Another Take on the Design of Portland Timbers 2

Background Photo: Susan Ragan-USA TODAY Sports

Timbers 2 was only founded a year ago, but I was always left a little unsatisfied with the logo that was used. I know its history and homage to the past is apparent. Personally, that doesn't do it for me. That's not to say that it's a bad logo for the team. It's a fine logo, but I personally thought it could have a little more flair while still paying respects to the teams past.

So, I thought I would make the logo a little more badge-like. This has a lot to do with my distaste with purely circular logos. With that in mind, here is my take a Timbers 2 logo redesign. It is just something fun for you guys to take a look at.

Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

After doing some research on some of the other USL teams, it is apparently clear its filled with MLS 2nd teams. You can see it in many forms from T2 to Toronto FC 2, and many inbetween. So, this is common in the league, and their logos are in many cases a bit phoned in. The most obvious case of this is the Seattle Sounders 2 logo: it's just a green silhouette with a "2".

One of the best logo designs that separate itself from the mother club is TFC2. They include the "2" iconography while still maintaining a clear hierarchy with the MLS squad. I wanted to give T2 their own and uniquely deserved badge with a clear tie to Timbers first team. When any fan looks at this logo, they know it's directly tied to the Portland Timbers while still having its own unique identity.

caseharts

I knew when I started it I would have questions on the iconography so I decided to explain a lot of the key parts of the new logo. Here I pick out key things I brought over from the old Portland symbolism that can be found in most of their past logos and how I implemented them here. It pretty much explains itself I welcome any questions on it in the comments.

Here is a historical look at the Portland franchise logos over the years. You can take a look at how this new concept fits into the bigger picture of the Timber logos of yesteryear. If we are being honest the 2nd logo from the left for the Timbers might be one of the ugliest soccer logos I have ever seen. It was an excellent decision to return to the more circular style from the slanted shield, which abandoned too much of the team history trying to be so very '90s'.

I like the current kits a good bit, but for fun I made these new ones that are a bit retro with some flair. Nothing wild, just clean lines and bold colors that made it clear which teams were playing at all times. My favorite is the middle one because of the simplicity, which I like the with that style of collar. It is a timeless style.

At the end of the day, I have no problem with the current logo. It does a fine job for the organization and club. I really like what I was able to do with a redesign for the club and it was fun. I feel it does the club justice in all the ways it can while bringing a fresh look to a club in a league that could use it a bit when it comes to MLS feeder teams. Let me know what you think and if you could support the club with that sort of logo!

I did this in the style of Diego Guevara in regards to the posting style. Mine is still a far more amateur style but his is quite inspiring. If you at all enjoyed my rebrand take a look at his work.