When you think of Oregon, a few wonderful topics might come to mind. The great outdoors, small beach towns, and constant flows of rain are typical to think about. These are just some of the details that make Oregon special. The sports teams in Oregon make locals feel proud when they talk about their home state. Fans in Oregon come together on a regular basis to root for their teams.
For this article, 24/7 Tempo consulted different outside sources. These include NBA.com, MLS.com, and NWSLsoccer.com. These are the most popular sports teams in Oregon.
Portland Trail Blazers
The only of the four major sports to be in Oregon is the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA. While the Blazers have had some down years of late, they were widely considered to be one of the most dangerous thanks to star players like Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. The duo led the Blazers to the Western Conference Finals in 2019, although they would lose to the Golden State Warriors.
The Blazers are most commonly thought of thanks to Bill Walton leading them to the 1977 NBA Championship. They would go onto two more finals in 1990 and 1992, losing to the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls respectively. Although the Blazers aren’t where they want to be right now, Portland and all of Oregon can agree they’re one of the best shows in town.
Portland Timbers
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 03: Dairon Asprilla #27 of Portland Timbers controls the ball against the Seattle Sounders d2hat Lumen Field on June 03, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Soccer has exploded in the United States over the last decade. One of the biggest reasons is the success of teams like the Portland Timbers. The current iteration of the Timbers has been around since 2011, and the team has known almost nothing but success. They’ve been to three MLS Cups, winning back in 2015. They also won the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020 after sports had shut down due to Covid-19.
They become a playoff team nearly every year. Their fan base is known as being one of the rowdiest and most passionate. Whenever the Timbers score a goal, fans cut a piece of wood from a tree to celebrate. Soccer in Oregon is high up on everyone’s list, and it’s almost impossible to not find a game going on outside.
Portland Thorns FC
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 15: Reyana Reyes #2 of the Portland Thorns controls the ball during the second half of a game against Angel City FC at BMO Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
The popularity of women’s soccer has grown even faster than men, thanks to the success of the USWNT in the recent World Cups. Portland Thorns FC started playing in 2013 and they routinely are near the tops of the league in attendance. Both the Thorns and Timbers play at Providence Park. The Thorns won three NWSL Championships, with the most recent taking place in 2022.
They’re always near the top of the standings during the regular season, having captured the NWSL Shield for most points in 2016 and 2021. These are just some of the championships the Thorns have already won in their short history. Young girls throughout Oregon have a strong team to look up to and admire as they grow up.
Oregon Ducks Football
College football is king in almost every part of the country. This is no different in Oregon, with the Ducks being one of the most recognizable and most followed teams in the entire nation. Fans love the support they get from Nike, since founder Phil Knight attended the university. The team wears a brand new uniform for every game and always has the flashiest and best gear out of any team in college football.
While many love this, others are bothered by it. This is due to the lack of a national championship in the state of Oregon. The team played in both the 2010 and 2014 title games, coming up just short in both. Oregon is able to recruit some of the best players thanks to the Nike connection. With them changing to the Big 10 Conference next season, fans are excited to see how it goes for them.
Oregon State Beavers Football
EL PASO, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Outside linebacker Cory Stover #82 of the Oregon State Beavers shoves wide receiver Jaden Greathouse #19 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish out of bounds during the second half of the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl game at Sun Bowl Stadium on December 29, 2023 in El Paso, Texas. The Fighting Irish defeated the Beavers 40-8. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
The Oregon Ducks aren’t the only college football team in the state of Oregon. The Oregon State Beavers have really started to make their mark, being one of the most consistent teams in the nation. While they might not have the same Nike connections and flash Oregon has, they still boast one of the best coaching staffs ever. They also have one of the strongest fan bases in college football.
The rivalry between both Oregon and Oregon State has created fans that are so passionate, it almost defines who they are as a person. Like Oregon, the Beavers haven’t won a national championship yet. Fans are waiting to see who can pull it off first, as the winner will undoubtedly have bragging rights for a long time. If you’re looking to read more about sports in the northwest, click here to read more about the most popular sports teams in Washington.