Comments on: What the Portland Timbers Mean to the Credibility of MLS http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/what-the-portland-timbers-mean-to-the-credibility-of-mls/6575 Daily Analysis of Major League Soccer Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:26:49 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: NeoGeek http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/what-the-portland-timbers-mean-to-the-credibility-of-mls/6575#comment-37831 NeoGeek Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:53:41 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=6575#comment-37831 I can sum up this Timbers jerkfest in one word... Crap! Great. Right on! Timbers' attendance is the toast of the USL, but they will be the FCD of the MLS. I doubt they'll even sell out their 18k seat stadium next season. Face facts - fighting for their USOC lives against Seattle, they drew a record crowd of just over 16k peeps, on a Saturday, including a hell of a lot of Sounders fans. Flash forward to 2010, Seattle puts 18k+ peeps into Qwest, on a Thursday, for a meaningless charity/preseason friendly match, in the rain. Oh, and the ECS made the Timbers supporters look like a bunch of grandmas. For that matter, the Seattle fans that traveled to Portland for the USOC match did the same thing. I should know as I was there. Portland will always be Seattle's annoying little brother... a dorky loser that always wants to hang out with the cool kids. And btw, you're in the MLS because of us. I can sum up this Timbers jerkfest in one word… Crap!

Great. Right on! Timbers’ attendance is the toast of the USL, but they will be the FCD of the MLS. I doubt they’ll even sell out their 18k seat stadium next season.

Face facts – fighting for their USOC lives against Seattle, they drew a record crowd of just over 16k peeps, on a Saturday, including a hell of a lot of Sounders fans. Flash forward to 2010, Seattle puts 18k+ peeps into Qwest, on a Thursday, for a meaningless charity/preseason friendly match, in the rain. Oh, and the ECS made the Timbers supporters look like a bunch of grandmas. For that matter, the Seattle fans that traveled to Portland for the USOC match did the same thing. I should know as I was there.

Portland will always be Seattle’s annoying little brother… a dorky loser that always wants to hang out with the cool kids. And btw, you’re in the MLS because of us.

]]> By: spaz http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/what-the-portland-timbers-mean-to-the-credibility-of-mls/6575#comment-28837 spaz Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:37:36 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=6575#comment-28837 Who questions the official explanation of 9/11? 200+ Senior Military, Intelligence Service, Law Enforcement, and Government Officials 700+ Engineers and Architects 200+ Pilots and Aviation Professionals 400+ Professors Question 9/11 230+ 9/11 Survivors and Family Members 200+ Artists, Entertainers, and Media Professionals Visit Patriots Question 911.com Who questions the official explanation of 9/11?

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]]> By: spaz http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/what-the-portland-timbers-mean-to-the-credibility-of-mls/6575#comment-28836 spaz Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:32:05 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=6575#comment-28836 MLS Portland -- simply AWESOME!! I checked the website here just to verify if you guys were going to keep the name Timbers -- and I see you are. I'm sure the Pacific NW rivalry will be incredible as everyone is saying. I'm wondering what untapped young talent will be discovered in the NW in years to come... I don't get the Tampa Bay Mutiny reference. How did they attempt to "Americanize" the World's game? MLS Portland — simply AWESOME!! I checked the website here just to verify if you guys were going to keep the name Timbers — and I see you are. I’m sure the Pacific NW rivalry will be incredible as everyone is saying. I’m wondering what untapped young talent will be discovered in the NW in years to come…

I don’t get the Tampa Bay Mutiny reference. How did they attempt to “Americanize” the World’s game?

]]> By: Brian http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/what-the-portland-timbers-mean-to-the-credibility-of-mls/6575#comment-28166 Brian Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:59:23 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=6575#comment-28166 Great article. Of course, there's a minor error in the logic... Portland's joke of a stadium at full capacity, even after renovation, wouldn't even hold JUST the season ticket holders for the Sounders... let alone the 10,000 others who show up for every match, every week. The arguments about attendance determining quality of fan support is stupid at best. Although, were it true, the Sounders would automatically win every year, because Portscum's "stadium" will hold 10k less people than even the current Sounders X-Box Pitch configuration. Of course, Qwest ACTUALLY holds up to about 70,000... which Portland will simply never be able to compete with. The same argument applies in reverse. Portland has been playing at a large stadium (for USL), whereas in the years you all are comparing, Seattle played at a stadium that maxed out at 4,000. Essentially, arguing about past attendance figures is absolutely meaningless, even IN context. I'm a long-time Sounder loving, new-time Portscum hating, Levesque mustache-power supporting Seattleite... and although I can't wait to crush the Timbers (...again), the Northwest rivalry is going to be absolutely amazing. Oh, and for whoever claimed that Portland fans are family friendly but Seattle fans are mindless thugs, I was threatened by MANY Timbers fans in Portland, jumped by a few, had my shirt torn, scarf stolen, punches thrown at me, and several guys at a bar tell me they'd stab me if I so much as set foot on the premises when I was trying to find my bus back to Tacoma. However, I understand that this is a part of the game, and honestly... that intensity and fervor of support is what makes both teams stand out among other American clubs. Granted I'd rather not be shanked at a soccer match, but if I did, you'd see me bleeding rave green 'til I die. TAAAAAKE THEM ALL. WAAAATCH THEM FALL. -Brian Great article. Of course, there’s a minor error in the logic… Portland’s joke of a stadium at full capacity, even after renovation, wouldn’t even hold JUST the season ticket holders for the Sounders… let alone the 10,000 others who show up for every match, every week. The arguments about attendance determining quality of fan support is stupid at best. Although, were it true, the Sounders would automatically win every year, because Portscum’s “stadium” will hold 10k less people than even the current Sounders X-Box Pitch configuration. Of course, Qwest ACTUALLY holds up to about 70,000… which Portland will simply never be able to compete with.

The same argument applies in reverse. Portland has been playing at a large stadium (for USL), whereas in the years you all are comparing, Seattle played at a stadium that maxed out at 4,000. Essentially, arguing about past attendance figures is absolutely meaningless, even IN context.

I’m a long-time Sounder loving, new-time Portscum hating, Levesque mustache-power supporting Seattleite… and although I can’t wait to crush the Timbers (…again), the Northwest rivalry is going to be absolutely amazing.

Oh, and for whoever claimed that Portland fans are family friendly but Seattle fans are mindless thugs, I was threatened by MANY Timbers fans in Portland, jumped by a few, had my shirt torn, scarf stolen, punches thrown at me, and several guys at a bar tell me they’d stab me if I so much as set foot on the premises when I was trying to find my bus back to Tacoma. However, I understand that this is a part of the game, and honestly… that intensity and fervor of support is what makes both teams stand out among other American clubs. Granted I’d rather not be shanked at a soccer match, but if I did, you’d see me bleeding rave green ’til I die.

TAAAAAKE THEM ALL.
WAAAATCH THEM FALL.

-Brian

]]> By: Brian http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/what-the-portland-timbers-mean-to-the-credibility-of-mls/6575#comment-28165 Brian Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:45:02 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=6575#comment-28165 More than a handful of Timbers fans threatened to stab/cut/kill/shoot/etc me when I was at the game down in Portland over the summer. Welcome to football. Apparently you've never seen soccer in any country outside of America. Also, I'm sorry that your team (like most Toronto teams) doesn't appear to know what playoffs are. More than a handful of Timbers fans threatened to stab/cut/kill/shoot/etc me when I was at the game down in Portland over the summer. Welcome to football. Apparently you’ve never seen soccer in any country outside of America. Also, I’m sorry that your team (like most Toronto teams) doesn’t appear to know what playoffs are.

]]> By: Chris http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/what-the-portland-timbers-mean-to-the-credibility-of-mls/6575#comment-27487 Chris Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:45:48 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=6575#comment-27487 The city of Portland is going to drop the ball on this stadium issue and before you know another major sport is going to bail out of the city. And the citizens of Portland will have no one to blame but, themselves. Such a shame too, considering it would make the pacific northwest soccer rivalry the best in the nation. The city of Portland is going to drop the ball on this stadium issue and before you know another major sport is going to bail out of the city. And the citizens of Portland will have no one to blame but, themselves. Such a shame too, considering it would make the pacific northwest soccer rivalry the best in the nation.

]]> By: Joel http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/what-the-portland-timbers-mean-to-the-credibility-of-mls/6575#comment-26374 Joel Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:01:45 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=6575#comment-26374 Don't let them do away with your name and crest. Honor the history. It's a very nice, simple logo that the Timbers should carry on into the MLS. I wish Seattle would have done the same. Don’t let them do away with your name and crest. Honor the history. It’s a very nice, simple logo that the Timbers should carry on into the MLS. I wish Seattle would have done the same.

]]> By: Flippin http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/what-the-portland-timbers-mean-to-the-credibility-of-mls/6575#comment-25897 Flippin Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:59:27 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=6575#comment-25897 tjwags You are complaining that the stadium is conveniently located near mass transit? That is stupid. Most teams wish they had that problem. And you are predicting that the team will have financial troubles due to attendance? That makes absolutely no sense since in the previous paragraph you were complaining that the reason people won't go is that there isn't enough parking. But if the surrounding parking garages and MAX are full on game days enough to deter people, then how can there be a problem with attendance? You just sound like a nervous little shut-in. Don't forget that the Timbers have hosted 15,000+ on several occasions just fine and with the Stadium upgrades there shouldn't be a problem in the ground with another 5k. Plus the green line MAX adds more public transit options from around the metro area so that's fine too. Don't worry. If you can't muster the strength to ride one of the best public transit systems in the country, there will be plenty of people who aren't afraid of crowds or being in public that will gladly take your seat. tjwags

You are complaining that the stadium is conveniently located near mass transit? That is stupid. Most teams wish they had that problem.

And you are predicting that the team will have financial troubles due to attendance?

That makes absolutely no sense since in the previous paragraph you were complaining that the reason people won’t go is that there isn’t enough parking. But if the surrounding parking garages and MAX are full on game days enough to deter people, then how can there be a problem with attendance?

You just sound like a nervous little shut-in. Don’t forget that the Timbers have hosted 15,000+ on several occasions just fine and with the Stadium upgrades there shouldn’t be a problem in the ground with another 5k. Plus the green line MAX adds more public transit options from around the metro area so that’s fine too.

Don’t worry. If you can’t muster the strength to ride one of the best public transit systems in the country, there will be plenty of people who aren’t afraid of crowds or being in public that will gladly take your seat.

]]> By: TFC http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/what-the-portland-timbers-mean-to-the-credibility-of-mls/6575#comment-25893 TFC Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:39:08 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=6575#comment-25893 Seattle fans are crazy in a bad way. A gander at Big Soccer posts by some seattle fans will make you wonder what is in the water out there. They threatened to stab some of our fans ahead of our away game there this season. What kind of sounder fans have I wonder? Seattle fans are crazy in a bad way. A gander at Big Soccer posts by some seattle fans will make you wonder what is in the water out there. They threatened to stab some of our fans ahead of our away game there this season. What kind of sounder fans have I wonder?

]]> By: Sean http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/what-the-portland-timbers-mean-to-the-credibility-of-mls/6575#comment-25826 Sean Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:07:27 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=6575#comment-25826 And why exactly will you not take the MAX? I live in Beaverton too and every time I go to a game, I take the MAX or the 54 bus to downtown and it works fantastically! I personally think that the hundreds of bikes parked outside and the lightrail stop across the street from the stadium is part of the charm of PGE park and Portland in general. It's a great feature, especially when hundreds of chanting green-clad fans cram onto the MAX after a win. I think it raises the profile of the team as well because it makes us more visible. And as an added bonus, you can drink all you want and not have to worry about driving home! Basically it comes down to a choice of three options: 1. Parking with terrible game-day downtown traffic 2. Parking, but with a stadium removed from the city 3. A downtown location, limited parking, public transit You can't have the best of both worlds, and I'll take number 3 any day. Ask any Revs fan and I'm sure they would agree. And why exactly will you not take the MAX? I live in Beaverton too and every time I go to a game, I take the MAX or the 54 bus to downtown and it works fantastically! I personally think that the hundreds of bikes parked outside and the lightrail stop across the street from the stadium is part of the charm of PGE park and Portland in general. It’s a great feature, especially when hundreds of chanting green-clad fans cram onto the MAX after a win. I think it raises the profile of the team as well because it makes us more visible. And as an added bonus, you can drink all you want and not have to worry about driving home!

Basically it comes down to a choice of three options:
1. Parking with terrible game-day downtown traffic
2. Parking, but with a stadium removed from the city
3. A downtown location, limited parking, public transit

You can’t have the best of both worlds, and I’ll take number 3 any day. Ask any Revs fan and I’m sure they would agree.

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