The new crest.

Honestly, I think the less said about this the better, but I'll let ya'll judge for yourself.

Planning...?

We riding to Directors Park?  Where we Meeting up beforehand?  Brunch?  Anyone?

Been Lax.

And for that I apologize.  We're riding Saturday morning, through the Rose Parade, down to Directors Park.  Want in?  You know you do...

I want to make out with whoever is responsible for these videos.  And then torture them for information.

The FO will release four videos hinting at the new Timbers' crest, and will release it officially at Directors Park on June 12th at a showing of the USA's first World Cup match.

Here's the first hint:



The second one:



More as they get released.

On-going discussion over at SCUSA.

We can beat Boca Jrs, but not Crystal Palace...

Exhibition match reports here:

PortlandTimbers.com
RowdiesPDX.org
DroppingTimber
TheOffside
OregonLive
SoccerCityUSA
PortlandMercury

Next game we have is against Carolina on June 6th.  You can bet'cher ass we're gonna ride!

The Ides of May; Impact at Timbers 5.22.10

Its been a rough stretch of games at home. After going 3-0-1 at the beginning of the season, the Timbers had almost two weeks off before their next game. They haven't come back from that vacation yet. Last night's game against Montreal was the last of three home games that haven't gone well for the Timbers.

Montreal is a tough team at home or on the road, and proved that by holding the Timbers to a 1-1 draw the first time these two teams met back in April. They came to PGE Park with the same intensity. Unfortunately, the Timbers did not. Decent play on the left side between Cameron, Pore, and Obatola could not make up for our deficiencies on the right side of the field. It is readily apparent that the team is missing the presence of Scot Thompson, last year's right back. Quavas Kirk, having taken Scot's place this year, has proved to be the weak link in the Timber's back line, and it seems that other teams have noted this and are taking advantage. In the 31', Montreal's Donatelli found himself with the ball at his feet and the goal wide open in front of him courtesy of his teammate Sebrango having outplayed the inexperienced Kirk, and in the process, pulled the equally inexperienced Purdy out of position to assist. The quick pass to Donatelli and subsequent goal were almost a foregone conclusion once the back line had been rearranged to the Impact's satisfaction.

Despite some creative substitutions at the half (were the boys playing a 2-3-1-4 for the last half an hour?) and some frenetic work on behalf of the roused squad (outshooting the Impact 17-4 during the game), the Timbers were unable to make up the one point deficit by full time. The refereeing was typically USL atrocious, the Mercury's new Timbers blogger, Brian Costello, putting it most succinctly:

“6,573 people witnessed a clear handball in the 68' that was somehow blindly ignored by the referee.”

But poor officiating is absolutely no excuse for what we've seen on the pitch the last three games, and despite the paragraphs above, this is not the fault of any one player.  I'd wager the lack of cohesion and anticipation we have seen on the pitch in the last week has also worried Gavin, currently off on a scouting trip in Ghana, and I do not envy the boys the inevitable tongue-lashing upon his return.

Despite this three game mid-May walk of shame, I have not yet given up hope. Its early in the season, the Timbers are playing with energy and heart (despite seeming to locate it after the half) and are putting up impressive shooting statistics. Some tweaking of the line-up and our schedule over the next few weeks should fall before us like a 2-beers-deep Sounders "fan". I continue to be impressed with Pore's play, we have some rising stars in Danso and Obatola, hopefully Ian Joy will be back on his feet soon, and I harbor dreams of seeing Cameron Knowles back out on the pitch at some point this season. *giggles like a schoolgirl*  Ahem.

The Brigade was impressive for a day with such inclement weather! Thanks to everyone who rode – it was great to see some new faces and to ride with some old veterans. My match is no longer complete if I don't hear Cowbell's lounge version of Portland Belongs to Me echoing off of downtown office buildings.  If I don't see you all at Beulah for our coming away matches, I'll see you at the next ride!

Better and more perceptive match reviews can be found at the following:

Portland Mercury Timbers Blog

Dropping Timber
The Offside: Timbers
SoccerCityUSA
The Oregonian
RowdiesPDX

OregonLive Blog

Match highlights and archive can be found over at portlandtimbers.com.

Timbers play the Impact; Skate Decks; Oral Surgery

After a devastating loss to Crystal Palace Baltimore on Thursday and squandering two points in a tie with AC St. Louis on Saturday, not all is well in Timbers-land.  Despite dramatically out-shooting both opponents (16-5 over Crystal Palace and 14-3 over AC St. Louis) the boys dropped 5 points to two of the lowest ranked teams in the league².  Sometimes the Timbers have an unfortunate tendency to play down to the level of their opponent, but Ryan Pore has seemingly lost the spark that he showed in the first four games of the season and players like Johan Claesson and Quavas Kirk simply phoned in lackluster performances.  The consensus amongst the Army seems to be that the best thing about Saturday was the promotional giveaway of skateboard decks.

This seeming malaise is worrisome coming into tomorrow's match against the unbeaten Montreal Impact (2-0-2).  In the third game of the season, the Impact held the Timbers to a 1-1 draw and, despite the added difficulty of playing at PGE Park, will be looking to add to their point total.  Given that Timbers have had difficulties in the past with bottom-of-the-table teams, I doubt that Montreal are expecting an easy time of it, but I fervently hope that the last two games have awakened the boys after two weeks off.  There's unfinished business between our two sides.

We'll be at the usual meetup at The Standard starting at about 4 pm.  Come join us (but don't forget your jacket)!

On another note, some disorganization and injuries (as mentioned in the post title) prevented my showing for Sunday Parkways, but it was good to hear that some people made it out to enjoy the glorious weather.  Some antibiotics, a little tooth removal, and I'll be right back out there riding with y'all!

Smarter and better match previews can be found at:
portlandtimbers.com
montrealimpact.com
daveknows:portland
Dropping Timber
The Offside
RowdiesPDX

Pre-match discussion is over on SCUSA.

True class (with spoilers).

Despite a brilliant ride on a gorgeous summer's day, the Army in full effect, and playing, literally, the worst team in the league, the Timbers lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace Baltimore tonight. Shortly after leaving the park, a few twitteratti'ed TA received the following from Ian Joy, the Timber's Captain:

That's what I call class. I feel so sorry for AC St. Louis on Saturday as I think the boys are going to be looking for a little payback. See ya'll at the Standard for the pre-funk with, hopefully, some Gartner's short ribs!

For some post-match notes, cruise on over to the Timber's website, and to check in on the TA's post match analysis head over yonder.

Might try my hand at a full on match report tomorrow. I'd definitely tune in for that!

Wool gathering on the news cycle...

Timbers released a new tv spot on Monday.  For your viewing pleasure!

Let's ride!

After an unbelieveably long break, we ride for the match against Crystal Palace Baltimore tomorrow at 5:30 (latest)!!!  Stop by the Standard after four for a brew and some company, and then join us for what promises to be a beautiful evening.