—by Lucas Grzybowski

As we look forward to tonight's friendly with Dutch heavyweights AFC Ajax, I'm reminded of the first international friendly the Timbers played during the USL era. It was in my second season supporting the club, and I still feel like it was the biggest exhibition match they've played (though tonight's attendance is certain to eclipse the 15K+ we had that day). I'm talking of course about the 2005 friendly vs English club Sunderland AFC.

Photo by Allison Andrews

2004 had been a fantastic season for the Timbers, both on the pitch (winning the Commissioner's Cup before succumbing to the fish mob in the playoffs), and off it (the TA experienced a real growth spurt, eventually filling OMG the entirety of section 107!). In 2005 hopes were high: the team had cast off the old-new-old badge, with the tree motif (which I still hold dear), in favor of the new-old-new-old-NASL-retro badge (which I also still hold dear); all the new fans from the previous season were champing at the bit to get back in the park and support their newfound love; and even with the loss of super striker One(-season-wonder) Alan Gordon, the squad looked likely to repeat their success from 2004 (helped by the full signing of 2004 loanee Scot Thompson).

The 2005 season had begun well enough; the Timbers were unbeaten in their first six, but then they went into a stretch where they lost seven games out of 12, including what remains the most brutal defeat I've personally witnessed on home turf (a 0-5 drubbing at the hands of Rochester, who were at the time a perennial league powerhouse).

Then along came a team from the North East of England, who wore a candy-striped uniform and had just been promoted to the Premier League. They spoke in incomprehensible accents, they called themselves "Mackems," and they came in large and loud numbers across an ocean and a continent to support their team on a pre-season (for them) tour of the western US and Canada.

Photo by Tye Ortega

July 23, 2005 was one of the most exciting days of my time as a Timbers supporter; and that's with a game that ended in a nil-nil draw! It was the first time I'd seen PGE Park at anything close to full capacity (over 15k, which by 2010 was considered a sold-out crowd), and it was certainly the first time I'd seen opposing fans in numbers.

Photo by Allison Andrews

(An aside, in light of recent rumblings about away fans in the Woodshed: Before the match began, a Sunderland fan climbed atop the North End dugout [remember those?] to hang a PTFC/SAFC banner (see above) that they'd made for their trip. Even on this lovefest of a day, the sight of an away fan in the Shed was enough to inspire jeers and a missile to be hurled - I think it was an empty cup - at which the Mackem merely smiled and waved and continued with his work. The moral is: Keep away fans out of the Shed, no matter how friendly they are.)

A couple tidbits from the game: Byron Alvarez missed a penalty kick that would have given the Timbers a 1-0 lead, but in some way if felt good for the game to end drawn. It was the one and only appearance between the posts of fan favorite Sam Reynolds (he of the traveling TA parents), who subbed for Josh Saunders and played the second half.

Misty water-colored mem'ries...of the way we were

After the game there was much revelry. Parties were attended. Chebs were seen. Thick Mackem accents became even more inscrutable with the addition of drink. And after that raucous day, the friendships that were forged proved to be long-lasting: three dozen odd Timbers supporters made the return trip to the UK the following season to support Sunderland against English giants Manchester United (and also against one of their regional rivals).

GERRIN!

That TA trip to the UK is a good long bunch of stories, but too long for this blog post. One thing I'll mention here is that your author (pictured), one joyous night in Seaham, won, and to my knowledge is still in possession of, the "Special Relationship" Pint Drinking Championship, Individual Category. (They creamed us in the Boat Race.)

Since that time Seaham's Finest, one Gary_The_Mackem, has been back to Portland for some Timbers matches, and our own Kip and Jen Kesgard spent part of their honeymoon over in England with the Mackems. When TA nerds like me tell you it's a lifestyle, it's no bullshit!

I'm not crazy about mid-season friendlies; I think it can demean the entirety of American soccer that we play meaningless exhibitions in between real games. I'm not crazy about them, but they can be lots of fun. Meeting supporters from around the globe has been a real thrill, and an eye-opener for a soccer neonate like me. As long as the teams play friendly, and no one gets hurt, there's really little to complain about. Plus it's the only time I don't utterly hate seeing a game end in a penalty shootout (which the Timbers didn't start doing until a couple years later, I believe vs AC Milan Primavera).

Have fun with our Dutch guests tonight, and represent the Rose City proudly. Show them a good time, buy them beers, swap scarves and stories, and try to keep in mind that the game is called "friendly" for a reason. Whereas normally your opponent, no matter how high the regard in which you hold them, is an enemy for 90 minutes...perhaps tonight the Ajax supporters can be 90-minute frenemies?