Approximately 20 "Save Women's Sports" activists were forcibly removed from a Portland Thorns match on Friday night following a physical and verbal confrontation with other spectators at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. The incident occurred during the Thorns' game against the North Carolina Courage, an event the club had designated as "Fan Appreciation" night. The group, which included women's sports activist Amy Sousa and commentator Brandi Kruse, initially concealed their XX-XY Athletics shirts throughout the first half. At the start of the second half, they revealed the shirts and unfurled a banner reading "Save Women's Sports," triggering the escalation.
According to a preliminary account, opposing fans, described as supporters of transgender inclusion in women's sports, responded with verbal abuse and physical aggression. Members of the XX-XY group alleged they were struck with flagpoles carrying trans flags and had drinks thrown at them. Security personnel subsequently escorted the demonstrators out of the stadium. Sousa stated that she and other attendees filed police reports after being removed. She described the group as being attacked by fans and hit with flags, noting that an ADA woman using a walker was forcibly pushed out of the door. Kruse added that another attendee was punched in the face and that one person was pushed over their seat.
The timing of the banner reveal was strategic, as Sousa hoped to avoid ejection because soccer has no official breaks in play. However, members of the Rose City Riveters, a pro-trans supporters group, appeared to anticipate the demonstration. Just before the second half began, several fans received transgender pride flags, which they used to obstruct views of the banner and the XX-XY supporters. One man sitting across from the group was heard shouting slurs, followed by chants of "Trans lives matter!"
OutKick reporter Matt Calkins, who was credentialed for the match, documented the confrontation but also faced aggression. He reported being flipped off, called a Nazi, having his phone knocked out of his hand, and having beer poured on his neck. The interaction was captured on video by Calkins. When security removed Kruse, she was restrained by a guard who walked her up the stairs to the concourse. Kruse questioned why she was being asked to leave while those who assaulted her were not removed. She stated she refused to leave on her own accord until two security guards physically took her out.
A separate security guard briefly removed Calkins' credential while he interviewed Sousa but returned it seconds later without explanation. Jim McCausland, the director of security, said he did not have time to speak when contacted for comment. The Thorns' communications director did not respond to requests regarding why XX-XY attendees were ejected while alleged assaulters were not.
Ari Laureano, who detransitioned, remained at the match despite fears for safety. He reported being struck in the face by a flagpole shortly after revealing his shirt. Laureano noted that assaulters used flags as a barricade while striking women in his group. He expressed frustration with media portrayals of the group as bigots, stating that he is present as a gay man who was harmed by being transitioned young.
The National Women's Soccer League does not have a policy automatically excluding male-born players, similar to the WNBA. In related political developments, voters in Washington and Colorado will decide on Nov. 3 whether to adopt initiatives limiting sports participation by biological sex; Washington's proposal covers K-12 athletics, while Colorado's would include college sports. Activists including Sousa, Kruse, and XX-XY founder Jennifer Sey have campaigned for these measures but stated they do not use violence or vitriol as tactics.