Was Alex Nimo‘s announcement to the world, via an interview with the Oregonian, that he would quit soccer before playing for a team other than Portland, cleverly connived, or was it as naive as it appears at first blush? Mao asks that question, and The Offside Rules thinks they know the answer already: Alex Nimo Has Just Given RSL License to Fleece Portland for His Services.

USL Portland Timbers legend Byron Alvarez may still have some goals left in him, at least that’s the hope of the Missouri Comets of the Major Indoor Soccer League, who just signed him for the 2010-2011 season.

Now that the first batch of signings is over, and the next batch of USL Timbers signings have been implied (i.e. Futty and Alhassan), Gavin Wilkinson and John Spencer turn their attention to the MLS Expansion Draft. On the day before Thanksgiving they will get to pick first in the 10 round draft, alternating with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Each MLS team can protect 11 players from the draft, and current Generation Adidas players (like Alex Nimo) and Home Grown players are also protected.

Wrapping up the 2010 USL Timbers season

2010 Season Recap – Looking back over the end of the USL Timbers by Kip Kesgard at OregonLive.com

2010 was a strange season for the Portland Timbers for obvious reasons. While the team had goals of securing a USSF Division 2 championship and success at the box office, the team was also laying the foundation of the MLS club that starts play in 2011. [more]

Looking forward to the 2011 MLS Timbers

Portland Soccer Roundup: Transition to MLS Begins by Rob Morse at Rose City Roots

As one era of Timbers soccer comes to an end, a new era of soccer in Portland is set to begin. This week’s links roundup looks at what the future of MLS in Portland might provide, and the new opportunities in store for the U.S. Men’s National Time. [more]

Timbers look toward 2011 and MLS by Geoffrey C. Arnold at The Oregonian

As The Portland Timbers played their way through the 2010 season, the season itself transformed into a near afterthought.

Yes, there were goals to score and games to win, but everyone had one eye on the 2010 season and another on 2011, when the Timbers join Major League Soccer. [more]

Timbers to Sign Current Players Before End of October by mao at the Portland Timbers USL Blog at The Offside

Before the end of October, Portland Timbers Football Club will announce which of its current players will be retained for the inaugural season in Major League Soccer. Though the club is allowed to carry as many as a dozen players upward, the more likely scenario is no more than a handful enjoying promotion. With the expansion draft coming in November and SuperDraft following in January, the Timbers will have ample opportunities to bring in new players with MLS experience and younger players with great promise. [more]

MLS expansion draft on the horizon for Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps by Steven Goff at Soccer Insider at The Washington Post

With the MLS regular season set to end next weekend, the eight clubs not competing in the playoffs will begin turning attention to the 2011 roster and the expansion draft, which will supply 10 players apiece to the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps. [more]

First MLS Timbers to be Announced Tuesday by Dan at Dropping Timber

Well, they didn’t make us wait too long. An email was sent to season ticket holders this evening, inviting them to the announcement of the first signings (note the plural) of the MLS Timbers. Since this announcement comes on the heels of a report that returning Timbers would be announced in October, we are expecting this means that it will be players returning from last season’s team. [more]

At Prost Amerika Soccer, a two part interview with Merritt Paulson:

Paulson: The fans of all three teams will be pleased – part 1

Paulson: This is more of a Yankees-Red Sox rivalry with Seattle – part 2

In 2010 player news

DT Awards – 2010 Portland Timbers by Dan at Dropping Timber

Welcome to the 2010 Dropping Timber Awards- The DT’s for short. The fan votes are in, the Dropping Timber team has voted, but don’t go scrolling down the page without reading about the format: The fans get one vote, and each member of the Dropping Timber team gets a vote. I get to break ties since I’m writing the post. If you have an issue with that you can create your own not-very-important web awards blog post. [more]

Oi, let’s get it out of the way first – wrap ups (or as I think of these ones, weep ups) of last night’s match:

Timbers embarrass themselves in loss to Vancouver by Geoffrey C. Arnold at The Oregonian

Well, that was ugly.

All the talk about being ready for the playoffs. The 10-game unbeaten streak. The solid defense. Breaking the hex in Vancouver.

Whatever. [more]

Caps’ shock-and-awe nets wild win by Bruce Constantineau at the Vancouver Sun

So much for a tight defensive battle.

The Vancouver Whitecaps grabbed an early advantage Thursday in their two-game, total-goal playoff series with the Portland Timbers with a 2-0 win at Swangard Stadium in front of 5,018 fans. [more]

Okay, enough self flagellation – fortunately we have other Timbers news . . . player news for example

At Dropping Timber, the last two installments of the Joy of Joy have been posted:

The Joy of Soccer: Part 3 of 4

Germany, Soccer, and Politics

Looking for work and with a lot of time on his hands, Ian needed a place to train and stay in shape. He called up a good friend, Joey Jones, who was now coaching at Wrexham FC back in the UK. A former Wales national team member, Jones was an all-time great as a player for Wrexham, scoring 19 goals in 376 appearances. [more]

The Joy of Soccer: Part 4 of 4

Stop To Smell The Roses

In some ways signing with the Timbers was a gamble, but it was a sacrifice Ian was prepared to make. The pay cut wasn’t a big deal, he knew money wasn’t what he played for. If he did well in Portland then it would likely lead to another chance in the MLS. The hardest part was being away from his daughter, but he talked to Madison every day on the phone and visited as often as he could, knowing that things wouldn’t be this way forever. [more]

Ross Smith Interview by Kelly McLain at Timbers Insider

Q: How was training today before you head back to Vancouver?

Smith: It was intense and it’s been that way all season. Everyone’s desperate to be in the eleven for this game–such a big game. Maybe a few shaky nerves and that, but then once those get cleaned out I think we’re hitting form and looking good. [more]

Q&A: DeMartin prepares for postseason with Timbers at PortlandTimbers.com

Finishing the regular-season among team leaders in assists, rookie forward Doug DeMartin has helped the Timbers on its current unbeaten run. He talks about experiencing the Northwest rivalry, his recent form and more in a postseason Q&A. [more]

MLS news and commentary

To the Mailbag with Kelly McLain at Timbers Insider

Which current players will make the MLS roster next season?
-Kevin and Timbers Lover

. . . I’m going to start with my Bold Prediction of the Day. Are you sitting down? OK, here goes: The Timbers current trio of goalkeepers (Steve Cronin, Adin Brown and Matt Pyzdrowski) will be the net-minders when the Timbers open their MLS season next spring.

Ya, I know. Just let that sink in for a moment. [more]

PGE Park Time Lapse (9/7/10-10/7/10) by TimbersFC at YouTube