Portland soccer fans endured chilly temperatures to support the U.S. Women’s National Team (WNT) when they visited the City of Roses last week. On Tuesday, several hundred fans were treated to a practice session at JELD-WEN Field that was free and open to the public. The next evening, more than 10,000 people watched the team face off against the national team from the Republic of Ireland.

The match was held as part of the U.S. team’s Fan Tribute Tour in celebration of the team winning gold at the London Olympics this past summer. After beating France, Colombia, and Korea DPR in group play of the games, the team defeated New Zealand in the quarterfinal round. In one of the most dramatic matches in Olympic soccer history, the U.S. beat Team Canada near the end of overtime of the semifinal game to advance to the championship.

The Olympic final featured the American squad taking on the skilled Japanese team that had defeated them in the championship match of the 2011 Women’s World Cup. In a highly competitive game played before 80,203 spectators at Wembley Stadium, the U.S. women won their fourth Olympic gold medal.

Portland was the sixth of 10 matches on the Fan Tribute Tour, which has travelled to New York, California, Colorado, Illinois, Connecticut, and Arizona. The last three games will feature the Steel Roses of China as the opponent. Games are scheduled in Michigan, Texas, and Florida.

The fans in Portland were thrilled to have the U.S. players in town and were treated to a 5-0 victory over Ireland that featured a first-half hat trick by Alex Morgan in addition to two goals by Sydney Leroux in the second half.

Kara Kiyokawa, a 14-year-old Hood River resident who plays for the Bridlemile Soccer Club, enthusiastically described the U.S. team’s trip to Portland as "exciting!"

Elyse Laurin, a senior at Wilsonville High School, echoed Kiyokawa’s excitement, explaining that it was the second time she’d seen the team play a match in person. "I love them so much," she said.

"This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the women’s gold medal soccer team," said 12-year-old Emily Hoskinson. "They have great foot skills. It was an awesome game. I am so lucky!"

Emily travelled from Eugene with her mother Flo and eight-year-old sister Olivia to watch the game as well as the open practice session.

"I learned a tip from watching the game," added an inspired Olivia. "When the ball comes to me, I need to zoom with the ball before the defender catches up to me … I’m going to be the next Abby Wambach. And I’m going to play in the Olympics!"

The match in Portland took place just a week after an announcement that Portland would be the home of a team in the new professional women’s soccer league.

The new league will launch in April of next year with teams based in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Kansas City, Boston, New Jersey, western New York, and Washington, D.C. The U.S. Soccer Federation, the Canadian Soccer Association, and the Mexican Federation of Football are providing support to help sustain the league by covering the salaries of their respective national team players who play in the league.

The Timbers organization is fully supporting the team and the league.

"The Timbers are, and always will be, steadfastly committed to growing the sport of soccer in our region at all levels, and championing a new women’s league and operating a team here in Soccer City, USA, will be an important part of that growth," Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said in a statement.

Soccer enthusiasts are eager for the new league as well. "I am excited to have a professional women’s soccer league so close to home," said Flo, the mother of Emily and Olivia, who hinted the family would be coming up to Portland to watch some games. "The popularity of women’s soccer has had phenomenal growth and I am looking forward to the many opportunities for our young female athletes."

To follow the Fan Tribute Tour during its last three games, visit <www.ussoccer.com>. To put a deposit down on tickets for the professional women’s soccer league matches in Portland, call (503) 553-5555 or e-mail <ticketsales@portlandtimbers.com>.