One tries to say it was because the games were at Memorial Stadium. Another because D2 soccer was poor. False arguments about because of highest per capita players [if that was true, why the poor USL attendance at Qwest?]. Author doesn’t attempt to define authentic, but recognizes there were two approaches and one certainly is observed to have grown in popularity from the fans, not the owner and FO.

The author does fine in covering both approaches to “promotion.” Very evenhanded.

In 2009, I was impressed with the Sounders recognizing just what they had accomplished. It was evidence soccer was doing well in North America. Portland, doesn’t need to replicate the same because interest is already here.

is that it would coast on its laurels, as far as growing interest and excitement in the team goes – that they would lean on the whole “Soccer City USA” thing and its reputation (which, while well deserved, isn’t enough to guarantee instant MLS success) and not take that excellent foundation and push it to the next level as far as building interest, excitement, and curiosity.

I watched what Seattle did in the runup to their MLS debut, and they did pretty much everything right, and when Portland was officially announced I had a horrible fear that the Timbers org would not try to learn from the Seattle experience and would instead say “we’re Portland and that’s all we need”.

I am quite happy that I was wrong – that Portland has really learned from not just Seattle but from other successful teams in other sports how to connect with a fambase. The way the Timbers have gone about their business this past year has been great – they, like Seattle, have done pretty much everything right for their particular market.

Mostly, I’m tired of talking about the games and ready to start watching them.

I never realized the Flounders had a poor fan showing for the years leading up to the MLS squad. Not that I’m surprised… with the NBA (now gone), NFL and MLB all there to show them up, well, it’s obvious that their squad was overlooked.

Whereas here in Portland, yeah the Blazers are king, but the Timbers still had a great following and it’s only getting more and more powerful as the first MLS season approaches. I’m looking forward to March 19th!

Now they have to Prove it on the Pitch. I’m to the opinion that I really don’t care who’s fan base is more ‘authentic’, that does not win games. Maybe a smug feeling of satisfaction on certain victorys, but that’s about it.

The fact that both teams have great support, and along with Vancouver, the NW will be a great foundation for the MLS to grow on for hopefully years to come. This league needs more fans, and more fans traveling to games.

As much as we give lip service to the Flounders and Whiteheads? (whats the slam for Whitecaps?) we need them, and we need them to be good franchises. And they need us to put out good teams as well.

I hope, as the MLS ages, the NW is looked at kinda like the NFC North, with history and tradition. Hopefuly, the Cascadia Cup will mean something, and not become a circus for MLS.