So this thing happens every year. It's called the US Open Cup. The Timbers are playing in it. If you don't know what it is here is the skinny. Every team professional or kind of plays in it in the US from top to bottom. Tomorrow the Timbers play Orlando Lions U-23s. They got here after beating the Charleston Battery after 14 rounds of penalty kicks. Yes you read that right. 14 rounds of penalty kicks. It's the oldest soccer tournament in the US.

This is one of the premier tournaments in the US. It's crazy fun. Typically MLS clubs half ass it. They see it as a secondary tournament until they're the joke of the league and then go all in because they're still standing. I normally wouldn't mention clicking on all those links I just provided but I just provided 3 teams that trotted out the C team and got whooped along with an example of a team playing for nothing else that decided to actually care.

In 2009 and 2010 the Timbers cared a lot about this tournament. They played the Sounders in Portland both times in the run up to MLS. And it's still true that real fans hate Lavesque. It may be uncouth to say but fuck that guy. Any Sounder that suits up for the Timbers had better kiss the badge in front of the Timbers Army. **Drop down to the bottom for me to explain this to you** hashtag Any coach or FO person that doesn't understand this can just suck their own thumb. Fans don't exist in your realm. hashtag I don't care about Akron.

We have an interesting history with the US Open Cup. Former Timber Matt Taylor did this to us. I took one of my best friends to this match for her first one. Honestly I have no idea why she keeps going after this unless she really likes self flagellation. Somehow she's been a season ticket holder since (you're welcome Dan, Chris and the rest of the ticket team).

Then there was this. This was the only match I've ever been angry about a loss. Like...I was mad...I can't explain it. It was anger boiling over into hate. That pretty much sums up the 2012 season though. No matter what you've heard the team out there jogged out and that was it. Jack Jewsbury got a bloody nose and million dollar man Kris Boyd shanked a PK like he was Preston Burpo headhunting before a match. (In the USL years Sounders Players used to "shoot wide" during warm ups and aim for the stands") (That is true or they were really horrible soccer players)

So show up. US Open Cups are almost as fun as USL games were. They also mean a lot more. Winning the whole thing will keep us in the CONCACAF Champions League and honestly at this point I doubt our regular season record is going to do that barring the Timbers going on a run and winning MLS Cup, which could happen, but I've watched a lot of leagues over the years and I kind of doubt that will happen.

**Flat out explanation of fandom. If you wear the nuclear goat piss colored kit of the Seattle Sounders I hate you. This isn't just me. It is much more than me. I realize that some people in the FO think this is like the NBA or something to that nature where these sorts of things aren't personal. They're wrong. If they wear the Sounders badge I flat out hate them. I despise Mike Fucito. I despised him even more after wearing a Timbers badge and clapping off ECS after getting beat to hell at Qwest Field or whatever the hell they're calling it now. Earn the badge. If you played in Seattle and come to Portland work 5X harder. Many may think that's tough but honestly it isn't. The Timbers Army will remember any player, but here's the deal...Play for the name on the front of the shirt, and they’ll remember the name on the back.**

Also as a final rant. I'm really sick of this crap where the club says a player has 60 appearances with the club and ignores the other 40 with the USL side. Futty Danso has 100 appearances with the club and should have been honored as such. Byron Alvarez has still scored 42 goals for the Portland Timbers. Until someone in MLS breaks that Byron Alvarez is the all-time leading scorer for the Portland Timbers. That's counting NASL, USL and MLS. The beauty of our club is the fans honor the past. The FO needs to get on the boat in some regards as well and quit hugging to this MLS only crap. There are only a few teams in MLS that can actually trace their past all the way to the NASL and they should absolutely hold on to all of that history. Just because we got a new car doesn't mean we forget those 2, 3 or 4 other awesome cars that took us on amazing road trips. OK...good talk. Go team!