Archives for July 2010

First we’ll get the awful news out of the way . . .

Game 18: St. Louis 3 – Timbers 0 by mao at the Portland Timbers Blog at The Offside

Portland Timbers played their most pathetic match of the season, perhaps of all-time, in losing 3-0 AC St. Louis at Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park. Mike Ambersley, the Saint who stole points from the Timbers with an injury-time goal back in May, recorded the hat-trick with easy goals against an inept Portland defense. [more]

And for the masochists, a few more recaps:

• AC St. Louis Trounce the Timbers by paulsepp at Dropping Timber
• Ambersley hat trick leads AC St. Louis past Timbers at PortlandTimbers.com
• St. Louis 3, Portland 0: Timbers open trip with loss at OregonLive.com

A bit of MLS news:

Timbers Insider: Vancouver wins coin flip by Geoffrey C. Arnold at The Oregonian

HOUSTON — Vancouver won the coin flip.

The coin flip – which actually took place before the MLS All-Star game, but was broadcast on tape-delay at halftime of the game televised by ESPN2, was made to determine whether Portland or Vancouver would have first pick in the 2011 SuperDraft, expansion draft or other player acquisition opportunities. [more]

Portland Timbers: Round One of the MLS rivalry with Vancouver goes to Whitecaps by Geoffrey C. Arnold at The Oregonian

HOUSTON — The flip of a coin added more intensity to an already heated rivalry between the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Timbers lost the coin flip that determined whether Portland or Vancouver would pick first in Major League Soccer’s SuperDraft, expansion draft or the other player acquisition opportunities. [more]

On the John Spencer, er I mean future MLS coach decision . . .

Timbers Insider: Spencer to Portland worst kept secret? by Geoffrey C. Arnold at The Oregonian

HOUSTON – The rumor mill at the MLS All-Star game was spinning quickly about the Timbers and John Spencer.

A few well-placed people implied the Spencer to Portland move was a done deal. A couple talked in terms that Spencer had already been hired. [more]

And in supporter news:

Growing Recognition For American Supporters Groups by Tom Dunmore at Pitch Invasion

It wasn’t too long ago that MLS supporters’ groups who consistently numbered more than a hundred hardy souls per game could be counted on the fingers of one hand nationwide, and were about as popular as herpes with MLS front office folks.

Those times have changed as the groups have grown and the atmosphere and publicity they bring to MLS clubs that help them differentiate those teams in crowded sports marketplaces have been recognised by MLS headquarters and most owners. [more]

And an important date is coming up: Monday, August 2nd 2010 marks the open ordering date for 2011 Timbers season tickets. Anyone can reserve their season tickets on Monday. I recommend a Timbers Army season ticket:

Purchasing your Timbers Army Season Tickets, you do more than just reserve a place in the North End*: Ticket-buyers will receive discounts from game-day prices, invitations to special events, and commemorative merchandise marking the Rose City’s rise to this country’s top tier of professional soccer.

On top of that, part of your purchase will help fund the 107ist, the TA’s independent supporters trust, as it works to support soccer at all levels in and around Portland. [more]

And join the 107 Independent Supports’ Trust! Benefits include discounts, freebies, and special deals at Beulahland, Big-Ass Sandwiches, the Bitter End Pub, and a slew of other places around town. Join up and visit the 107ist Partners page for more information.