Share this @internewscast.com

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Luna Rios-Cruz trains for soccer with fancy footwork and pure focus. Now 17, she’s been playing soccer since she was a young kid. Most recently she’s played with Portland Street Soccer, the non-profit that uses the game to fight poverty and connect low-income kids with meaningful opportunities.

“I feel like it can bring anyone together,” Rios-Cruz told local affiliate KOIN. “No matter what the background is, or no matter what, soccer is a good way to have that bond and have that chemistry with those people.”

On this night, she was playing in a soccer tournament on the rooftop of Industry One — two players per team with the city as a backdrop.

  • A rooftop soccer event was held at Industry One, 415 SW 10th in Portland, August 5, 2025 (KOIN)
  • A rooftop soccer event was held at Industry One, 415 SW 10th in Portland, August 5, 2025 (KOIN)
  • A rooftop soccer event was held at Industry One, 415 SW 10th in Portland, August 5, 2025 (KOIN)
  • A rooftop soccer event was held at Industry One, 415 SW 10th in Portland, August 5, 2025 (KOIN)

Portland Street Soccer teamed with Industry One, 415 SW 10th, to bring the game from the streets to the roof in a celebration of Soccer City. Julian Alexander, the director for Portland Street Soccer, is turning that passion into a platform.

“Basically if you want to play soccer we’re going to try and find a way for you to do it for free,” Alexander said. “It is so amazing to be able to bring all of those different people, all those kids, together.”

Though it looked like a rooftop party, the event was actually part of a larger art exhibit called Groundbreakers. The free Groundbreakers exhibition, which runs through mid-September, celebrates Portland’s unique soccer culture through art, storytelling and community events.

It highlights 3 key areas: fandom, soccer innovation and the city’s grassroots scene.

“I think it’s important that we celebrate the city,” Groundbreakers Art Director Pete Hoppins said. “We don’t do that enough.”

Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a street player or just love Portland, Groundbreakers is where soccer meets soul.

“The city,” Alexander said, “really shows up for soccer.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Hundreds Rally in Tampa for ‘No Kings’ Protest Movement

Across the United States, including in the Tampa Bay area, ‘No Kings’…

Vols’ Struggle Continues: Alabama Secures 11th Consecutive Victory in Tuscaloosa

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Tennessee Volunteers’ aspirations for the College Football Playoff…

Experience the Vibrancy of Downtown: Annual Main Street Days Returns to Johnson City

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — This weekend, the bustling streets of downtown…

Israel Confirms Identity of Hostage’s Body Amid Ongoing Gaza Crossing Closure

TEL AVIV – In a somber development, Israeli authorities confirmed on Sunday…

French IV Leads Georgia Southern to Commanding 41-24 Win Against Georgia State

In a thrilling encounter at Statesboro, Georgia Southern mounted an impressive comeback…

How the Trump Administration Aims to Slash Your Grocery Bills: Key Strategies Unveiled

President Donald Trump has revealed that his team is strategizing to make…

Prosecutors Reveal Man’s Attempt to Dodge Charges by Seeking Deportation

A man from Mexico who turned himself over to federal authorities in…

Israel Launches Strikes on Gaza Following Alleged Hamas Assault on Troops, Testing Ceasefire’s Durability

In a significant test to the recent U.S.-brokered ceasefire intended to end…

Man Allegedly Poses as Lawyer to Infiltrate Oklahoma Jail, Sparks Security Concerns

In a curious twist of events in Oklahoma City, a man has…

Shocking Case: Georgia Parents Face Murder Charges Over Infant Found in Trash Bag – Bail Denied

JONESBORO, Ga. (AP) — In a distressing turn of events in suburban…

Meet the Six Finalists Heading to the Miss Tennessee Competition After the Johnson City and Jonesborough Pageant

JONESBOROUGH, TN. (WJHL) — The spotlight shone on six new titleholders at…

Weekend Weather Alert: Late Sunday Rain Front Set to Impact Regions

The remainder of your Saturday promises to be pleasant, with mostly clear…