I won’t rehash or dwell on the exciting, but ultimately disappointing, roller coaster ride that was Sunday afternoon – these folks do a much better job than I could:
This One Oozed The Fear From the Start – Zach Dundas at Portland Sportsman
I had a very bad feeling about the whole thing, even as I walked through the carnival atmosphere outside PGE Park. The Portland Timbers’ worst-to-first revival, which earned our beloved local football team the United Soccer Leagues’ Commissioners Cup and a bye to the First Division semifinals, was just too good.
I’m Not Much of a Sports Fan – Heather at Mile73.com
I didn’t sleep all that great the other night. I tossed and turned and I couldn’t shut off my brain. Want to know why? Because I was at the goddamned Timbers game the night before.
Well, you get the idea.
In happier Timbers news, forward Mandjou Keita was presented the 2009 Supporters Player of the Year award Sunday.
Monday Mamadou “Futty” Danso was named Community Player of the Year, and also serves as the subject of an excellent Andrew Guest feature on Pitch Invasion, The Timbers, The Gambia, and Futty Danso: Stories from Africa:
The reason Mamadou “Futty” Danso wore the rather odd number 98 for the Portland Timbers this year says a lot about globalization and soccer. The story starts in his native Gambia, where he grew up carefully watching African players who found success on the international scene.
And despite the way the Timbers ended the regular season and playoffs (i.e. not in top form), the team was awesome for most of the season, and promises to be strong in 2010.
Hats off to the 2009 Portland Timbers, who attracted record attendance, won the 2009 Cascadia Cup, now own the new American soccer unbeaten streak record, and claimed the 2009 Commissioners Cup! See you next year!
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