Dave Knows Portland

Match Day (21-May-2011): Portland Timbers vs. Columbus Crew

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Portland TimbersAfter last weekend’s inspired performance and resulting draw up north the Portland Timbers (4-3-2) return home tonight to host the Columbus Crew (3-2-4).

The Timbers’ record at Jeld-Wen in league play is a perfect 4-0-0 while the Crew’s record on the road is a paltry 0-2-2. The Crew, however, don’t necessarily suck. Currently tied for 3rd in the Eastern Conference, they have a stingy defense and have finished top or near top of their conference table the past three seasons.

This is exactly the kind of game a team might not be mentally prepared for, especially after the no doubt emotionally exhausting experience that was last weekend. Let’s hope Spencer and the Timbers don’t let up.

Kickoff is at 8pm. The first 5000 fans through the turnstiles at Jeld-Wen receive a free Timbers reusable grocery bag! If you can’t make it to the match, watch on FOX 12 or estrellaTV 8.3 or listen on 95.5 The Game or La Pantera 940 AM.

Match previews and intrigue

May 14, 2011: First Portland-Seattle “Derby” of the MLS Era

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Portland TimbersThe Portland Timbers travel north today, May 14, 2011, to face the Seattle Sounders for the first time in regular season Major League Soccer play.

The rivalry dates to 1975, when the Portland Timbers joined the NASL. The teams have faced each other upwards of 60 times since then (by some counts this is the 75th matchup), in various leagues and competitions. The game today has no doubt received more media coverage than any previous match.

Previews and intrigue:

May 7, 1934: Mail Tribune First Oregon Newspaper to Receive Pulitzer Prize

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The Medford, Oregon based Mail Tribune was the first Oregon newspaper to receive a Pulitzer Prize, on May 7, 1934.

The following gracious words about the award appeared in the Morning Oregonian, a putative rival, the next day:

The Medford Mail-Tribune has brought honor to the state of Oregon as well as to itself by its winning of the Pulitzer medal for “the most disinterested and meritorious public service rendered by an American newspaper during 1933.” The Mail-Tribune and its editor, Robert W. Ruhl, deserve the accolade.

The course pursued by the Mail-Tribune in the period of strife in its district centering about the agitations of L.A. Banks and their tragic consequences, called for editorial courage and judgment of a high order. It is noteworthy that in judging the newspaper’s service the committee emphasizes its counsels to moderation and to sane thinking and acting in the time of crisis.

Match Day (6-May-2011): Portland Timbers vs. Philadelphia Union

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Portland TimbersThe Portland Timbers (3-3-1) aim to respond positively to Tuesday’s first home loss when they defend home field tonight against the Philadelphia Union (4-1-1).

The Timbers, currently sixth in the West standings, are still undefeated at home in league play, and in fact have not given up a single point at Jeld-Wen Field. Their most impressive win came last Saturday against Real Salt Lake, one of the top teams in the league. The Union, though only a year removed from a typically rocky expansion debut, have come out of the gate strong in 2011, currently enjoying second place in the East standings. This despite scoring the fewest goals, 5, of any team this year so far. The Union’s defense has given up only 2 goals in 6 games. Portland has scored, and given up, buckets of goals at home, but most recently demonstrated in their 1-0 win against Real Salt Lake that they are capable of extended stretches of good defense.

Kickoff at Jeld-Wen Field is at 7:30pm (gates open at 6pm). The game will be featured on FOX Soccer’s inaugural Soccer Night in America, and is also viewable free online on MLS MatchDay. Listen to the match on 95.5 The Game or La Pantera 940 (ESP).

Match previews and intrigue

Expect more previews at Timbers at The Offside, Dropping Timber, and Stumptown Footy later today!

May 4, 1923: Benson High School Launches Portland’s First Public Radio Station

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KBPSBenson Polytechnic High School radio station KFIF was licensed by the federal government in March 1923 to operate with 200 watts at 834 kilocycles. On May 4, 1923 broadcasting began. The station was Portland’s first public radio station, and only the second radio station run by an educational institution in the country. KBPS is also likely the oldest continuously broadcasting high school radio station in the country.

Renamed KBPS in 1930, the station broadcasts at 1450 AM and is the second oldest radio station still broadcasting in Portland.