{"numbering":"asc","slides":[{"index":1,"title":"","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/northwest/2020/05/30/ewseattleportland.jpg","caption":"

There’s just something different about when Portland and Seattle play against one another.

The fans cheer a little bit louder, a little bit more vulgar and the 174.2 miles of I-5 freeway don’t seem to matter when it comes to supporting their local team.

They are the two cities that dominate professional sports in the upper left corner of the United States.

Swipe through to take a look at the professional sports history between the two Pacific Northwest cities of Portland and Seattle.

"},{"index":3,"title":"Portland Trail Blazers vs. Seattle SuperSonics","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/northwest/2020/05/30/sonicsblazers.png","caption":"

What we would give to see Gary ‘The Glove’ Payton and Shawn Kemp’s Seattle Sonics vs. Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter’s Portland Trail Blazers battling it out on the court again…

Portland held a 94-98 record against Seattle before the SuperSonics relocated to OKC in 2008. The Blazers and Sonics were even at 2-2 in playoff series.

1991 West First Round Series – Trail Blazers win series, 3-2
1983 West First Round Series – Trail Blazers win series, 2-0
1980 West First Round Series – Sonics win series, 2-1
1978 West Semifinals – Sonics win series, 2-4

"},{"index":5,"title":"Portland Thorns vs. OL Reign","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/northwest/2020/05/30/screen_shot_2020-05-30_at_11.04.04_am.png","caption":"

The NWSL has seen exponential growth in viewership through the years and what draws a lot of eyes is one northwest rivalry in particular: Thorns vs. Reign.

“I love playing in Portland. I love it. I love how much they hate us. I love the absolute bull**** I got from the fans. I just was like, smiling, because for me, that is what football is.” - OL Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock.

The Thorns have won the league’s playoffs twice, and the Reign have yet to accomplish that, putting Portland in the drivers seat in that rivalry.

The Reign have recently been purchased and renamed to OL Reign but man are these matches still as heated as ever.

"},{"index":7,"title":"Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/northwest/2020/05/30/sounderstimbers.jpg","caption":"

Continuing the heated rivalry on the pitch is the MLS rivalry between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders, which dates back to 1975.

Famous matches include: “The Red Card Wedding”; the 2019 MLS playoffs; Roger Levesque’s “chopped down” celebration in 2009;

Just as intense is the battle of the fans: The Timbers Army vs. The Emerald City Supporters. There is no love for either team on every level.

“When you eliminate your rival in his house, it’s priceless.” - Sebastian Blanco, Timbers midfielder

Check out this video for more history, moments within this rivalry.

"},{"index":9,"title":"Portland Winterhawks vs. Seattle Thunderbirds","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/northwest/2020/05/30/hockey.png","caption":"

Sure, it may be the Western Hockey League hockey, but these two franchises follow into the Portland vs. Seattle rivalry tenfold. Especially on the ice where fighting is allowed and somewhat encouraged by the fans, these games can get really intense.

(Image by: Kendra Frankle)

"},{"index":11,"title":"More to come...","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/northwest/2020/05/30/baseball.jpg","caption":"

We are just waiting for the day that Seattle is home to an NBA team once again. The Sonics were sold to Oklahoma City in 2008 and it is an abomination that there hasn’t been an NBA team in the Emerald City since then.

With rumors and progress of Portland landing the next MLB franchise, we expect the games vs. the Seattle Mariners to be the next professional platform to step into this rivalry.

Check out the video on the left for more...

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Ever Wonder how the I-5 rivalry got to be so heated?