PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - The FIFA World Cup takes place in the U.S. next year, but Portland is helping play a part in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
While the closest matches will be played in Seattle, one of the teams will use Portland as a base camp.
Japan’s Premiere Team, Urawa Red Diamonds, arrived at PDX on Thursday.
They will use the University of Portland as a base camp for practice and training as they prepare for group stage matches ahead of the international tournament.
“We like to show the Japanese style to the whole world. We also like to show our strong strengths points the performance, the good points of us,” said the team’s captain.
Oregon is one of 14 states across the U.S. to serve as a base camp site for the 32 best soccer teams in the world.
The first kick-off