Timbers-ology 101
by Thelonious Dunk on Feb 1, 2012 11:22 AM PST
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Hey gang, I'm new to the site and quite frankly a complete rookie in how much I know about this Portland squad you seem to care so much about. I'm an enormous soccer fan and try to keep up with the international leagues as much as possible (La Liga in particular), but sometimes it's a bit of a challenge to stay up to date. The MLS has always been kind of a curiosity to me, but now that Renken is coming over to be a Timber, I figure now is a good as of a time as ever to jump in and get my domestic soccer on.
I figure this is the best spot to become well versed in Timbers-ology. So! Bros! What's to know about this team! Who are the names to watch, the situation going into this season, everything!
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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Welcome, welcome!
I’d love to tell you all about the team, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t do it justice. But if you don’t mind doing some reading, here’s a reading list that will surely bring you up to speed.
Team history
Timbers Army (supporters group) history
NY Times piece from last year
A few inaccuracies, but a good read about our rivalry with Seattle
To sum up last year, we started out pretty weak, especially on defense, but despite that managed to start the season with a 5-game home win streak, buoyed by the home crowd. Then we started losing a lot, but by midseason we started to see some improvement, highlighted by a 3-0 victory at home versus the eventual Supporters Shield and MLS Cup winners, the LA Galaxy. In the end, we missed the playoffs but made it a lot closer than we could have expected, given how awful we were at the start of the season.
We’ll be previewing the upcoming season in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for that, but suffice it to say, we improved a lot this offseason, adding Scottish star Kris Boyd among others, while maintaining our core 2011 group that includes Captain Jack Jewsbury, veteran keeper Troy Perkins, and Colombian international midfielder Diego Chara.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Feb 1, 2012 11:50 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
"given how awful we were at the start of the season."
I don’t remember any prognosis that the Timbers would be any higher than 17.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
but we never lost hope completely
while our boys may have lacked many qualities, not a one of them was ever short on heart.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Feb 1, 2012 12:56 PM PST up reply actions
I brought my parents to that game
My dad was like, “explain to me again why you’re obsessed with this team…?”
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Feb 1, 2012 1:57 PM PST up reply actions
away DAL and KC
But most of the time, yes, they played with heart.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Feb 1, 2012 6:00 PM PST up reply actions
I'd say in those two games
they were more just outclassed than they were outplayed and outhustled. The Houston game at home was an embarrassment since it was the finale and all and they were just totally pushed around. I’m hoping the new guys we have as well as the now vets on the team won’t take that lightly.
Yeah, even when we were looking better thoguh
it was because teams were not physical with us. Teams that played physical had an advantage, if they played off at all our speed took over…
We do really need to dial up the toughness this season and right out of the gate. Experience should help with that.
My nephew warned me heading into the final match that the Timbers would look like they did at the beginning of the season. He has been following MLS for 5 years or so now and said that just seems to be the case, particularly when you are not playoff bound and know it.
No matter what imrovement there has been over the season the last match or two tof the season most teams revert back to the bad habits they had in the first few of the season. That proved to be true for us anyway…
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
Looking back at the team one year ago
On paper, the team that started in COL was bloody awful. In hindsight it’s no shock they lost their first two games.
I expect different this year.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Feb 1, 2012 6:03 PM PST up reply actions
I was expecting to lose
but watching it happen so badly was still demoralizing out of the gate. Brunner seemed to be the only guy with any fire on the field and I remember he covered a ton of mistakes by the back line, but just could not cover enough.
I am excited for this year if nothing else because we have had a settled in Chara through all of camp. This guy is going to be a star in this league if he sticks around. His motor, his ability to get on the ball and challenge opposing players were what we needed last season and with a full training camp and a year in the states behind him his game will only be that much stronger.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
Geoff's Timbers 101 series is a good starter too
Should be in the left column on the front page
Blazers win!
Totally forgot about that
Thanks, X-Man
http://www.stumptownfooty.com/section/teaching-timbers
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Feb 1, 2012 1:15 PM PST up reply actions
To answer your questions
Captain Jack-Jack Jewsbury as his nickname says is the teams captain and hits some great set-pieces.
Diego Chara- Amazing CM who has an engine and is probably the best player the Timbers have.
Darlington Nagbe- Has huge upside (just check out last years goal of the year.
Just a few of the names too look for. As for the state of the team the Timbers where 4 points out of a playoff spot last year in their very first year in existence and have added a lot of talent in the last few weeks and are shooting for the playoffs.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Last year was 1st year in the MLS
But our club’s history goes back to the NASL (1975). We spent the 1st decade of the 21st century in the 2nd division but now the Timbers are where they belong – preparimg to romp in their 2nd season in the MLS.
here were some of my memorable moments from last season
http://www.stumptownfooty.com/2011/11/29/2598463/my-memorable-inaugrual-season-moments
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
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