Kenny Cooper Appreciation Thread (w/ poll)
by The X-man on Jan 12, 2012 3:40 PM PST
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PrintAs we near the beginning of the second MLS campaign in Portland Timbers history, we find ourselves saying goodbye to one of the most unintentionally polarizing players from our first season in MLS: Kenny "F-ing" Cooper.
Please use this thread to share your memories, both positive and negative, of Coop's time in Portland.
I remember seeing three of Coop's team-leading 8 goals this season in person, none more impressive than his rocket vs. the Whitecaps at BC Place. Nothing like the KFC chant in the opponent's house (our house, in the middle of BC)!
I wish you the best of luck with NYRB, Kenny Cooper, as well as wherever else your career may take you. You will never be forgotten here in the Rose City. You will be missed. See you in 2013.
Alright guys, I don't believe I have to say this but, just in case, please do not submit anything racist, homophobic, sexist or otherwise not appropriate for even the younger Timbers fans.
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I remember that one time he was making a run and he totally fell over
by pdb on Jan 12, 2012 12:48 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I am confused
Was it that one time he fell over or the time he fell over against (Insert MLS team name here)
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
I will miss Kenny Cooper
But that doesn’t mean I won’t get over it pretty soon. Or that we won’t be better off without him.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
Honestly
I really liked his work ethic and watching him stay after everyone else was gone and work on his shot. Do I wish he did things differently, yes but I was thankful he worked hard for us.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Agreed on that
His goal in the Cascadia Summit, at home RSL and Dallas, and of course the goal at Vancouver. That strike at BC Place was a top-notch. But we just didn’t get enough of that from from. I’ll also remember the PK fiasco against DC. Overall, a mixed bag for Cooper.
Stop SOPA
by yepyou'reright on Jan 12, 2012 7:52 PM PST up reply actions
Huge edit fail here
Use DISQUS SBI!
Stop SOPA
by yepyou'reright on Jan 12, 2012 10:38 PM PST up reply actions
Arrgh!
This isn’t SBI, it’s SBN. I need to stop sniffing glue. And you Disqus.
Stop SOPA
by yepyou'reright on Jan 13, 2012 11:38 AM PST up reply actions
Given that he was our best forward last year, despite his problems
Yes. But even beyond that, I liked him. He didn’t get along well with Spencer, but he fought hard and earned his way back onto the field without complaining, and I respect that. I think he will have success with NY, if anyone can.
Oklahoma State will beat LSU in the National Title game by more than 7 points.
Great guy - inconsistent player.
He was wonderful to talk to, very supportive of community efforts.
But on the pitch, he was spotty. Periods of brilliance with mediocrity scattered throughout.
I wish him the best of luck in NY, other than one match per season…
I remember that one time
When Troy Perkins had a goal kick and he played it about 55-60 yards up the left side to a waiting Cooper who lost the header, immediately giving the other team possession.
I remember it because it happened about ten times a game all year long.
The game's other three goal kicks went into the stands.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Jan 12, 2012 5:52 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I will always owe KFC a debt of gratitude
For helping my to really clearly understand the offsides rule.
by petterdave on Jan 12, 2012 4:18 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
My second favorite memory
Was the 3rd goal against LAG, when Zizzo played the corner and Brunner got the header. Cooper was at the near post and his reaction to the goal was something I’ll never forget. He raised his palms skyward in disgust that the ball wasn’t played to him, then slowly walked toward his teammates to join the celebration. Because every ball has to be played to Kenny F’ING Cooper, ya know?
Here’s the highlight reel in case you think I’m making this up:
http://theoriginalwinger.com/2011-08-04-portland-timbers-v-l-a-galaxy-highlights-mls
The highlights dont show what you describe. Especially the raised his hands up part.
It’s too hard to tell from the short clip, but at 4:47 he’s got a great grin on his head. Maybe he was tired? I can’t tell you that from these shots.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Plus, Kenny's at the corner with who guarding him?
None other than the MLS Defender of the Year Omar Gonzalez.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Showing you that he was still a very dangerous player on the roster.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
That's a hell of an accusation you're making
without being able to see his face. He could be shrugging like, “yeah, how you like that LA, 3-0!” He might have thought the ball went over the top of the goal. He might have had a weird burp come up all of a sudden.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Jan 12, 2012 5:11 PM PST up reply actions
I'll admit
That I had not considered that he thought we hadn’t scored. I guess the roar from the crowd could have been missed or meant something else. I’ll rescind my disgust.
I'm gonna go with weird burp, then.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Jan 12, 2012 5:46 PM PST up reply actions
"H'raaa *urp* aaayyyy! Way to go, Eric!"
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Jan 12, 2012 5:47 PM PST up reply actions
I'll take any alternate explanation
If I’m wrong and his reaction is something other than “what the hell. That play was supposed to go to me,” then I’d be happy about getting it wrong. Because quite honestly, that was one of the great highlights of the year, and it’s been tainted for me because every time I see the replay now, I can’t take my eyes off of KC’s reaction.
I want to be wrong here. So a burp it is.
Did you watch Marcelin's Reaction?
Watch him and he is like we scored again couple of claps and slow jog over to the celebration and then when he is hugging Eric sure looks like he is really happy for him. I think he wanted Eric to have his moment and not to rush over to fast to him and tackle him.
Even in the multiple other angles they show with Cooper in the fore I just don’t see the reaction you see. Plus having talked to him multiple times about goals he has scored not once does he take all credit. Never. Every time it always starts with how he got a great pass from Player X. So his reaction goes against everything I learned about him when interviewing him.
So my explanation is this: Shock and then awe at the reaction in the stadium and he just wanted to soak it all in. Then he goes over to Brunner and tells him good job!
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
by Ryan Gates on Jan 12, 2012 6:45 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
When he is hugging
Is referring to Kenny Cooper not James
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Honestly, I'll take your word for it
I’m not being sarcastic or contrary with this. I am going to take your explanation and transform my impression of this incident to be all positive. I would love nothing more than to have completely misread his body language.
As for his body language when he catches up to the celebration in the corner, I had been previously assuming that he had had an initial petty response which in a few seconds had been replaced by a more celebratory one.
But honestly – swear to god, I’ll watch that highlight in the future and assume that I had it wrong before.
No Harm
I know you are not trying to be difficult and honestly I am not trying to argue with you either. Just seems out of character is all I wanted to point out.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
I voted other
Cooper was our best forward but he had his faults which are well documented. If Valencia and or Nagbe are allowed to play up top and shine like I expect them both to then I like this move. If they either aren’t allowed the playing time up top or get injured/fail then this leaves us with a big hole because Perlaza is not a target forward
Kenny's a good dude
He actually posed for a couple pictures with Sounders’ fans before the match in July. I’m paraphrasing, but he jokingly said, “dont let these pictures get out.” The SD card was lost after the match but it made for an awkward/funny photo.
There is a lot of cap space freed up, this is a good move for the TImbers.
Go banana!
Things I'll miss about KFC
.1. He worked very, very hard while on the field. I can’t ever remember him taking part of a game off.
2. He very much cared about how the team did. He seemed to me to be as passionate as any fan was about the Timbers winning.
3. Really good guy. One you could be proud of having on your team.
I maintained on various game threads through the season that he was mismatched with the rest of the team and with the offense that Coach Spencer was running. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he had a lot more success in another setting in the MLS and he deserves it. Good luck.
CraigM
Correct
I voted no for missing Cooper, when I woke up and read this I shrugged. I won’t bash Cooper but I always felt he was built to play a completely different style than what the other Timbers were playing. Other than the away goal at San Jose, Perlaza and Cooper did not mesh well. Cooper is more of a top of the box sniper, and Perlaza big runs and crosses were often met with empty space because Cooper was stopped farther out on the box. I wish Kenny the best, but I hope we end up controlling the ball more, and not these sad dumps into empty space. The big question is whether we have a big target that can get air and fight for crosses. If not, the we hope for a soon to be improved backline to keep us in matches.
The moment he pulled himself up onto the crossbar
After his goal vs RSL was a pretty amazing moment to be in the North End.
When we signed him
My immediate reaction was “Awesome, I love Cooper!” I was glad we were making a splash and going big.
Then he would try to chip the goalie from the top of the box for an easy palmover. Sure, that’s a corner, but fucking strike it man!
So he did. That goal against Vancouver was top fucking notch. A real cracker.
I don’t think he was the player any of us thought he would be. Too bad, he seemed a great dude.
He scored some screamers during the Cascadia summit, and I was super excited
but then, there were only a couple of times when he did that during the regular season, the goal at BC place being one of them. The rest were little finesse attempts. Make the keeper hate his job, especially if he makes the save.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Jan 12, 2012 5:06 PM PST up reply actions
I liked Cooper...
…but he played a small striker’s game in a big striker’s body. He drifted out wide way too often considering his size. He has a good handle for someone his size, but he is not a winger despite his best efforts to be one. He did have a couple moments of brilliance though — just not enough to justify his cost.
by TheBeardedWonder on Jan 12, 2012 7:43 PM PST reply actions
And right after this Kenny fell down, looked for the call
As always, nice work on these BDiskin!
Stop SOPA
by yepyou'reright on Jan 12, 2012 8:15 PM PST up reply actions
The one picture he looed agressive
…. of course he is falling in this picture. You can tell by the right leg trying to get a foul called.
Maybe it is his right leg that is the problem.
~n
by NBorders-PDX on Jan 17, 2012 7:14 AM PST up reply actions
eff all the haters!
Thanks Disky for posting these great images.
guy played his ass off and scored some great goals for us despite ZERO service..
by portlandpadre on Jan 12, 2012 10:18 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Merritt clears up the rumor, or basically cuts it down
TheMikeDonovan
NYRB fans are saying if Cooper isn’t in NY in 2013 they get to keep the allocation money. What? @maofootball @MerrittPaulson #RCTID
@MerrittPaulson
@TheMikeDonovan @maofootball there you guys go again w rumors. Press release couldn’t be more clear. Its false and I am going to quit
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
I love Merritt and his accessibility...
and though I hate to say it, but he better get use to the rumor barrage or just not talk about player movement.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Jan 13, 2012 5:48 PM PST up reply actions
As they say
Never wrestle with a pig: You both get all dirty, and the pig likes it.
Once the door is open he cannot close it.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Here's the thing
It’s not Merritt that has to stop dealing with the rumor barrage, it’s everyone. Don’t pay any attention to them and they die on the vine.
I find rumors interesting and fun
I think lots of sports fans are the same.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Jan 14, 2012 10:18 AM PST up reply actions
I'd never bother Paulson with them
but, damn, he’s starting them occasionally.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Jan 14, 2012 10:19 AM PST up reply actions
thanks to KFC
His strong work ethic and strong team ethic made him a great role model for my soccer-playing son, and we’ll surely miss Kenny. Those things, plus the fact that he was the top goal scorer, helped make said son into a Timbers fan, and I’m thankful for that too. He didn’t fit well into the Timbers style of play, and I wish him luck in NY. Except for that one game a year, of course!
Kenny F'n Cooper
Remember when he was like the Enforcer at the beginning of the season. He was averaging like one fight per game for a while. I think Spencer wishes that guy had stuck around.
I can't remember if it was the Rev's home match or 'Quakes home match...
But my 2nd favorite Coop goal was the one he scored with his, uh, mini-Cooper. Was too funny in the stands!
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Jan 13, 2012 10:27 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Appreciate that hes gone.
I get the whole he was a Timber he scored goals for us. That chump was here for 1 year and got knocked to the ground more than the whole team combined. The f in KFC stands for Flounder cause he flopped like a fish. Big guy like that always on the ground. Sorry, Its hard to appreciate that.
Let's try not to throw around F-bombs too much here.
Just seems inappropriate.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Jan 15, 2012 1:02 AM PST up reply actions
Ha!
You’re funny. But it’s true, we should have traded Cooper to Seattle.
As the days have gone on since the trade, my cognitive dissonance has morphed. The guy scored goals because he stood in front of goal, mostly in an offside position. Sure, he’s had a few crackers, but mostly he just f*******ed around.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Jan 15, 2012 9:29 AM PST up reply actions
I think Mr. Cooper is a class person, positive locker room leader, hard worker, BUT...
We put him in a scoring position, and he did not score enough. He had 8 goals, but he was behind his MLS avaerage. In addition, he did not deal the ball well, and he was expensive. By trading him, the Timbers have an opportunity to improve the team with a DP. Good move by the team, in my opinion.
His goal against Vancouver to give us the win is something I'll never forget
The White Caps have owned the Timbers in Vancouver and to finally get a win not only on the road but against one of our chief rivals made it extra special. It was also one hell of a goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x203Y71e3Uw&feature=youtu.be&t=1m50s
I was really disappointed with the way he was treated by Timbers fans and hope he finds fans who support him instead of constantly trying to tear the guy down.
Goood-bye!!!
Cooper….GROW A PAIR!
The most frustrating player from last year. So much tallent so little strength.
~n
Cooper was my boys favorite Timber
For good or bad, Kenny was the favorite in my house. What a great role model and leader. I really wish that he would have made that first PK against DC, I thought that those PK misses cost him a great deal of confidence.
Hardest worker on the team
I will miss him and I pray he doesn’t come back like Adam Moffat did and break our hearts. I just wonder who the next scapegoat will be for the Timbers Army and the rest of the bleacher coaches to harp on.
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