15,833 Timbers fans crammed into PGE Park Thursday night. Of course the North End was electric all night, and some of the fans on the west side of the stadium were actually standing during the match too! The crowd was the largest for the Timbers since they joined the USL in 2001, and brought the average attendance to 6,838 per game, an increase of 22.47% over last year (according to Allison’s calculations). The Timbers Army collectively pinched itself after the game and asked Did that really happen?
In the 79th minute defender Justin Thompson volleyed a beautiful and opportunistic shot into the back of the net for his first goal as a Timber, and Josh Wicks and the defense achieved their 12th shutout of the year.
Thursday night’s home win was the first since the July 17th 2-1 victory over Vancouver (not counting the Timbers’ 2-1 exhibition win against Preston North End July 28th).
The Timbers now go on the road for four matches to finish the regular season. When they return for the first playoff match the 18th Street Ladder Brigade will be back, and the Timbers will almost certainly see another record crowd.
Coverage:
- 15,833 see a historic win at PGE Park, 1-0 over the Battery – SoccerCityUSA.com
- Record crowd lifts Timbers in home finale – Oregonlive.com
And even more:
- 15,833! – a pretty move
- Portland Timbers’ Record Night: An Anthropological Study – Center Holds It
The 
PGE Park will be packed on October 17th, when the US Women take on Mexico in a post-World Cup friendly.