It had to be the night of November 7, 2025! The glorious night when PTFC bounced the neighbors to the North from the playoff when it officially all started. I did go to a few matches the prior years, but in 2013 the Timbers were rolling and I was never able to get tickets until that glorious night. I tried to find tickets for the second leg of said match, but was unable. My supervisor rubbed it in that she was able to get them to added a bit of salt to the wound. Then that day, I told her, the Ducks football fan, that she needed to stay home and watch the Stanford/Oregon football game and she told me that she was not going and asked if I wanted to buy them. Of course, I said yes and that was the start.

Little background about my soccer history. When I was a kid in Montana, my parents made sure I was busy all the time. Skiing lessons in the winter, baseball in the spring and played flag football in the 4th grade and hated it. Determined not to let me sit around after school and watch Tom and Jerry reruns, they signed me up for soccer for the fall the next year. I kind of liked playing it despite the fact that I was so often stuck back playing defense. But, kept playing it and even bagged a hat trick in 8th grade. Alas, soccer was not a sport in high school for me so basically just had to give it up.

I vaguely remember the old NASL days growing up, but knew nothing about other soccer leagues around the world and only took a slight interest in soccer during the World Cups.

Then the night in November happened. I did watch a bit during the 2011 season when I had cable. Then it went off the radar a bit in 2012 when I did not, but still paid attention and went to a couple games. But, I watched with great interest when Welcome To Your Nightmare happened in Seattle. At the game and saw Will Johnson's PK, Futty's header, and felt the shaking of the stadium when I thought I was being smart to run to the restroom early and missed Valeri's goal. That was it. I was hooked!

I was unable to get in the the RSL game in the playoffs, but remember clearly I had my first enemy: Nick Rimando! I hated that guy! Not because he was dirty or arrogant or because he refused to play here like Dempsey; just because he was good! Growing up in Montana, I was a Jazz basketball fan and he was my new Michael Jordan.

I have not missed too many games since that point. Placed myself on the then 7,000 person wait list for season tickets, I discovered the Timbers Ticket exchange on Facebook, joined the 107ist, and even traveled 2 times to Seattle. Even helped paint several tifos and helped hoist the Winter Wonderland one.

I witnessed Valerl's mid line kick to Adi, Adi's juggle and Will Johnson's finish.

I watched with bitter disappointment when Waston headed in the ball that knocked the Timbers out of the playoffs in 2014.

I saw Aprilla's knuckler that I was sure was heading to the "food cart of the match" booth somehow clang the far post and go in.

And how can I forget the double post? My view was blocked by one of the stadium posts and had to look around it and thought it had gone in.

And sitting with my friends at a bar on December 6, 2025 and seeing our two goal lead hold up after seven minutes! And then watching Merritt Paulson drop an F-bomb at the celebration.

I was excited to see us snatch one of my other enemies from RSL in Nat Borchers and then watched with horror to see him get carted off when I took my parents to the match last year against the Galaxy.

So many highs and lows. So many memories. I know I was late to the party when it came to the Timbers. But, I made it and that is what is important. And, I do not see this party ending anytime soon as long as I am living in Portland. And, if I move, there is always MLS Live.