While the roar of the crowd has thundered in Providence Park for years playing witness to numerous events, soccer, baseball, football, concerts and more, few know that not too far under the surface, a piece of Portland history literally runs underneath: Tanner Creek.
Nick Firchau, Senior Editor at MLSsoccer.com, dives deep into the creek--history that is--to explore how it has evolved over time and the secret world that few know about it:
Only a limited number of people actually know for sure what Tanner Creek is anymore. Some say they can hear it rush freely under a manhole near the Providence Park light rail station, others think it’s a sewer. Some say the water is only deep enough to cover your bootlaces, but others still walk around Portland today with t-shirts telling the world they kayak’d Tanner Creek, remnants from a DIY approach to cheap thrills in the 1970’s.
“It looks a like something you’d see out of old London down there,” says Timbers executive Ken Puckett, the man in charge of Portland’s stadium since 2000. “It’s Jack the Ripper kind of stuff.”
It's a fantastic read about the long history of Providence Park ahead of Wednesday's AT&T MLS All-Star Game (6:30pm PT, ESPN2).
Club
All-Star: MLSsoccer.com's Nick Firchau takes a look at unique history of Tanner Creek underneath Providence Park


Inspired by the past, made for today
A capsule collection made to keep the spirit of Soccer City USA Alive. Available for a limited time online and in-stadium.
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3:51
"I think it was a game we're going to have to learn from" | Felipe Mora discusses loss to Earthquakes
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3:45
"We lost the game in the first 20 minutes" | Phil Neville shares his thoughts on loss to SJ
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4:59
HIGHLIGHTS | San Jose Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers | May 3, 2025
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AAPI Scarf | See images of the 2025 edition designed by local artist Ricky Gaspar
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RECAP | PortlandTimbers end unbeaten streak with 4-1 loss to San Jose Earthquakes
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0:46
GOAL | Felipe Mora scores a goal just before half against San Jose
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TRAINING | Timbers in good spirits as they prepare for San Jose away