Because I was early, I navigated my way from Union Station, through Chinatown, and towards the waterfront. I heard there was a farmer’s market but what I didn’t expect were cherry blossoms. I enjoyed an hour long walk before I had went to pick up my rental car for the day. My Lyft driver had actually studied sports management and was a season ticket holder. He shared his theory on how the rise of different sports is linked to the rise of different forms of media. For instance, baseball and radio or American football and television. And soccer? Video games (FIFA). The conversation was cut short because we had arrived. However, I think this was the first of many signs that I was truly in a soccer city.

Adler Stree Food Market Pod.

I actually stayed in a small inn (4) near Providence Park so after I settled in, I ventured into the city in search for coffee and food. After all, I had to survive two games back to back. I picked up a latte from Dutch Bros. and stumbled on Adler Street Food Market Pod (5). For those who haven’t been — this is one block with so many different selections of food and a parking lot in the middle. I think I looped the block twice before I settled on some Thai food. I know Portland natives don’t like hearing it but it really did remind me of a smaller, perhaps more quaint version of Seattle. The area near Providence Park had some unique architecture that I absolutely loved. There were no super tall skyscrapers, at least I didn’t encounter anything similar to what I encounter on a daily basis. It even felt like less foot traffic as I walked all throughout the downtown area.