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Portland Timbers (USL)
Encyclopedia
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon
, United States
. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division
and the USSF Division 2 Professional League
, until the end of the 2010 season.
On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer
commissioner Don Garber
announced that an expansion team
had been granted to the Portland area and that the team would retain the Timbers name. The new team began play in MLS in 2011.
The team played its home games at PGE Park
. The team's colors were green and white. The team also had a development team, Portland Timbers U23's
, which won the USL Premier Development League
championship in 2010 and is currently affiliated with the MLS team.
(NASL) from 1975 to 1982.
awarded an expansion franchise to Portland, Oregon
. The new team, named the Timbers, began play in the 1975 season. In their inaugural season, the Timbers went to the championship game Soccer Bowl
but lost to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0. It was during this magical season that the Timbers endeared themselves to the City and Portland became known as "Soccer City USA". While the Timbers boasted some of the league's best fan support, they sometimes struggled on the field. Despite going to the championship game in their first season, they missed the play offs in 1976 and 1977. In 1978, they went to the Conference Finals before falling to the New York Cosmos
. The team folded at the end of the 1982 season as player salaries outpaced team revenue. These Timbers established soccer as a sport in the greater Portland area. Their legacy lives on in the current Timbers following and the many thousands who continue to play and follow the game. Many of these Timbers continued to live in the area after their playing careers and helped establish the soccer as a vital local sport.
, became a charter member of the Western Soccer Alliance (WSA). In 1989, the team adopted the name Portland Timbers, becoming the second Timbers team and the WSA became the Western Soccer League (WSL). This time the Timbers lasted only two years, 1989 and 1990, before folding. However, in 1990, the WSL merged with the American Soccer League
to form the American Professional Soccer League
the predecessor of the A-League. While this iteration of the Timbers lasted only two years, it had five significant players, national team
goalkeeper and University of Portland
alumnus, Kasey Keller
; former NASL Timbers player John Bain
, who also coached the team; Scott Benedetti
who would return as a star of the A-League/USL Timbers; future MLS player Shawn Medved
; and finally Peter Hattrup
who is best known as a member of the Seattle Sounders
.
Through the 2003 season, the Timbers compiled an inconsistent record, qualifying for league playoffs two out of the three years. They have, however, established themselves as one of the best-drawing teams in the A-league, averaging attendance above 5,000 in each of their four years of existence.
In the 2004 season, the Timbers finished first in the Western Conference, with a record of 18 wins, 7 losses, and 3 draws (57 points). However, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by their long-standing rival, the Seattle Sounders
.
2005 proved to be a bittersweet year for the Portland Timbers. A sweet end of the year playoff run ended by a bitter playoff loss once again to arch-rival Seattle Sounders
. However, many exciting moments went along with the 2005 season, including a 6-1 thumping of the Atlanta Silverbacks
on September 8, 2005; Portland being the only team to give the Montreal Impact
a home loss, and Timbers players Scot Thompson
, Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar
, and Dan Antoniuk
winning league awards.
2006 was a very disappointing season for many reasons for the Portland Timbers, and their fans. The team finishing tied for last in the table with a franchise worst 7-15-6 (27 points) record, the Offensive production was last in the league as the club only netted 25 goals, and the Timbers lost their derby with heated rival Seattle Sounders
.
2007 had many moments for the Timbers. Portland finished second in the league, with first going to rival Seattle Sounders
. They enjoyed successful friendlies against Preston North End (2-1), Club Necaxa (1-0) and Toronto FC
(4-1) while drawing even with the AC Milan Primavera squad (1-1) and winning on penalties, and went unbeaten at home during the regular season.
2008 was a disappointing year to most Timbers' fans for many reasons, although this was offset by the record high season attendances. The team finished dead last with a 7-13-10 record, scored a league worst 26 goals, while conceding 33. However, the 2008 Portland Timbers attendance grew 25.5% averaging 8,567 fans (second in the USL-1 behind Montreal Impact), and Cameron Knowles
won an All-League Second Team spot.
2009 was a record setting season for the Timbers. They went unbeaten for a USL-1 record 24 matches in a row, which started following a 1-0 loss to Vancouver in the first game of the season, and ended with a Sept 3 defeat to Rochester Rhinos at PGE Park. They finished their season at the top of the table (16-4-10 58 points) winning The Commissioner's Cup and a first round bye in the playoffs. With their 3-1 victory over the Miami FC Blues, the Timbers also were the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the 2009 season. The Timbers were eliminated from the playoffs in their first two games (1-2, 3-3) on goal aggregate to Cascadia rival Vancouver Whitecaps.
(2002–2006) Byron Alvarez
(2003–2006; 2008) Mike Chabala
(2006–2007) Martin Hutton
(2006) Alan Gordon
(2004, 2006) Bryan Jordan
(2007) Darin Lewis
(2001) Takuro Nishimura
(2009) Sean McAuley
(2002)
Michael O'Neill
(2001) Tom Poltl
(2005–2009) Brent Sancho
(2001–2002) McKinley Tennyson
(2002–2004) Benjamin Totori
(2008) Josh Wicks
(2007) Gavin Wilkinson
(2001–2006) Jason McLaughlin
(2009)
(2001–2005) Chris Agnello
(2006) Gavin Wilkinson
(2007–2010)
is the center of fan support, and the Timbers with a number of rousing choruses. There are many other groups that occupy the North End (Woodshed) of PGE Park, some who are a part of the Timbers Army, and some who are not. The team mascot is currently Timber Joey, the replacement for Timber Jim
who retired in 2008, a cheerleader who wields a live chainsaw around the field, cutting off a slab of a log each time the team scores.
and Vancouver Whitecaps. All three teams traditionally compete in the three way Cascadia Cup
derby, although in 2009 Seattle Sounders
moved to the MLS, so for two years (2009–2010) the Cascadia Cup will be a two team derby. The three way rivalry was resumed in 2011, when Vancouver and Portland joined Seattle in the MLS.
named Timber Jim
(aka: Jim Serrill).http://www.soccercityusa.com/timberjim/whois.htm. On January 24, 2008, Jim announced his retirement. His final farewell was a game played against Puerto Rico Islanders
on April 17, 2008, the Timbers home opener, which was won 1-0. Having served as the unofficial mascot every game starting the second home game of the season, on June 14, 2008, Timber Joey was inaugurated as the new official mascot at an exhibition game vs Juventus Primavera,a game the Timbers won 1-0.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
and the USSF Division 2 Professional League
USSF Division 2 Professional League
USSF Division 2 Professional League was a temporary professional soccer league created by the United States Soccer Federation in 2010 to last just one season. The twelve-team league was formed as a compromise between the feuding United Soccer Leagues and the North American Soccer League...
, until the end of the 2010 season.
On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
commissioner Don Garber
Don Garber
Donald Garber is the commissioner of Major League Soccer, CEO of Soccer United Marketing, and a member of the United States Soccer Federation board of directors. Garber has spent his entire career in the sports industry, working in a variety of capacities in marketing, television and league...
announced that an expansion team
Portland Timbers (MLS)
The Portland Timbers are an American professional soccer club based in Portland, Oregon that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
had been granted to the Portland area and that the team would retain the Timbers name. The new team began play in MLS in 2011.
The team played its home games at PGE Park
PGE Park
Jeld-Wen Field is an outdoor sports stadium located in Portland, Oregon, United States that is used primarily for soccer and American football...
. The team's colors were green and white. The team also had a development team, Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's is an American soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Although founded in 2008 as part of the development system for the Portland Timbers USSF D2 organization, beginning in 2011 they are part of the development system for the Major League Soccer franchise of...
, which won the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
championship in 2010 and is currently affiliated with the MLS team.
History
This incarnation of the Timbers is the third in US soccer history. They took the name of the original franchise that played in the North American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL) from 1975 to 1982.
Timbers I: North American Soccer League
In 1974, the North American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
awarded an expansion franchise to Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. The new team, named the Timbers, began play in the 1975 season. In their inaugural season, the Timbers went to the championship game Soccer Bowl
Soccer Bowl
The Soccer Bowl was the championship game of the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1983. The event was created by NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam who was trying to build a neutral-site championship event in the mold of the NFL's Super Bowl....
but lost to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0. It was during this magical season that the Timbers endeared themselves to the City and Portland became known as "Soccer City USA". While the Timbers boasted some of the league's best fan support, they sometimes struggled on the field. Despite going to the championship game in their first season, they missed the play offs in 1976 and 1977. In 1978, they went to the Conference Finals before falling to the New York Cosmos
New York Cosmos
The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history...
. The team folded at the end of the 1982 season as player salaries outpaced team revenue. These Timbers established soccer as a sport in the greater Portland area. Their legacy lives on in the current Timbers following and the many thousands who continue to play and follow the game. Many of these Timbers continued to live in the area after their playing careers and helped establish the soccer as a vital local sport.
Timbers II: WSA/APSL
In 1985, a local amateur Portland club, F.C. PortlandF.C. Portland
Portland Timbers, previously known as F.C. Portland, came into existence in 1985 as an independent U.S. soccer team based in Portland, Oregon. In 1989, the team adopted the name Portland Timbers. Portland was composed of both professional and amateur players. The amateur players largely came...
, became a charter member of the Western Soccer Alliance (WSA). In 1989, the team adopted the name Portland Timbers, becoming the second Timbers team and the WSA became the Western Soccer League (WSL). This time the Timbers lasted only two years, 1989 and 1990, before folding. However, in 1990, the WSL merged with the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
to form the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
the predecessor of the A-League. While this iteration of the Timbers lasted only two years, it had five significant players, national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
goalkeeper and University of Portland
University of Portland
The University of Portland is a private Roman Catholic university located in Portland, Oregon. It is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross and is the sister school of the University of Notre Dame. Founded in 1901, UP has a student body of about 3,600 students...
alumnus, Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller is a retired American soccer player who last played for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer....
; former NASL Timbers player John Bain
John Bain
John Bain is a retired Scottish-U.S. soccer midfielder who currently coaches youth soccer in the U.S. Bain began his professional career in England before moving to the United States in 1978. Over his twenty year playing career, Bain played for numerous leagues and teams, both indoors and out...
, who also coached the team; Scott Benedetti
Scott Benedetti
Scott “Benny” Benedetti is a retired American soccer player. He began his professional career with the semi-professional F.C. Portland in 1986 and ended it with the U.S. second division club Portland Timbers in 2005. While he spent most of his career in the lower U.S...
who would return as a star of the A-League/USL Timbers; future MLS player Shawn Medved
Shawn Medved
Shawn Medved is a retired American soccer forward and midfielder. He coaches youth soccer.-Youth:Medved was born and grew up in Issaquah, Washington. His father, Ron Medved, was a noted American football player for the University of Washington and Philadelphia Eagles. Despite his father's success...
; and finally Peter Hattrup
Peter Hattrup
Peter Hattrup is a retired U.S. soccer player and current youth soccer coach.-Youth and college:Hattrup was a four-year starter as a star player for the Seattle Preparatory School boys' soccer team. He graduated in 1982 and entered Seattle Pacific University.Hattrup was a scoring sensation for...
who is best known as a member of the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
.
Timbers III: United Soccer Leagues
In the 2004 season, the Timbers finished first in the Western Conference, with a record of 18 wins, 7 losses, and 3 draws (57 points). However, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by their long-standing rival, the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
.
2005 proved to be a bittersweet year for the Portland Timbers. A sweet end of the year playoff run ended by a bitter playoff loss once again to arch-rival Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
. However, many exciting moments went along with the 2005 season, including a 6-1 thumping of the Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership...
on September 8, 2005; Portland being the only team to give the Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
a home loss, and Timbers players Scot Thompson
Scot Thompson
Scot Thompson is an American soccer player who currently play for Portland Timbers U23's in the USL Premier Development League....
, Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar
Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar
Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar is a Mexican footballer who most recently played for the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division.Alcaraz-Cuellar initially began playing soccer with the San Diego Flash in 2001...
, and Dan Antoniuk
Dan Antoniuk
Dan Antoniuk is an American soccer player.-College:Antoniuk attended Wheaton College, playing on the men’s soccer team from 1999 to 2002...
winning league awards.
2006 was a very disappointing season for many reasons for the Portland Timbers, and their fans. The team finishing tied for last in the table with a franchise worst 7-15-6 (27 points) record, the Offensive production was last in the league as the club only netted 25 goals, and the Timbers lost their derby with heated rival Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
.
2007 had many moments for the Timbers. Portland finished second in the league, with first going to rival Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
. They enjoyed successful friendlies against Preston North End (2-1), Club Necaxa (1-0) and Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
(4-1) while drawing even with the AC Milan Primavera squad (1-1) and winning on penalties, and went unbeaten at home during the regular season.
2008 was a disappointing year to most Timbers' fans for many reasons, although this was offset by the record high season attendances. The team finished dead last with a 7-13-10 record, scored a league worst 26 goals, while conceding 33. However, the 2008 Portland Timbers attendance grew 25.5% averaging 8,567 fans (second in the USL-1 behind Montreal Impact), and Cameron Knowles
Cameron Knowles
Cameron Knowles is a New Zealand footballer who is currently without a club.-College and Amateur:Knowles played college soccer for the University of Akron, captaining the team his senior year. Knowles anchored an Akron defense that allowed only three goals in league play and recorded 13 shutouts...
won an All-League Second Team spot.
2009 was a record setting season for the Timbers. They went unbeaten for a USL-1 record 24 matches in a row, which started following a 1-0 loss to Vancouver in the first game of the season, and ended with a Sept 3 defeat to Rochester Rhinos at PGE Park. They finished their season at the top of the table (16-4-10 58 points) winning The Commissioner's Cup and a first round bye in the playoffs. With their 3-1 victory over the Miami FC Blues, the Timbers also were the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the 2009 season. The Timbers were eliminated from the playoffs in their first two games (1-2, 3-3) on goal aggregate to Cascadia rival Vancouver Whitecaps.
Final squad
This list is a historical record of the final group of players on the last Timbers roster for their final game in October 2010.Notable former players
Hugo Alcaraz-CuellarHugo Alcaraz-Cuellar
Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar is a Mexican footballer who most recently played for the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division.Alcaraz-Cuellar initially began playing soccer with the San Diego Flash in 2001...
(2002–2006) Byron Alvarez
Byron Alvarez
Byron Alvarez is a Mexican football forward. He plays for the Monterrey La Raza of National Indoor Soccer League. He was the 2008-2009 NISL Most Valuable Player.-Early life:...
(2003–2006; 2008) Mike Chabala
Mike Chabala
Mike Chabala is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
(2006–2007) Martin Hutton
Martin Hutton
Martin Hutton is an American soccer player, who last played for Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer.-Youth:...
(2006) Alan Gordon
Alan Gordon (soccer)
Alan Gordon is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.-College:...
(2004, 2006) Bryan Jordan
Bryan Jordan
Bryan Philip Jordan is an American soccer player who currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
(2007) Darin Lewis
Darin Lewis
Darin Lewis is a soccer player from Trinidad and Tobago who currently plays for WASA FC.-Youth:The son of former Trinidad and Tobago national football captain Steve Pierre, Lewis attended Mercer County Community College where he was part of Mercer's 1997 and 1998 JUCO soccer championship teams...
(2001) Takuro Nishimura
Takuro Nishimura
is a Japanese footballer currently playing for Consadole Sapporo.-College:Nishimura attended Kokushikan University in Setagaya, Tokyo from 1997 to 2000, winning the All-Japan Prime Minister Cup.-Professional:...
(2009) Sean McAuley
Sean McAuley
Sean McAuley is an English former professional footballer. He is currently the Academy head coach at Sheffield Wednesday.-Playing career:...
(2002)
Michael O'Neill
Michael O'Neill (footballer)
Michael Andrew Martin O'Neill is a former Northern Irish international association football player, who is now the manager of Shamrock Rovers.-Playing career:...
(2001) Tom Poltl
Tom Poltl
Tom Poltl is a retired American soccer midfielder who was a member of the United States U-20 men's national soccer team at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.-Youth:...
(2005–2009) Brent Sancho
Brent Sancho
Brent Sancho is a Trinidadian soccer player who currently plays for Rochester Rhinos in the USL First Division.-College:Sancho spent his college years playing for St...
(2001–2002) McKinley Tennyson
McKinley Tennyson
McKinley Tennyson is an American soccer forward who played two seasons with the Portland Timbers and the 2002 playoffs with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He was the 2002 USL First Division points leader.-Youth:...
(2002–2004) Benjamin Totori
Benjamin Totori
Benjamin Totori is a Solomon Islands footballer who currently plays as a striker for Koloale FC.-Club career:A small but speedy striker, Totori made his name at fellow NZFC side YoungHeart Manawatu before moving to Richmond Athletic and then onto Waitakere United in 2007...
(2008) Josh Wicks
Josh Wicks
Josh Wicks is an American soccer player who currently plays for IFK Mariehamn.-Early Life and Amateur:Wicks was born on a US Army base, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, in Landstuhl, Germany, but grew up in San Bernardino, California...
(2007) Gavin Wilkinson
Gavin Wilkinson
Gavin Wilkinson is a former New Zealand footballer and current technical director of Portland Timbers. Prior to this position, Wilkinson was manager of Portland Timbers in the United Soccer Leagues before their promotion to Major League Soccer beginning with the 2011 season...
(2001–2006) Jason McLaughlin
Jason McLaughlin (American soccer)
Jason McLaughlin is an American soccer player who last played for Portland Timbers U23's in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
(2009)
- See also: All-time Portland Timbers rosterAll-time Portland Timbers rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for Portland Timbers since the USL began keeping archived records in 2003...
Year by Year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 | USL A-League | 4th, Western | Quarterfinals | Did not qualify | 7,169 |
| 2002 | 2 | USL A-League | 2nd, Pacific | 1st Round | Did not qualify | 6,260 |
| 2003 | 2 | USL A-League | 3rd, Pacific | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 5,871 |
| 2004 | 2 | USL A-League | 1st, Western | Quarterfinals | 4th Round | 5,628 |
| 2005 United Soccer Leagues 2005 -General:* A-League renamed USL First Division.* Pro Soccer League renamed USL Second Division.* The newly renamed top two divisions each become single table.... |
2 | USL First Division | 5th | Quarterfinals | 4th Round | 6,028 |
| 2006 United Soccer Leagues 2006 -General:* Miami FC joined the First Division.* The Richmond Kickers departed the First Division for the Second Division.* The Northern Virginia Royals departed the Second Division for the Premier Development League .... |
2 | USL First Division | 11th | Did not qualify | 3rd Round | 5,575 |
| 2007 United Soccer Leagues 2007 The 2007 Season is the 21st edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 13 when the 2006 league runners-up Rochester Raging Rhinos traveled to the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon to take on the Puerto Rico Islanders.-General:* Two new teams join the... |
2 | USL First Division | 2nd | Semifinals | 2nd Round | 6,851 |
| 2008 United Soccer Leagues 2008 The 2008 Season is the 22nd edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 12 with two First Division games, as the Charleston Battery visited Miami FC and the Montreal Impact visited the Vancouver Whitecaps.-General:... |
2 | USL First Division | 11th | Did not qualify | 1st Round | 8,567 |
| 2009 United Soccer Leagues 2009 The 2009 season is the 23rd season played by the United Soccer Leagues. Season titles will be contested by 20 professional men's clubs in the USL First Division and USL Second Division, as well as 37 professional and amateur women's clubs in the W-League and 68 professional and amateur men's teams... |
2 | USL First Division | 1st | Semifinals | 3rd Round | 9,734 |
| 2010 | 2 | USSF D-2 Pro League | 3rd, USL (3rd) | Quarterfinals | 3rd Round | 10,727 |
Honors
- A-League ChampionshipA-League (1995–2004)The A-League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. The A-League emerged out of the restructured American Professional Soccer League in 1995 and operated until 2004, after which it was re-branded the USL First Division...
- The Commissioner's Cup: Western Division Champions (1): 2004
- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Regular Season Champions- The Commissioner's Cup: 2009
Head coaches
Bobby HoweBobby Howe (footballer born 1945)
-Career:Howe originally played for West Ham United F.C. youth system before progressing through their ranks and appearing in the first team at the age of 21 in 1966. He played at Upton Park until 1971 when he switched to A.F.C. Bournemouth. He played there until his retirement from league football...
(2001–2005) Chris Agnello
Chris Agnello
Chris Agnello an American soccer coach. His most recent position was as Coach/General Manager of the Portland Timbers soccer team in the USL First Division....
(2006) Gavin Wilkinson
Gavin Wilkinson
Gavin Wilkinson is a former New Zealand footballer and current technical director of Portland Timbers. Prior to this position, Wilkinson was manager of Portland Timbers in the United Soccer Leagues before their promotion to Major League Soccer beginning with the 2011 season...
(2007–2010)
Fans
The Timbers ArmyTimbers Army
The Timbers Army is an independent supporters group of Portland Timbers, a football club in Major League Soccer—the top tier of the United States soccer pyramid. Its members are known for their loud, enthusiastic support and the raucous atmosphere they create at Timbers games...
is the center of fan support, and the Timbers with a number of rousing choruses. There are many other groups that occupy the North End (Woodshed) of PGE Park, some who are a part of the Timbers Army, and some who are not. The team mascot is currently Timber Joey, the replacement for Timber Jim
Timber Jim
Timber Jim was the mascot for the United Soccer Leagues Portland Timbers soccer team. A fan favorite from the earlier North American Soccer League Portland Timbers, he came back in 2001 to join the new Portland Timbers....
who retired in 2008, a cheerleader who wields a live chainsaw around the field, cutting off a slab of a log each time the team scores.
Club rivalries
Portland Timbers have rivalries with their Pacific Northwest opponents Seattle SoundersSeattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
and Vancouver Whitecaps. All three teams traditionally compete in the three way Cascadia Cup
Cascadia Cup
The Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...
derby, although in 2009 Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
moved to the MLS, so for two years (2009–2010) the Cascadia Cup will be a two team derby. The three way rivalry was resumed in 2011, when Vancouver and Portland joined Seattle in the MLS.
Mascot
The team's mascot was a grizzled lumberjackLumberjack
A lumberjack is a worker in the logging industry who performs the initial harvesting and transport of trees for ultimate processing into forest products. The term usually refers to a bygone era when hand tools were used in harvesting trees principally from virgin forest...
named Timber Jim
Timber Jim
Timber Jim was the mascot for the United Soccer Leagues Portland Timbers soccer team. A fan favorite from the earlier North American Soccer League Portland Timbers, he came back in 2001 to join the new Portland Timbers....
(aka: Jim Serrill).http://www.soccercityusa.com/timberjim/whois.htm. On January 24, 2008, Jim announced his retirement. His final farewell was a game played against Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
on April 17, 2008, the Timbers home opener, which was won 1-0. Having served as the unofficial mascot every game starting the second home game of the season, on June 14, 2008, Timber Joey was inaugurated as the new official mascot at an exhibition game vs Juventus Primavera,a game the Timbers won 1-0.
Kit Sponsors
| Year | Kit sponsor | Main sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2001-03 | Umbro Umbro Umbro is an English sportswear and football equipment supplier based in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, England. The company is now part of Nike. Umbro designs, sources, and markets sport-related apparel, footwear, and equipment... |
OregonLive.com OregonLive.com OregonLive.com is the online home of The Oregonian and The Hillsboro Argus. Started in 1997, it is owned by Advance Publications, which also owns the two newspapers... |
| 2004 | Nike Nike, Inc. Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area... |
OregonLive.com OregonLive.com OregonLive.com is the online home of The Oregonian and The Hillsboro Argus. Started in 1997, it is owned by Advance Publications, which also owns the two newspapers... |
| 2005–2009 | Nike Nike, Inc. Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area... |
Toyota |
| 2010 | Nike Nike, Inc. Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area... |
SolarWorld SolarWorld SolarWorld is a German company dedicated to the manufacture and marketing photovoltaic products worldwide by integrating all components of the solar value chain, from feedstock to module production, from trade with solar panels to the promotion and construction of turn-key solar power plants... |