caiya Hanks’ Dream Return, Deyna Castellanos absolute GOLAZO, and Denver Summit Preview

    Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown. The Portland Thorns are coming off a thrilling 2-1 win over Orlando Pride including a GOLAZO from Deyna Castellanos and the epic return from Caiya Hanks with her 96th minute game-winner. Co-hosts Phuoc Nguyen (Fook Win) and Melina Gaspar cover it all including: - Match Recap - Why the three points picked up aren't exactly a recipe for success, especially if you look at the statistics and metrics - Sam Hiatt and Reyna Reyes omissions and what it means moving forward - Meghan Klingenberg honored and Tobin Heath is next - Melina's Corner with a lot of defensive issues still remaining - What to do about the 10 position moving forward? - Denver Summit FC match preview

  5. Aug 13

    Olivia Moultrie Out for the Rest of the Season, Thorns’ 4-3 Win over Boston, and a Reality Check

    Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown! On this episode, co-hosts Phuoc Nguyen (Fook Win) and Melina Gaspar discuss it all: - USWNT midfielder Olivia Moultrie's heartbreaking ACL injury - What options the team has in her absence - The good, bad, and the ugly in 4-3 win over Boston Legacy - The defensive issues and why it won't be going away anytime soon - Does Robert Vilahamn deserve more resources from the front office? - Why President/GM Jeff Agoos deserves credit for the frontline, but also needs to take responsibility for the state of the backline - A potential formation change with a new role for Reyna Reyes - Orlando Pride matchup preview with some problematic stats for PTFC BONUS: Melina shows off her Spider-Man: Brand New Day pin

  6. Aug 7

    Portland Thorns’ Reality Check With The Guys From Expected Own Goals and Boston Legacy Match Preview with Jackie Contreras of The Blazing Musket

    Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown Podcast! Phuoc Nguyen and Melina Gaspar are joined by Eric Morgan and Evan Davis of the Expected Own Goals podcast to talk the Portland Thorns' brutal 1-5 loss at Utah Royals, the unclear identity under Robert Vilahamn, alarming metrics that could spell doom, Jeff Agoos' track record as president and GM, and much more. In the second half, Jackie Contreras of the Blazing Musket joins us to preview the match at Boston Legacy.

  7. Aug 1

    Draw vs Gotham FC, The Return of Morgan Weaver, and Utah Royals Match Preview

    Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown! Melina Gaspar reviews the film in the thrilling 2-2 draw vs Gotham FC, issues that need to be fixed, and what stood out most. The duo also discuss the road and defensive woes the Portland Thorns are currently facing, the return of Morgan Weaver, and much more. In the second half, Phuoc Nguyen talks with Royal Riot's Sean Moran to preview the Utah Royals matchup.

  8. Jul 23

    Portland Thorns’ Road Woes Continue and Gotham FC Match Preview with Anumita Jain

    Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown! On this episode, Melina's corner shows game footage of the ways Denver Summit FC exploited the Portland Thorns. The duo discuss the continuing issues on the road and closing at games (six goals allowed in the last 15 minutes - second most in NWSL). In the second half, Anumita Jain of All For XI, The IX, and Equalizer Soccer joins us to talk all things Gotham FC including: the historic defense, Sam Kerr, Denise O'Sullivan, injuries and early adversity, and gives insight into PTFC's transfer needs.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

2026 is truly a momentous year for women's sports in the Rose City. 2026 also marks the first year where the state and city will have three professional women’s sports teams: Portland Thorns (NWSL), Portland Fire (WNBA), and Portland Cascade (AUSL). The Rose City Breakdown is a Cascadia FC and Stumptown Footy collaboration. This new podcast comes with one simple premise: We want to highlight women's sports in Portland, giving teams a safe platform and the coverage they deserve. Each episode will have something for everyone, whether you want high level discussions, deeper dive into analytics, tactical breakdowns, or interviews that capture all types of stories and invoke all sorts of emotions. What to expect? Phuoc Nguyen: Lead host providing key information and updatesMelina Gaspar: Lead analytics and tactical mastermindLily Crane: Lead voice, reporter, and commentatorIf you see our logo, it is created by the one and only Jacob Stevens, who also created the latest Stumptown Footy logo. And once again, delivers another masterpiece.

Information

  • Creator
    Phuoc Nguyen and Melina Gaspar
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Cascadia FC 2023
  • Show Website
    The Rose City Breakdown

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