Portland Timbers Roundup (04/16/2010)

The Timbers open the 2010 season this Saturday at PGE Park. The Rochester Rhinos make their only visit to Portland season. Kickoff is 7pm.

So it is time for the season previews:

Someone has to say it by Bob Kellett at The Woodwork

I’d love to share an old story or two about the good old days when we used to play Rochester, but the fact is that for many years Rochester was able to control the league scheduling so that they never had to travel west of the Mississippi. Hence a dearth of good tales. But looking at their Rhino mascot, I can’t help but notice that it has a striking resemblance with Preston Burpo. [more]

Hoop Dreams by Dave Hoyt at The Woodwork

There is a palpable sense of excitement going into this season which is unlike any from seasons past. Players, management and fans all have butterflies in their stomachs, waiting to draw that last deep breath, before the final season of this iteration of the Timbers begins on Saturday. [more]

We’re Going To Win The Something, Something, Something by Lucas Grzybowski at The Woodwork

The cherry blossoms are blossoming, the Blazers are limping bravely into the playoffs (injuries, schminjuries!), the weather changes every five minutes from rain to sun to rain again, and sidewalk seating is starting to appear at bars and cafes around town. Do you know what that means? Spring is springing in the Rose City. And do you know what THAT means?

Timbers season is upon us! [more]

Portland Timbers: The past and the future provide motivation for 2010 team by Geoffrey C. Arnold at The Oregonian

The Portland Timbers begin their final season as a minor league franchise with an eye on the past and the future.

The Timbers, playing in the USSF Division 2 Pro League this season, would very much like to win a championship before the franchise joins Major League Soccer in 2011. Winning a title would not only erase the memory of coming up short last season, but also add to the team’s momentum going into next year. [more]

Fans gear up for MLS by Rick Curwen at OregonLive

Portland Timbers’ season opener against the Rochester Rhinos kicks off at 7 p.m. on Saturday and local soccer fans have much to look forward to, both off the pitch and on it. [more]

Timber 2010 season preview in four parts, by Kip Kesgard at OregonLive:

1. Schedule and Coaching
2. Friendlies, Opponents and Goalkeepers
3. Defenders
4. Midfielders

Portland Timbers 2010 USSF Season Preview by Kevin at Dropping Timber

Excitement is building. If you close your eyes you can feel it in the air, smell it. The Timbers are becoming harder to ignore. They’re on the sides of buses, on Max trains, and on billboards. You see them on fliers and posters, hear them talked about on the radio, or maybe even notice them pasted on the side of the Foosball table at your local bar. People in this city are starting to talk Timbers and for good reason. The Portland Timbers are about to show the world why this franchise and its amazing fan base have earned the moniker Soccer City USA. And that’s exciting. [more]

Timbers seek major exit by Paul Danzer at The Columbian

PORTLAND — Major League Soccer doesn’t arrive in Portland for another year. But the Portland Timbers aren’t waiting for 2011 to think big.

The team is planning international exhibitions against top-flight competition. It is hoping to make it’s mark in the U.S. Open Cup tournament. And, most of all, it wants to give its fans the franchise’s first championship. [more]

With 2011 fast approaching, we’re beginning to see interesting content at PortlandMLS2011.com, the official organ of the MLS Timbers.

Mayhem in the Rose City after 1975 playoff win over Sounders at PortlandMLS2011.com

Multiple videos posted from the 1975 playoff match between the North American Soccer League Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers. The Timbers started off slowly that season at the gate, drawing just over 8,000 for their first home match. However, by the end of the year the stadium was packed. Meanwhile, Sounders FC were up north selling out every home match at expanded 18,000-seat Memorial Stadium. [more]

Wilkinson visits England on first MLS trip at PortlandMLS2011.com

PORTLAND, Ore. – As technical director of the Timbers Major League Soccer franchise, Gavin Wilkinson begins a week-long trip in England on Wednesday, where he will meet with multiple Premier League clubs and formally start scouting talent abroad. [more]

Wilkinson blogs from England at PortlandMLS2011.com

Today, I spent the day at the Chelsea’s training center (Cobham St.) and met with several people at Stamford Bridge.

It was incredible to say the least. They had the first team training on one part of the facility and a U-13 boy’s tournament on the other with teams from Arsenal, Charleton Athletic, Watford, etc. [more]

Meanwhile the official organ of the USL Timbers continues to keep us informed about the here and now:

Timbers name Adam Smith as club’s goalkeeper coach at PortlandTimbers.com

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today named Adam Smith as the club’s goalkeeper coach for the 2010 season. Timbers head coach and general manager Gavin Wilkinson made the announcement. [more]

Marcelin recalled for Haiti National Team duty at PortlandTimbers.com

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that midfielder James Marcelin was recently named to the Haitian National Team’s 18-man roster for a friendly against Argentina on May 5 in Argentina. [more]

See you at the match!