MLS Cup brings Portland’s Providence Park party to life like never before

PORTLAND, Ore. — On a rainy Thursday at Providence Park, the Portland Timbers’ home venue has all the trappings of base camp on Mount Everest. Shelters have been constructed. Sleeping bags and blankets are everywhere. Propane canisters and space heaters provide little additional warmth against the December chill. Adult beverages are expected to pick up the slack as the day — and night — goes on.

Some fans have been camped out since Monday, albeit in shifts. Why? To acquire one of 1,000 precious wristbands that will allow those with general admission tickets in the 3,600-seat north end to stake out their preferred vantage point for Saturday’s MLS Cup between the Timbers and New York City FC (3 p.m. ET, stream live on ABC).

Portland has long dubbed itself Soccer City, USA and based on the activity around the stadium two days before the game, it’s hard to argue.

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At 7 o’clock Friday morning the wristbands will be distributed, at which point their lucky recipients can go home for a shower and a hot meal; until then, fans are staking out their spot in line. At first glance, the line stretches all the way down the SW 18th Avenue side of the stadium. It’s there that I encounter Chris Bright, a local tech entrepreneur. I ask him if he’s the last in line, but his belly laugh reveals just how misinformed my assumption is.

“C’mon, let’s take a walk,” he said.

We turn the corner onto SW Salmon Street and I discover the line goes up about two-thirds of the block, past the Multnomah Athletic Club. “Tonight, lots of people will be showing up as placeholders,” said Bright. “This is line culture for the Portland Timbers. Tonight it will be a real party. You should come back.”

We reach the back of the line. Bright said anyone who shows up now is still in the “good range” to secure a…