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Portland Timbers

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For other uses, see Portland Timbers (disambiguation).
"Timbers" redirects here. For other uses, see Timber (disambiguation).

Portland Timbers
Logo
Nickname(s)The Timbers
Founded2009[A]
GroundJeld-Wen Field
Portland, Oregon
Capacity20,438
OwnerPeregrine Sports
PresidentMerritt Paulson
Head CoachCaleb Porter
LeagueMajor League Soccer
2012Western Conference: 8th
Overall: 17th
Playoffs: DNQ
Websitehttp://www.portlandtimbers.com/
Primary colors
Secondary colors
Current season

The Portland Timbers are an American professional soccer club based in Portland, Oregon that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). The Timbers are the 18th club of Major League Soccer, and replace the USL First Division's team of the same name, while retaining the same ownership. The MLS club is the fourth Portland team to share the legacy of the Timbers name, which first originated in the old North American Soccer League in 1975.

History

Main article: History of Portland Timbers

The announcement of the Timbers' entry into MLS was the culmination of a nearly two-year-long process for Merritt Paulson, dating back at least to May 2007, when Paulson led a group that bought the Portland Beavers and the USL Timbers. The group included former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson (Meritt Paulson's father) who holds a 20% stake.[1] The biggest issue for the city of Portland was that due to league concerns about seating configuration, field surface, and scheduling, obtaining an MLS club would require a new stadium.[2]

In October 2007, Paulson was told PGE Park could be upgraded for about $20 million, and a new baseball stadium (with 8,000 to 9,000 seats) would cost about $30 million.[3] By November 2008, Paulson told The New York Times he expected Portland taxpayers would spend $85 million to "build a new baseball stadium for his Beavers and renovate PGE Park—just remodeled in 2001 at a cost to taxpayers of $38.5 million—for soccer", and that in exchange, he would spend $40 million for the franchise fee to bring a new Major League Soccer team to Portland.[1] MLS was in support of the proposal, wanting to continue to expand the number of owners in the league (for a while, all of its teams were owned by three men: Phil Anschutz, Lamar Hunt, and Robert Kraft).[1]

Timbers thank their fans after a home victory

Though supporting the acquisition of an MLS franchise raised numerous issues for Mayor Sam Adams and the Portland City Council,[4] the Timbers were announced as Major League Soccer's eighteenth team on March 20, 2009 by Commissioner Don Garber.[5] The announcement occurred in the middle of the first and second round games of the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament being held in Portland the same week.[6] The announcement noted that the team would retain the Portland Timbers name.[7]

The team owner is Peregrine Sports, LLC, a group led by Merritt Paulson. Paulson was also the head of Shortstop, LLC which owned the USL-1 Timbers as well as the Pacific Coast League's Portland Beavers.

Former MLS forward and assistant coach John Spencer was named the first head coach of the MLS-era Timbers on August 10, 2010. It was also announced that Gavin Wilkinson, head coach of the USL-1/USSF D-2 Timbers, would stay on as the general manager/technical director of the MLS side.[8]

The Timbers signed five players before the MLS Expansion Draft on November 24, 2010. Three were part of the Timbers D-2 Pro League squad in 2010 (Steve Cronin, Bright Dike, and Ryan Pore), one was signed from D-2 Pro League team Austin Aztex (forward Eddie Johnson) and one was acquired via trade with New York Red Bulls (midfielder Jeremy Hall). On November 24, 2010, the Timbers, along with the other 2011 expansion team, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, participated in an MLS Expansion Draft, each selecting 10 players from existing teams.[9] Immediately after the Expansion Draft, the Timbers announced the trade of their first pick (midfielder Dax McCarty, from FC Dallas to DC United for defender Rodney Wallace.[10] The Timbers and Whitecaps also participated in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft on January 13, 2011 with the Whitecaps having the first pick, and the Timbers having the second pick. Vancouver surprised some by selecting youngster Omar Salgado and Portland swiftly selected Akron midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe.[11]

The Timbers played their first MLS game on March 19, 2011, against reigning MLS champions Colorado Rapids, but lost 3–1. The first goal in the Timbers' MLS era was scored by Kenny Cooper.[12]

On July 9, 2012, John Spencer was fired after a 0-3 loss to Real Salt Lake.[13][14]

Colors and badge

Portland Timbers' MLS logo incorporates elements of the former USL design. The primary reference to the original crest is the circular shape that represents unity, wholeness, and the pursuit of perfection. The axe alludes to the Pacific Northwest's logging industry since loggers traditionally used axes to cut down trees. There are three chevrons organized to resemble a pine tree that refer to the Timbers' membership in three separate leagues: the original North American Soccer League, the United Soccer Leagues, and Major League Soccer. The team's colors, ponderosa green and moss green, represent the state of Oregon's forests.[15]

It was announced in September 2010 that the Portland Timbers' jerseys would be sponsored by Alaska Airlines.[16] On Thursday December 9 the jersey was revealed at a runway show at Portland International Airport. The home jersey is a two-tone halved green shirt [17] while the alternate jersey is red, in honor of Portland being known as the Rose City.[18]

Stadium

Jeld-Wen Field

Portland plays at Jeld-Wen Field, which they share with the Portland State Vikings football team. The stadium's renovation in 2010–2011 made it unsuitable for baseball, and former tenant the Portland Beavers moved to Tucson, Arizona after failing to find a new venue.[19]

Initially, city funding for renovation of the stadium (then known as PGE Park) was tied to simultaneous construction of a new baseball ballpark; Timbers owner Merritt Paulson was the owner of the Beavers at the time. Due to delays caused by public criticism of potential ballpark sites and an impending deadline to begin stadium renovation, the funding for the two projects was separated.[20] The capacity of the renovated Jeld-Wen Field was expected to be between 22,000 and 23,000.[21] Operational capacity was limited to 18,627 for the 2011 MLS season and expanded to 20,323 for the 2012 season.

Club culture

Portland Timbers fans

Supporters

Main article: Timbers Army

The main supporters group of the Portland Timbers is the Timbers Army. Its members are known for their loud, enthusiastic support and the raucous atmosphere they create at Timbers games.[22][23] The Timbers Army was founded in 2001 as the Cascade Rangers,[24] a reference to the Cascade Range of mountains in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The group began congregating in section 107 ("The Woodshed") of PGE Park ("The Piggy") to create a European-style rooting section for the club, complete with drumming, flags, scarves, smoke bombs and constant chanting and cheering. By 2002, the group had changed its name to the Timbers Army in order to lose any perception of partiality toward Scottish football club Rangers and because the Timbers uniforms at the time resembled those of Rangers rival Celtic.[25] By 2012, the Timbers Army numbers more than 4,000 people in the north-end on game day.[citation needed]

Rivalries

The Timbers Army celebrates with smoke bombs after a Portland goal

Mascot

During the NASL and USL years the team's mascot was a grizzled lumberjack named Timber Jim.[27] On January 24, 2008, Jim announced his retirement. His final farewell was a game played against Puerto Rico Islanders on April 17, 2008, which was won 1–0.[28]

Having served as the unofficial mascot from then on, Timber Joey was inaugurated as the new official mascot at an exhibition game vs Juventus Primavera on June 14, 2008,[29] a game the Timbers won 1–0,[30] and has served in that capacity ever since. Joey's trademark is cutting a round from a large log with one of his chainsaws every time the Timbers score a goal. This round is presented to the goal-scoring player after the game. If the team achieves a shutout ("clean sheet"), the goalkeeper also receives a round. Timber Joey has his own custom jersey with Portland-based outdoor tool manufacturer Leatherman as the shirt sponsor.

Broadcasting

Several Portland Timbers games are televised nationally in English by NBC, NBC Sports Network, ESPN or ESPN2 and nationally in Spanish by Galavisión. The rest of the games are televised regionally in English by Root Sports Northwest (formerly FSN Northwest), locally in English by FOX 12 Oregon or PDX TV and locally in Spanish by Estrella TV. Beginining in 2012 the Portland Timbers Broadcast Network was launched and provides coverage of over the air games to additional markets. Partners of the network include NTVZ/KTVZ 21.2 in Bend, OR, KEVU 23 in Eugene, OR, and KFBI 48.1 in Medford, OR.[31] FOX 12 Oregon also airs a weekly highlight show called Timbers in 30 on Sunday evenings.[32]

John Strong – a USL Timbers radio play-by-play announcer – calls the games for the local and regional broadcasts and is joined by former Premier League and Jamaica midfielder Robbie Earle on color commentary.[33]

On the radio, all Timbers games are broadcast in English on 750 AM "The Game" and are simulcast in Spanish on both La Pantera 940 AM and Recuerdo 95.1 FM. 750 AM also features Talk Timbers, a weekly radio show dedicated to the team and soccer, hosted by John Strong.[32]

Long-time Portland Timbers broadcaster Andy McNamara handles play-by-play duties for the majority of the English-language radio broadcasts – with former NASL Timbers broadcaster Greg Flakus filling in when McNamara is not available – and is joined by former USL Timbers player Ross Smith as an analyst during home matches. Spanish-language radio broadcasts are called by Fernando Sobrevilla.[33]

Players and staff

Current roster

See also: All-time Portland Timbers (MLS) roster

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Squad correct as of August 7, 2012.[34]

No. Pos. Player Nation
1 GK Donovan Ricketts  Jamaica
2 FW Mike Fucito  United States
6 MF Darlington Nagbe (GA)  Liberia
7 MF Sal Zizzo  United States
8 MF Franck Songo'o  Cameroon
9 FW Kris Boyd (DP)  Scotland
10 FW Danny Mwanga  DR Congo
11 MF Kalif Alhassan  Ghana
12 DF David Horst  United States
13 MF Jack Jewsbury (captain)  United States
16 FW Brent Richards (HGP)  United States
17 MF Eric Alexander  United States
18 DF Ryan Kawulok  United States
19 FW Bright Dike  Nigeria
20 FW José Adolfo Valencia  Colombia
21 MF Diego Chará (DP)  Colombia
22 DF Rodney Wallace  Costa Rica
24 FW Sebastián Rincón (on loan from CA Atenas)  Colombia
27 DF Chris Taylor  United States
33 DF Hanyer Mosquera  Colombia
35 DF Andrew Jean-Baptiste (GA)  United States
90 GK Jake Gleeson  New Zealand
98 DF Mamadou Danso  Gambia
— GK Miloš Kocić  Serbia
— DF Mobi Fehr  United States
— DF Michael Harrington  United States
— MF Will Johnson  Canada
— FW Ryan Johnson  Jamaica

Staff

Executive staff
Position Staff
Majority Owner & President Merritt Paulson
Chief Operating Officer Mike Golub
General Manager / Technical Director Gavin Wilkinson

Last updated: January 23, 2012
Source: Portland Timbers

Coaching staff
Position Staff
Head Coach Caleb Porter
Interim Head Coach Gavin Wilkinson
Assistant Coach Sean McAuley
Assistant Coach Amos Magee
Assistant Coach Cameron Knowles
Goalkeeping Coach Mike Toshack
Head Athletic Trainer Nik Wald
Assistant Athletic Trainer Jun Morishita
Fitness Coach John Ireland

Last updated: January 26, 2012
Source: Portland Timbers

Former managers

Honors

The Portland Timbers won the 2012 Cascadia Cup after struggling for most of the season. The Timbers defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC in BC Place on October 21, 2012 in the final Cascadia match of the season to secure the cup. The win also granted the Portland Timbers their first and only road win of the 2012 season.[35]

Records

Year-by-year

Main article: List of Portland Timbers seasons
Season League record Playoffs Additional
Honors 		U.S.
Open Cup 		Top scorer(s)
League Pld W L T GF GA Pts Position Name(s) Goals
2011 MLS 34 11 14 9 40 48 42 Western Conference
6th place 		Q Kenny Cooper 8
2012 MLS 34 8 16 10 34 56 34 Western Conference
8th place 		Cascadia Cup
Winners 		R3 Kris Boyd 7

Footnotes

  1. ^ Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise formed in 2009 but did not begin MLS play until 2011. Three previous incarnations of the club competed in the North American Soccer League (1975–1982), the Western Soccer League (1985–1990) and the USL First Division (2001–2010).

References

  1. ^ a b c Jaquiss, Nigel (November 26, 2008). "Paulson's Pitch". Willamette Week. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
  2. ^ Larabee, Mark (May 29, 2009). "Beavers must move out of PGE Park, league says". The Oregonian. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  3. ^ Gerald, Paul (October 31, 2007). "PDX's Ball Bearings". Willamette Week. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
  4. ^ Jaquiss, Nigel (March 11, 2009). "Soccertown Or Suckertown". Willamette Week. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
  5. ^ "MLS awards 18th franchise to Portland". mlssoccer.com. March 20, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  6. ^ Paulson, MLS Seeking National Ink With Friday Announcement, a March 18, 2009 article in Willamette Week
  7. ^ "MLS awards team to Portland for 2011". Portland Timbers. March 20, 2009. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
  8. ^ Houston Dynamo. "Timbers select John Spencer to coach MLS team in 2011". OregonLive.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  9. ^ "Timbers Select 10 Players in 2010 Expansion Draft". Portland Timbers. November 24, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  10. ^ "Timbers Acquire DC United's Rodney Wallace for Dax McCarty". Portland Timbers. November 24, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  11. ^ Carlisle, Jeff (January 13, 2011). "2011 MLS SuperDraft winners, losers". ESPN. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  12. ^ Rapids too strong, spoil expansion debut for Timbers[dead link‍]
  13. ^ The Associated Press (July 9, 2012). "MLS Timbers fire coach John Spencer". Cbc.ca. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  14. ^ "AP source: Timbers fire coach John Spencer - - SI.com". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. July 9, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  15. ^ "New Crest Story". Portland Timbers. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  16. ^ "Timbers gain sponsor for jerseys". ESPN Soccernet. September 2, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
  17. ^ "2011 Portland Timbers Jersey". Football Shirts News. December 9, 2010.
  18. ^ "2011 Portland Timbers Jersey". December 9, 2010. {{cite news}}: Text "Timbers Unveil 2011 Jerseys" ignored (help)
  19. ^ Leventhal, Josh (October 14, 2010). "Portland Beavers Plan Move To Tucson". Baseball America. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  20. ^ Larabee, Mark (June 24, 2009). "Major League Soccer plan still alive as Portland council endorses latest plan". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
  21. ^ Haberman, Margaret. "Vision for PGE Park: A place that says 'soccer'". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  22. ^ Conover, Dan (July 18, 2008). "The Fun Five: Things to do and where to do them". The Post and Courier. Charleston, SC. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  23. ^ Dure, Beau (August 25, 2009). "Portland Timbers show bark, bite as they prepare to join MLS". USA Today. McLean, VA. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  24. ^ "Community Connection: Cascade Rangers". OregonLive.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2001. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  25. ^ "History". Timbers Army. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  26. ^ a b Wahl, Grant (May 23, 2011). "A Pacific Passion Play: Big-time clubs left Portland, Seattle and Vancouver 30 years ago, but their fans never did. Now the teams are back in MLS, and their reborn rivalries are turning the region into a hotbed of the sport". SI.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  27. ^ Andrews, Allison. "Who is Timber Jim?". SoccerCityUSA. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  28. ^ "Timbers long-time icon, 'Timber Jim,' retires". Portlandtimbers.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  29. ^ "Timbers introduce Joe Webber as new mascot". Portlandtimbers.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  30. ^ "Latest News". Portland Timbers. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  31. ^ "Broadcast Partners". Portland Timbers. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  32. ^ a b "Timbers announce 2012 MLS schedule". Portland Timbers. January 5, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  33. ^ a b "Timbers Announce Broadcast Talent for 2011" (Press release). Portland Timbers. March 10, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  34. ^ "Players (active)". Portland Timbers. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  35. ^ Portland Timbers. "RECAP: Jewsbury, Timbers Stun Whitecaps to Take Cascadia Cup". portlandtimbers.com. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
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