Welcome to the Fire Pit: Portland embraces its reborn WNBA team

Portland has embraced its reborn WNBA team, the Fire, with open arms. This surge of support is unsurprising, given the city's long-standing love for women's sports. The Fire currently rank fourth in the league, drawing an average of 14,500 fans per game, only behind the Golden State Valkyries, New York Liberty, and Indiana Fever. The team christened their home arena the "Fire Pit," incorporating pyrotechnics into game introductions.

Coach Alex Sarama attributes the team's electric atmosphere to the local fan base, crediting their enthusiastic support. This is Portland's second go-round with a WNBA team - their first, established in 2000, folded after just one season. The city's passionate support for women's sports is evident, from the University of Portland's soccer team to the nation's first women's sports bar, the Sports Bra.

The Fire are led by their inaugural coach, Alex Sarama, who practices an innovative coaching method called Constraints-Led Approach. Under his guidance, the team has had a solid start, finishing ninth in the league with a 13-19 record. The team's star players include guard Carla Leite and forward Bridget Carleton, who were both selected in the WNBA expansion draft. However, the team has lost guard Sarah Ashlee Barker to a season-ending ACL injury.

Fan Laura Belfour praises the team's welcoming atmosphere and the inclusion of families with young children. Guard Megan DiLeo, formerly known as Megan Gustafson, has gained local celebrity status, even penning a children's book about her corgi, Pancake. The Fire's resurgence in Portland shows the city's unwavering support for women's sports.