Soaked from the rain and sure exhausted after a bodily, aggressive 90 minutes towards OL Reign on Friday, Portland Thorns midfielder Hina Sugita appeared up within the stands and displayed a large, infectious smile. She raised her fingers and waved at a swath of followers chanting her title and waving Japanese flags, discovering a slice of dwelling and belonging within the Pacific Northwest.
The practically 300 followers included a bunch of representatives and beneficiaries of the Japan-America Society of Oregon, which linked up with the Thorns to fill Part 221 of Windfall Park and help Sugita.