Archives for October 2007

Update: Erika at Kick it PDX has a good recap of the evening here. My friends and I were seated right behind Erika at the match, so I think it was me she quotes saying “Man, she’s fast” in reference to Natasha Kai.

Last night the US women beat a tenacious, though out matched, Mexican team at PGE Park 4-0 in front of slightly more than 10000 fans. The crowd was sedate, compared to a Timbers match, but no less entertained, and though the evening was crisp, not a drop of rain dampened the proceedings.

Vancouver, Washington’s Tina Ellertson played impressive defense for most of the first half, until going down with a groin pull. She was the star of the match until then. She used her size and speed and contortion ability (I don’t know what else to call it) to repeatedly stave off Mexico’s otherwise skilled and fast left wingers.

It took the players on both teams most of the match to come to terms with PGE Park’s ridiculous surface, but once they did the passing improved and the goals flooded in. The first goal was the result of a first half stoppage time set play, but the last three came in the final 15 minutes of the match.

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber was impressed too, with Portland’s passion for soccer. Perhaps after a few more years of footsie Portland will have an MLS team of its own.

In The Oregonian today: MLS sets second expansion-study Portland visit

According to the article, Don Garber, the MLS commissioner, is visiting Portland today. He is here to negotiate with Merritt, see PGE Park, and catch the U.S. and Mexican women’s soccer match tonight.

As I see it, Merritt Paulson was so impressed by the Portland Timbers fan support this year that it inspired him to bring “the highest level of U.S. soccer” to Portland. Whether that’s a good thing or not is debatable.