Sam Svilar
@sammich923.bsky.social
He/Him. Says a lot of stuff about a lot of things. Mostly soccer and sports stuff. Blog boy for Stumptown Footy. Still Diego Valeri forever.
https://stumptown-footy.ghost.io/
https://stumptown-footy.ghost.io/
David Da Costa’s timeline for return is set at approximately four months, meaning that he will likely miss Portland’s first 5-6 matches of 2026 #RCTID
📃 | David Da Costa underwent a successful stabilization surgery on his left shoulder.
We're wishing you a speedy recovery, David! 💚
Read more: bit.ly/4onIcx9
We're wishing you a speedy recovery, David! 💚
Read more: bit.ly/4onIcx9
November 26, 2025 at 9:11 PM
David Da Costa’s timeline for return is set at approximately four months, meaning that he will likely miss Portland’s first 5-6 matches of 2026 #RCTID
Reposted by Sam Svilar
The Portland Thorns announced that the club and Head Coach Rob Gale have agreed to part ways #BAONPDX
“We thank Rob for his contributions and wish him the best in his next endeavor.” - Jeff Agoos
Assistant Coach Sarah Lowdon will serve as interim head coach.
Also Departing: Adam Day
“We thank Rob for his contributions and wish him the best in his next endeavor.” - Jeff Agoos
Assistant Coach Sarah Lowdon will serve as interim head coach.
Also Departing: Adam Day
BREAKING: Portland Thorns and head coach Rob Gale agree to part ways - immediate search for a replacement has begun
Today, the Portland Thorns have announced the club and Head Coach Rob Gale have agreed to part ways.
Gale took over at the early stages of the 2023 season for Mike Norris. He led the team to consecut...
stumptown-footy.ghost.io
November 26, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The Portland Thorns announced that the club and Head Coach Rob Gale have agreed to part ways #BAONPDX
“We thank Rob for his contributions and wish him the best in his next endeavor.” - Jeff Agoos
Assistant Coach Sarah Lowdon will serve as interim head coach.
Also Departing: Adam Day
“We thank Rob for his contributions and wish him the best in his next endeavor.” - Jeff Agoos
Assistant Coach Sarah Lowdon will serve as interim head coach.
Also Departing: Adam Day
Oh WOW. Big call to make after a year where the team vastly overcame expectations. #BAONPDX
BREAKING #NWSL NEWS: The Portland Thorns have fired head coach Rob Gale.
The Thorns finished third this season and made the semifinals. Results were up and down, although they also dealt with lots of key absences.
The Thorns finished third this season and made the semifinals. Results were up and down, although they also dealt with lots of key absences.
Sources: Portland Thorns fire coach Rob Gale
The Portland Thorns have fired head coach Rob Gale, multiple sources told ESPN.
www.espn.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Oh WOW. Big call to make after a year where the team vastly overcame expectations. #BAONPDX
“Everton play for almost 80 minutes down a man after Gana gets sent off for slapping his own teammate AND THEY BLOODY WIN” - things that, again, sound made up, but, again, I swear to god are true.
Up the freakin’ Toffees #EFC #UTFT
Up the freakin’ Toffees #EFC #UTFT
“Idrissa Gana Gueye gets shown a straight red for shoving his own teammate in the face” - things that sound made up but I swear to god actually happen, and only to Everton #EFC
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
“Idrissa Gana Gueye gets shown a straight red for shoving his own teammate in the face” - things that sound made up but I swear to god actually happen, and only to Everton #EFC
November 24, 2025 at 8:33 PM
“Idrissa Gana Gueye gets shown a straight red for shoving his own teammate in the face” - things that sound made up but I swear to god actually happen, and only to Everton #EFC
Oh no whomever could have predicted such a tragedy was going to occur??
(Timbers fans. It’s Timbers fans whom could have predicted such a tragedy) #RCTID
(Timbers fans. It’s Timbers fans whom could have predicted such a tragedy) #RCTID
There will be lots to unpack in the aftermath of this for everyone in Cincy – fingers to point everywhere – but it probably shouldn't be ignored that Evander's now no-showed two straight postseasons.
November 23, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Oh no whomever could have predicted such a tragedy was going to occur??
(Timbers fans. It’s Timbers fans whom could have predicted such a tragedy) #RCTID
(Timbers fans. It’s Timbers fans whom could have predicted such a tragedy) #RCTID
Guys I think God wants the Whitecaps to win MLS Cup. Only logical explanation. What a game.
November 23, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Guys I think God wants the Whitecaps to win MLS Cup. Only logical explanation. What a game.
My god this ‘Caps vs LAFC game. Just some classic MLS after dark voodoo.
Whatever happens in this shootout is going to be hilarious.
Whatever happens in this shootout is going to be hilarious.
November 23, 2025 at 5:31 AM
My god this ‘Caps vs LAFC game. Just some classic MLS after dark voodoo.
Whatever happens in this shootout is going to be hilarious.
Whatever happens in this shootout is going to be hilarious.
Vegas Grand Prix on one half of the screen, Dawgs vs UCLA on the other, and some classic MLS playoff nonsense on the second screen.
My ADHD sports-loving heart is happy.
My ADHD sports-loving heart is happy.
November 23, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Vegas Grand Prix on one half of the screen, Dawgs vs UCLA on the other, and some classic MLS playoff nonsense on the second screen.
My ADHD sports-loving heart is happy.
My ADHD sports-loving heart is happy.
To my knowledge, Dodd hasn’t said much at all since coming to Portland - except to our Finnish lad @luukasojala.bsky.social, who absolutely nailed this interview.
Awesome stuff here on the academy, a club philosophy, and the vision for a true Timbers pipeline. #RCTID
Awesome stuff here on the academy, a club philosophy, and the vision for a true Timbers pipeline. #RCTID
Over the last several years, the Portland Timbers have seen an importance placed on the developmental pathway. @luukasojala.bsky.social sits down with Technical Director Jack Dodd to discuss player development and organizational alignment. #RCTID
Club Roots: Part 1 - Interview with Timbers Technical Director Jack Dodd
A conversation with Timbers Technical Director Jack Dodd on player development and organizational alignment from academy to the first team: "Everybody wants to see their own people in the team".
stumptown-footy.ghost.io
November 22, 2025 at 2:10 AM
To my knowledge, Dodd hasn’t said much at all since coming to Portland - except to our Finnish lad @luukasojala.bsky.social, who absolutely nailed this interview.
Awesome stuff here on the academy, a club philosophy, and the vision for a true Timbers pipeline. #RCTID
Awesome stuff here on the academy, a club philosophy, and the vision for a true Timbers pipeline. #RCTID
Reposted by Sam Svilar
Today and Always: Trans People Belong
107ist.org/RivetersBlog...
#BAONPDX #TDOR25 #TransgenderDayOfRemembrance
107ist.org/RivetersBlog...
#BAONPDX #TDOR25 #TransgenderDayOfRemembrance
November 20, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Today and Always: Trans People Belong
107ist.org/RivetersBlog...
#BAONPDX #TDOR25 #TransgenderDayOfRemembrance
107ist.org/RivetersBlog...
#BAONPDX #TDOR25 #TransgenderDayOfRemembrance
Reposted by Sam Svilar
Today is the day to repost this meme about International Men's Day, one of the most unironically wholesome memes that has ever been made.
Shoutout to all my fellow champs, chiefs, and kings. ✊
Shoutout to all my fellow champs, chiefs, and kings. ✊
November 19, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Today is the day to repost this meme about International Men's Day, one of the most unironically wholesome memes that has ever been made.
Shoutout to all my fellow champs, chiefs, and kings. ✊
Shoutout to all my fellow champs, chiefs, and kings. ✊
Reposted by Sam Svilar
Our 2nd annual @espn.com anonymous #NWSL general manager survey is here, and the clearest trend from hours of interviews over the past two months is what's now playing out: concern about the limitations of the salary cap, and the inability to retain and attract the world's top players (inc. #USWNT).
NWSL GM survey: Is the salary cap a problem? Are teams still breaking rules?
ESPN's NWSL GM survey returns as execs dish on the worst front offices, tensions with USWNT, breaking the rules, their player wish list and more.
www.espn.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Our 2nd annual @espn.com anonymous #NWSL general manager survey is here, and the clearest trend from hours of interviews over the past two months is what's now playing out: concern about the limitations of the salary cap, and the inability to retain and attract the world's top players (inc. #USWNT).
Bummer to go out like this, but the Thornies can hold their heads high and proud. Defied all kinds of expectations, unearthed some genuine young stars, and proved that that Thorns passion and belief is still alive and well.
Future is bright as hell. Bring on 2026. Onward. #BAONPDX
Future is bright as hell. Bring on 2026. Onward. #BAONPDX
November 15, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Bummer to go out like this, but the Thornies can hold their heads high and proud. Defied all kinds of expectations, unearthed some genuine young stars, and proved that that Thorns passion and belief is still alive and well.
Future is bright as hell. Bring on 2026. Onward. #BAONPDX
Future is bright as hell. Bring on 2026. Onward. #BAONPDX
Well dang. Despite getting wholly outplayed, it really took just two individual mistakes in two moments to sink the Thorns. That’s the margin sometimes. #BAONPDX
November 15, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Well dang. Despite getting wholly outplayed, it really took just two individual mistakes in two moments to sink the Thorns. That’s the margin sometimes. #BAONPDX
Thorns have well and truly been under siege for most of the match. Spirit are everywhere.
And yet Portland trails by just a goal. All they need is one moment.
Who wants to be a hero? #BAONPDX
And yet Portland trails by just a goal. All they need is one moment.
Who wants to be a hero? #BAONPDX
November 15, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Thorns have well and truly been under siege for most of the match. Spirit are everywhere.
And yet Portland trails by just a goal. All they need is one moment.
Who wants to be a hero? #BAONPDX
And yet Portland trails by just a goal. All they need is one moment.
Who wants to be a hero? #BAONPDX
Reposted by Sam Svilar
The more straightforward story is that the Timbers schedule was softer in the first half (1.26 PPG opp avg) than in the second (1.45 PPG opp avg), and that they did well against bad teams (1.9 PPG v opps <1.2 PPG) and horrifically against playoff-caliber teams (0.69 PPG v opps >1.5 PPG). #RCTID
Phil Neville describes 2026 as "two seasons":
- Up until the Leagues Cup, when squad was healthy and consistent
- After Leagues Cup, when team lost consistency
Says that it was his job to help the team find consistency, and he failed at that this year. #RCTID
- Up until the Leagues Cup, when squad was healthy and consistent
- After Leagues Cup, when team lost consistency
Says that it was his job to help the team find consistency, and he failed at that this year. #RCTID
November 14, 2025 at 12:40 AM
The more straightforward story is that the Timbers schedule was softer in the first half (1.26 PPG opp avg) than in the second (1.45 PPG opp avg), and that they did well against bad teams (1.9 PPG v opps <1.2 PPG) and horrifically against playoff-caliber teams (0.69 PPG v opps >1.5 PPG). #RCTID
This will accomplish a few things, all genuinely making MLS better:
- align with Europe, maximize summer windows
- allow full alignment with intl breaks
- create more opportunities for hilarious MLS moments (Snowbowl IV? Melting in Miami? More thanksgiving games??)
- align with Europe, maximize summer windows
- allow full alignment with intl breaks
- create more opportunities for hilarious MLS moments (Snowbowl IV? Melting in Miami? More thanksgiving games??)
As part of the shift, the 2027–28 MLS regular season will kick off in mid-to-late July 2027 and conclude with the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in May 2028.
MLS will observe a midwinter break from mid-December through early February, with no league matches scheduled in January.
MLS will observe a midwinter break from mid-December through early February, with no league matches scheduled in January.
November 13, 2025 at 9:49 PM
This will accomplish a few things, all genuinely making MLS better:
- align with Europe, maximize summer windows
- allow full alignment with intl breaks
- create more opportunities for hilarious MLS moments (Snowbowl IV? Melting in Miami? More thanksgiving games??)
- align with Europe, maximize summer windows
- allow full alignment with intl breaks
- create more opportunities for hilarious MLS moments (Snowbowl IV? Melting in Miami? More thanksgiving games??)
Reposted by Sam Svilar
BREAKING: Timbers legend Diego Chara is officially coming back for year-16 with Portland. #RCTID
“Really happy talking about the future”
“Really happy talking about the future”
November 13, 2025 at 7:57 PM
BREAKING: Timbers legend Diego Chara is officially coming back for year-16 with Portland. #RCTID
“Really happy talking about the future”
“Really happy talking about the future”
Kristoffer Velde, on his preferred position moving forward: "I'm pretty sure I came in and f***ed up the whole system. I don't Phil [Neville] and Dave [van den Bergh] knew exactly where to put me." Says that he does prefer to play on the left. #RCTID
November 13, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Kristoffer Velde, on his preferred position moving forward: "I'm pretty sure I came in and f***ed up the whole system. I don't Phil [Neville] and Dave [van den Bergh] knew exactly where to put me." Says that he does prefer to play on the left. #RCTID
Neville, on his assessment going into his third year: "I think I'm at the point where I have to deliver. We have to win. The demands I have for myself are the same demands the fans of this football club have for me." #RCTID
November 13, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Neville, on his assessment going into his third year: "I think I'm at the point where I have to deliver. We have to win. The demands I have for myself are the same demands the fans of this football club have for me." #RCTID
Neville describes his team as "A 4-2-3-1 team that wants to score goals and play fast and entertaining football. And we need to be more consistent at that." #RCTID
November 13, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Neville describes his team as "A 4-2-3-1 team that wants to score goals and play fast and entertaining football. And we need to be more consistent at that." #RCTID
Phil Neville describes 2026 as "two seasons":
- Up until the Leagues Cup, when squad was healthy and consistent
- After Leagues Cup, when team lost consistency
Says that it was his job to help the team find consistency, and he failed at that this year. #RCTID
- Up until the Leagues Cup, when squad was healthy and consistent
- After Leagues Cup, when team lost consistency
Says that it was his job to help the team find consistency, and he failed at that this year. #RCTID
November 13, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Phil Neville describes 2026 as "two seasons":
- Up until the Leagues Cup, when squad was healthy and consistent
- After Leagues Cup, when team lost consistency
Says that it was his job to help the team find consistency, and he failed at that this year. #RCTID
- Up until the Leagues Cup, when squad was healthy and consistent
- After Leagues Cup, when team lost consistency
Says that it was his job to help the team find consistency, and he failed at that this year. #RCTID
Biggest takeaways from Ned Grabavoy's exit presser:
- Ayala, Mora, Chara, and Pantemis all had 2026 options picked up
- Paredes had option declined, will be departing club
- Da Costa dealt with recurring & limiting shoulder injury since Leagues Cup
- Jona not expected back until July #RCTID
- Ayala, Mora, Chara, and Pantemis all had 2026 options picked up
- Paredes had option declined, will be departing club
- Da Costa dealt with recurring & limiting shoulder injury since Leagues Cup
- Jona not expected back until July #RCTID
November 13, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Biggest takeaways from Ned Grabavoy's exit presser:
- Ayala, Mora, Chara, and Pantemis all had 2026 options picked up
- Paredes had option declined, will be departing club
- Da Costa dealt with recurring & limiting shoulder injury since Leagues Cup
- Jona not expected back until July #RCTID
- Ayala, Mora, Chara, and Pantemis all had 2026 options picked up
- Paredes had option declined, will be departing club
- Da Costa dealt with recurring & limiting shoulder injury since Leagues Cup
- Jona not expected back until July #RCTID
All three of Felipe Mora, James Pantemis, and Diego Chara have had their 2026 options picked up.
One more year for the old guard of Mora and Chara, and Pantemis cements his spot as the number one keeper. #RCTID
One more year for the old guard of Mora and Chara, and Pantemis cements his spot as the number one keeper. #RCTID
November 13, 2025 at 7:20 PM
All three of Felipe Mora, James Pantemis, and Diego Chara have had their 2026 options picked up.
One more year for the old guard of Mora and Chara, and Pantemis cements his spot as the number one keeper. #RCTID
One more year for the old guard of Mora and Chara, and Pantemis cements his spot as the number one keeper. #RCTID