Sarama, Fire Move on From First Preseason Game
This piece highlights quotes from several Portland Fire players and coaches following their most recent practice.
Yesterday, Portland head coach Alex Sarama, expansion draft first overall pick Bridget Carleton, second round 2026 WNBA Draft pick & developmental player Frieda Bühner, and expansion draft pick/stretch four Chloe Bibby all spoke with local media.
This piece highlights several quotes from those conversations.
Alex Sarama on Bridget Carleton’s leadership and role in Portland
“Firstly, I don’t want to put a tag on her in terms of what needs to get to this year. I believe it’s just going to happen organically, and that’s really important. I think the situations I’m going to put her in as a coach, I think we’re just going to let that emerge naturally. I don’t want her to have the pressure that comes from me saying ‘Oh, I want to get you to here’, and I think that’s one of the reasons we were so high on getting Bridget here, is part of what she brings. I think she can fit into any team and make a team better. I think even more so - our principles of play, being so team focused - I think she’s going to fit in so well to the offense, and naturally her usage is going to increase but just naturally as opposed to being like ‘Alright, we’re going to run plays for Bridget’.”
Bridget Carleton on arriving in Portland
“It’s exciting to finally be here. It was hard, you know, being late; I’ve never been late to a training camp, so it was strange being late to a new team, and then a new team altogether. I’m just really excited and thankful to be here, and the energy today was amazing.”
Bridget Carleton on becoming the face of an expansion franchise
“I’m excited. I’m ready for it. I think I was ready in this free agency to take the next step in my career. I’m going to be 29 soon, and I’m excited to have a different role in the WNBA and show a little bit more of what I can do. I think Alex [Sarama] and the staff here, they believe in me and they know what I can do. They’ve watched me play in all the roles I’ve kind of been in - internationally and in the WNBA - so they see that in me, and so I’m really excited to play for him.”
Frieda Bühner on playing in the WNBA
“It’s always been a dream of mine to be in the W, and now to get this chance is just amazing. Then with an expansion team - I think it’s such a nice chance that I have - and yeah, I’m just super excited. The practice today was great. It was so much fun. Not like something I’m used to, but honestly, [it was] so much positive energy. I think it’s a lot for me still, right now, but [I’m] just trying to take it step by step and [I’m] just taking everything with me that I can, and trying to learn, and get better everyday.”
Chloe Bibby on playing in Alex Sarama’s system
“Yeah, no, it definitely is [different], but I think that’s what makes it exciting too. It’s different, and he’s passionate about it, and you can see everyone’s on board. I think that’s what builds great teams: when everyone’s bought into the concepts and what we’re trying to do in it, that cohesiveness just makes it fun to play with, and I think it’s going to be fun to watch. So yeah, it’s good.”
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Matt Bagley is a professional sportswriter and broadcaster with a passion for women’s sports. Outside of work, he cherishes quality time with his birth family, his chosen family, and one very pesky house panther.
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