—by John Nyen

Soundtrack: [1] (first 1:16); [2]

I have a story to tell you.

The beat to this story is a steady drum, the noise of which rolls and swells and grows with every struck note. It explodes from nothing, a sine wave disappearing into the ether and cresting again as it lodges itself against your ear drums before settling into another deep trough. This beat is the PT-FC. It is your heart. It is your feet against pavement. This beat is the sound of clapping and the vibrations that move through you every time we gather together at our church on Morrison Street. This beat is 20,000 fans and millions across the nation feeling the staccato rhythms at the root of their soul.

This beat comes from us and feeds the drums which resonate together so much that they stretch and move and undulate with the force.

When we live as children we find all these things in the now, in the future, in the longing efforts towards adult life. As adults, we lose that that feeling of being in the moment, the flow state as you can call it. We look towards that bright, distant future by comparing it against our past and longing for those long-lost moments.

We sit there with our friends or by ourselves with our expectations steadily shrinking towards ambivalent detachment as the clock ticks ever closer towards the end of our season. We deal with our own preoccupation about the mortality of our team in the playoffs as our beat, our own internal drum, becomes as fast as the heart races.

20’ – Dániel Sallói – goal.

Watching this game between fingers. Heads in hands as fans in the stadium are yelling, screaming, and willing everything into every play.

Fifty-one minutes of apprehension in the Western Conference Finals where we worried about the result. Fifty-one minutes where we made deals with our devils and where we slowly slipped into acceptance.

We watched all the plays in this game that reminded us of past losses from bad moments. We tried to find those moments that reminded us of past victories.

Suddenly, in a precious moment, the world changed.

A ball struck true and hard hangs in the air flying ever closer to the net. We are living in the moment right now and the beat rages, collapses, and builds again as breath itself hangs in your throat. Time slows and expands unfolding all possibilities before us. The net ripples.

We are alive.  We are in harmony with our fellow fans with no thought of division. We are in the resonance. We are in the flow state, my friends.

Everything we can dream, as fans, becomes possible, in that moment.

“I just kick” – Sebastian Blanco

In this moment lives the true feeling of sympathetic oscillation with each other. Not just with the fellow fan, but with the player as well. These moments make us cast aside the modern idea of “rooting for laundry,” because we feel something different that our logical brain tries to deny. We feel the resonance, the beat, the pull that makes all of us one.

My friends, I assuredly tell you that you will feel a lifetime during the next game. You will wonder about everything beforehand. Thoughts will creep into your head during work, during exercise, during lunch. You might even give into momentary daydreams of the events to unfold.

We never know how high we are

Till we are called to rise;

And then, if we are true to plan,

Our statures touch the skies—

The Heroism we recite

Would be a daily thing,

Did not ourselves the Cubits warp

For fear to be a king—

Emily Dickinson

These words tell us all. We must not let ourselves, our own predilections towards fear or shame or ridicule, stop us. We are the arbiters of our fate and the deciders of our destiny. We control what we do in the stands regardless of what happens on the field.

So often you are told that you do not matter. The league will tell you that. Atlanta United will tell you that. Friends will tell you that. They are liars. We manifest our intent by the act of singing, chanting and being there.

Let us, then, be great, for our boys on the field. Let us give them our beat, our passion, our shared resonance and love. Let us fill them up with bravado and hope. Let them feel the vibration of the drums and know our passion. Let them hear our songs and chants.

Fly the flag so that our intentions are known. Fly the flag so that they know we are there, massed in thousands but carrying the belief of millions across the country.

With this love and this passion and this faith we cannot be stopped.

This is how the world knows who we are.

PT – FC

Here's what you need to know regarding the TA at the December 8th MLS Cup match against Atlanta United, as well as events before and after the match. If you're going, please be sure to read this guide carefully and in full.

Weekend Events:

• Friday Night Meetup: Foxtrot Lounge (45 13th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309) & Lava Lounge (57 13th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309) from 8PM-2AM. 21+ Only and no dress code (despite what their website says).
  
  
• Saturday Volunteer Event: Tree planting with Trees Atlanta from 8:45AM-12PM!  Meet at Morningside Nature Preserve.  For more information, please follow this link.
  
  
• Saturday Post-Match Meetup: Blake's On The Park (227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309) & TEN Atlanta (990 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309). 21+ Only.

We do not have any information on any FO afterparties, so please do not ask.

Tailgate and Parking:

Tailgating and parking will be in the Yellow Lot (marked with red star below).  The lot will open at 2:30PM.  We are still working on some details, but beer and food cart (with meat and vegan options) will be available.  You are more than welcome to supply your own alcohol.  Specific tailgating policies can be found here: Tailgate Policy.pdf.  It is suggested that you pre-purchase your parking passes ($12-68):  http://parking.mercedesbenzstadium.com/.

Tickets:

Tickets will be distributed in person at the Tailgate starting at 3PM. It is strongly suggested that you be there in time to pick up your tickets at the tailgate. Registered/transferred names will need to match a photo ID for pickup. Portland supporter tickets purchased through the 107IST are for Sections 330, 331, 332, and 333 of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.  A wristband system will be in place **for these sections only** to assist in preventing overcrowding of our sections.  Please do not suggest moving or invite supporters into the section that are not wearing a wristband provided by the 107IST. The Portland section will be treated as general admission, so you'll be able to stand and sing anywhere within that designated area. Concession stands and restrooms are nearby, and stadium security staff asks that we use the facilities within our area, nearest our section.

Stadium Entry:

At 5:00PM we will be escorted to the stadium for entry from the tailgate area. Due to the number of supporters we have and the extra exempt items we will have with us, it is strongly suggested that you march with the group to the section.  Please do not rush to the entry gate ahead of the leadership group.  If ADA assistance is needed for the match, please let the Travel Team know ahead of time.  Also, please follow their clear bag policy extremely closely. Clutch bags can be no larger than 4.5"x6.5".

[section edited to clarify policy 12/7] Due to clearance issues, we will not be permitted to allow any flags, banners, or two-sticks that have not been cleared in advance with Atlanta by the Travel Team.  Don't show up with flags/banners/two-sticks that have not been pre-cleared; they will not be allowed in! With this in mind, we will have plenty of flags supplied for the group. **No banners or flags may be attached to any part of the stadium by any means!**

Post-Match:

After the match, stadium staff will provide a group egress after a 15-20 minute hold following the conclusion of the match. Please remain in the TA section until this occurs, and follow the lead of security.

Contact Info:

Drew Picard and the 107IST Travel Team are the primary points of contact and the Supporter Liaisons for this match. Please follow the Timbers Army on Twitter or Facebook if further updates are needed.

If immediate assistance is needed, please call or text the 107IST Travel Team @ (850) PDX.AWAY (850.739.2929)

For general questions, please email AwayTravel@107IST.org ASAP!

Dos and Don'ts:

Supporter groups are encouraged to chant, sing and support their team. We ask that supporter groups refrain from using profanity or language that is deemed offensive to others.

All approved items must be brought into the building in advance of all gates opening to the public. The items may be staged in the seating section.

Supporter group items brought after gates have opened will not be permitted to be brought into the facility.

Standing on, or hitting seats is not permitted at any time.

Fireworks, flares, or smoke devices of any kind are not permitted to be brought into the stadium or parking lot. Individuals in possession of or igniting fireworks or similar are subject to ejection and possible arrest.

It is requested that we use the restrooms and concessions nearest our Away sections.

Members of our supporter groups are requested to not enter into, provoke, or incite any other supporter groups. Also, parading around the facility is not permitted.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Policies

https://timbersarmy.org/ta-tickets/away-tickets-travel/away-travel-code-of-conduct

Have fun and support the boys in green!

-Your Timbers Army Travel Team

awaytravel@107ist.org

[Kansas City, KS, & Portland, OR; November 26th, 2018] While Sporting KC and the Portland Timbers prepare for the second leg of the Western conference final on Thursday, the Kansas City Cauldron and Timbers Army are forced to address the potential away supporters’ ticket allocation for MLS Cup.

Both of our organizations have been informed that there will be approx 1000 tickets available for away supporters in Red Bull Arena should they advance. That number is very close to the 5% away fan allocation that MLS supporters have been requesting for a number of years.

Our concern, and frankly outrage, lies in the preparation for a match at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. At this time we are being offered 900 tickets. That number is simply a slap in the face to all supporters that travel week in and week out to support their clubs. The  capacity for the stadium is 72,000 which could be expanded for MLS Cup. 5% of that capacity would be 3,600 or more than 3 times what is being offered.

There are roughly 30-35k Atlanta United season ticket holders. That still leaves 40k single game tickets available in the stadium for a final.

First and most important, offering such a small number of supporter group tickets in a stadium with such a large capacity will create a major security concern. Away supporters will go to the secondary market when they are unable to secure tickets through the normal away ticket allocation process. Away fans will then be scattered throughout the stadium, putting both home and away fans in potentially dangerous situations for no reason.

We understand the advantage of being the host. That said, accommodating away fans when there is a non-neutral site must be a priority. Four of the most passionate fan bases in the league remain. The largest stadium in the league is most likely to host, and the two teams that will face off against them are being offered fewer tickets than the smaller of the two sites. This is simply unacceptable and does nothing to continue the growth of our clubs and league.

Kansas City has traveled with 1300 to Colorado for an away playoff game and over 1000 to Dallas for a regular season game. Portland's weekly traveling support is well documented around the league and demand for an MLS cup ticket will once again be incredibly high.

We request that the Away Supporter allotment in Atlanta be immediately raised to the generally recognized FIFA 5% for away fans. Passion exists throughout the league and we must support that passion, regardless of where a club comes from.

[The Kansas City Cauldron is an independent non-profit dedicated to the support soccer in Kansas City since 1996. The Cauldron works to create the best environment for supporters as well as advocate for all fans with the Sporting Kansas City’s ownership and staff. You can find more information at www.kccauldron.com]

[The mission of the 107 Independent Supporters Trust (107IST) is to support soccer in and around Portland, Oregon, from the grassroots to the highest professional level. The 107IST is a member-based non-profit organization open to anyone who loves soccer, the Timbers/Thorns, and Portland. http://www.timbersarmy.org]

107ist community outreach efforts were instrumental in helping get Portland’s chapter of Street Soccer USA off the ground, and we funded the local team to travel to the Homeless World Cup. Focusing on homeless, refugee, and at-risk youth in our community, the impact their work has done — and will do — really gets deep into the feels.

Continuing our support, our Timbers Army design team at No Pity Originals has collaborated with PDX Originals to create a unique studio sofa remade from retired Portland Airport furniture. With the reused tifo on the back, custom rose embossed fabric on the sides, and a durable leather alternative that matches the team's bench seats at the stadium, this one of a kind item also includes a beautifully finished log slab table from El Maestro’s MVP season. This studio sofa will be raffled off to donors of $25 or more with multiple entries allowed. If this isn't enough incentive, EVERY donor of $25 or more will receive our iconic No Pity scarf as a thank you gift for your support.

You can check out some pics on the PDX Originals site.

It really needs to be seen in person to appreciate the attention to detail. It will be moving around town to different locations over the fundraising period. Currently, it’s out at Rose City Futsal West if you want to check it out.

Please make your donations through Willamette Week's Give Guide portal and get in on this raffle.

It’s that time of year again! That’s right: It’s election season for our board of directors. Time to contemplate the future of the 107 Independent Supporters Trust and everyone’s individual involvement in it. The intent of this post is to summarize what we, as a board, both collectively and individually, feel we may need moving forward. If any of this speaks to you personally, or if you feel you have other skills that are applicable to accomplishing our mission, we invite you to run.

Two of three board members up for election are not running. Please join us in thanking both Mike and Lexi for their terms of service to the 107ist. Neither plans to disappear, by any means. They will both continue in different capacities that better align with where they are in their lives. As the board member in charge of TA tifo, Mike has done a great job of making sure there is a quality leadership team in place. As secretary, comms, and tech, Lexi’s current role is a different one to try to fill and likely won’t be the work of one person. Having someone with strong, applicable skills is important to the org. There is the possibility of separating the secretary position into an appointed one, similar to what we’ve done with the treasurer, but that’s a long-term discussion. Ultimately, the new board will work together to organize roles as best we can once we know who the new members are.

One question asked every year by Josh Barrett, long-time member and part of the 107IST Legal team, is whether we a working board or a strategic board. The answer has long been: We’re a bit of both, with a stronger emphasis on the working side. As a board, we feel this is at more of a tipping point than it has been in the past as we take on some broader goals and have matured more as an organization.

A ton’s been going on outside the stadium over this past year, too. For one, we have successfully negotiated the extension of our leases for the warehouse (five years) and the Fanladen (three years). While this gives us a little grace period to plan long-term facilities solutions, it’s not time to rest on our laurels by any means. We’re talking millions of dollars here, and we need to do this right. We have recently gone through the process of hiring professional bookkeeper services with a nonprofit focus that will take a bit of the the workload off the treasurer and provide further legitimacy as we pursue the capital campaign.

Over this past year especially, we’ve changed and grown organizationally. A good formula for success has long been to come out of a specific area of the organization to take on a leadership role in that area. In several key areas, there are now highly effective leaders that are not on the board. While there is still strong communication with the board on key issues, the board doesn’t need to provide direct oversight over minutiae.  Of note, this in no way excludes any of the people in those areas from running to better perform that functional link.

We’ve been talking to a lot of members who’ve been thinking about running. As always, there’s a lot of hesitation from members who we, as a board, feel would be great contributors. Many know and respect the amount of work it is to be on the board, but are intimidated by the added workload and/or by the effort it takes to run. We all know, intimately, the process of running and can understand people’s reservations. Know this: No one knows everything about every facet of the organization. Go with what you know. Go with what you can bring to the table. That is what people want to see.

With the direction we’re growing, having someone with experience working with nonprofits — and strong bonus points for large capital campaigning experience — is a big need for us, as it’s starting to permeate many facets of our focus. Similarly, we could use someone with a solid project management background. If that’s you, really think about it.

As supporters culture is so close to who we are, we know many long-time members that have been taking more of a back seat for myriad reasons. Maybe family or work life took over; maybe other passions drew you in. Now maybe you’re in a better place to reassess your involvement. Could be the kids are finally out of the house. Maybe you’re settled into your job after finishing school or on an extended sabbatical. Maybe you’re retired and are getting bored with your bucket list and want to stay sharp on your game (you know about the studies). Our culture is a living breathing thing and it should be a struggle to keep it going. It’s a big part of what we do. Not saying it needs to be the old man at the end of the bar or someone who beat pickle buckets, but connections to our past as we move into the future will continually be valued.

One important role of the 107ist board are our deliberations. It can be tough sometimes, and friendships have been damaged over the years (temporarily, anyway). When called on to do so, the board has done a really good job of keeping the debate scholarly and putting the real work into finding the best solution. Some of the best qualities for this are the ability to be thoughtful, rational, and process-oriented. The board doesn’t deliberate in a vacuum, even if it may seem like that from some points of view. This is another area where someone with nonprofit experience could be valuable. Same with cultural experience.

Running for the board isn’t really about winning. It’s about willingness. It’s about being an active participant as we define who we are and what direction we should go. Think back on any of the other 107ist elections you can remember. How different were the priorities each year? It has a huge impact and carries directly into the Annual General Meeting. The more candidates we have, the better that dialogue can be. That said, if elected you will be expected to work, be responsive, and follow through.

Look, there’s no one perfect candidate (well, maybe there is but they’re not running … we asked). Any of you introspectively trying to tick all the boxes, just stop trying. The best way to halt a candidacy is to start making stuff up about stuff you don’t know. We all ask questions. None of us are alone in this. It’s the value of all our combined strengths as an org, well beyond the board, that makes us the force that we are. If you got what it takes, step on up and let’s do this.

The results are in, and Sebastián Blanco is the clear choice of Timbers supporters for 2018. With over 44% of all votes cast going to Portland's number 10, Sebastián Blanco is this year's winner of the Timbers Supporters' Player of the Year belt, receiving 465 votes out of 1051 votes cast in online polling. 

Very few votes separated the second- and third-place finishers, with Diego Chara receiving 227 votes and Zarek Valentin receiving 224 votes. Jeff Attinella finished fourth with 35 votes, and Diego Valeri finished fifth with 26 votes. Together the top three finishers accounted for over 87% of all votes cast.

Congratulations, Seba!

A 107IST member has generously donated a large group of tickets to the organization with wishes for them to go to youth in the community.  The majority of invitees will be recipients of the Gisele Currier Scholarship Fund as well as other local youth.  The Gisele Currier Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) under the 107IST umbrella.

As a means to raise dollars for the fund and raise awareness of the program, the final four tickets are available for a lucky winner via raffle! In honor of Gisele we'd really like to see this program continue to grow,  and for the Portland soccer community to become familiar with it as a resource. 

Gisele Currier was a beloved member of the Timbers Army whose untimely passing in 2011 was a devastating blow. In memory of Gisele, an outpouring of donations were offered to the 107IST in order to support soccer projects in the metro area in her name. Out of this outpouring of generosity emerged the Gisele Currier Scholarship Fund, which was first awarded in the summer of 2011. Today the fund Scholarships dozens of youths experiencing hardships to be able to play the game they love.

In 2017, the Gisele Currier Scholarship Fund awarded 49 soccer scholarships to youth in and around the Timbers and Thorns academy area for a total of $19,953. In April and May of this year (2018) the GCSF awarded 29 soccer scholarships for a total of $13,055. Scholarship recipients range in age from 8 to 18 years of age, and scholarship award amounts vary based on individual need.

Support GCSF and enter for your chance to win 4 tickets (over $200 value) to the RSL match in the Widmer Southern Front Hospitality Space at Providence Park this Sunday. The section is directly behind the south goal. Bring your friends or follow the spirit and invite some youth.

$10 per entry or 3 for $25

Enter the Raffle Here! 

The Gisele Currier Scholarship Fund is recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the IRS; and donations to the fund may be tax deductible (Federal EIN: 47-2324722). Donations of $75 or more will be acknowledged with a contribution receipt for use in tax filing.

I don't remember when I first met Coley, but I feel like I have always known her and her family. You might too. The tiny girls’ front row at the Thorns games; blazing red hair in a mohawk, adorable side cuts, in love with Christine Sinclair (like everyone, obviously). When I originally asked for ideas for match day drives, Coley was one of the first people who responded. Coley is a total badass and a current member of the East Coast Platoon.  I asked her to write a blog post about MVM and what it means to her.

This following is a guest post by TA member Coley Lehman:

This month’s match-day drive supports My Voice Music (MVM). I have been a board member of MVM since 2015. I care deeply about this organization and the impact we have on youth in the area. Here are some important statistics about My Voice Music (MVM):

• In 2017, 1800 young people ages 7 to 20 participated in MVM’s music programs.

• 700 of those are young people experiencing mental health crisis, living in residential mental health treatment centers; through partnerships in over 20 youth organizations; many of whom are recovering from trauma, such as, abuse, sex trafficking, and drug addiction.

• 215 are refugees, unaccompanied migrant youth seeking refugee status in the U.S. who have been separated from their families and were in the custody of ICE.

• 85 are young people living in foster care.

• 300 are young people who attended programs open to the public at MVM studios, which include summer camps for 9-13 year olds; year-round artist mentorship programs designed for middle school, high school, and transition age youth from 11 – 20 years old.

• 85% of those 300 attended free.

Numbers tell one part of the story. Students’ own words tell another part.

“I was not speaking to anyone. I was angry. I didn’t know what to do. Music gave me a place to share what I needed to say.”

-Christian

Hip Hop Artist Outreach Programs, Year-Round Artist Mentorship Student, Rock Camp Teacher

“The first time I heard a recording of my music, I felt a door opening in my life.”

-Joseph, electronic musician

MVM Outreach Student

“My Voice Music is hope.”

-Owen, multi-instrument & songwriter

Rock Camper & PreAmp Student

From the friendships I’ve made through 107ist, I know many of you have personal connections to this work with youth. It is important and often literally life-saving. Please support this month’s match-day drive.
Thank you, Coley (@propersneakers)

Coley has also curated a special list for the 107ist to use as a guide for more affordable items for this drive. 

• batteries (AAA, AA, cr2032, 9 volt)

• ear plugs (the foam kind for sound sensitive folks)

• bus passes

• Notebooks, journals

• pens

• markers (for making band posters, etc.)

• dry erase markers

• Large Easel Sticky Pads (25"x30")

• multi-colored pipe cleaners & other things for kids to creatively fiddle with while taking breaks.

• 5 gallon buckets (for bucket drumming workshops)

• alternate percussion (shakers, tambourines, triangles, etc) can be found in kids toy section of Freddy's

• Blank CDs, similar to these (We go through lots of CDs at our outreach programs and need white ones in order to stamp our MVM logo and info onto them.)

• Portable CD players

• Headphones or earbuds

• Non-perishable snacks

Music Specific Small Items (not found a target or Freddy's though)

• drum sticks

• Acoustic guitar strings

• Electric guitar strings

• guitar tuners

• ukuleles
  
  You can also find MVM's wish list here.

—by Patch Perryman

It’s been quite a season for all of us in the Timbers Army. The capos, drummers and trumpeters thank everyone who joined us in the North End, on the road, and across the globe.

But before the season ends, we have one more request of you (AKA #BYCAP).

You may take it for granted that you’ll be at the next match, singing and chanting yourself hoarse. You’re from the North End and you’re there to make some noise, right?

But what if you couldn’t?

What if the joyful soundtrack of the Timbers Army was off limits to you?

You wouldn’t be alone.

Since 1964, Camp Meadowood Springs in Pendleton, Oregon has helped over 3,000 kids and young adults aged 6 to 16 overcome their unique social and learning challenges. Every summer, they offer a variety of instructive activities intermixed with intensive hearing and speech therapy for their 60-plus campers with communication challenges.

Here’s how you can help:

Instead of buying a pint, consider taking that spare change, that small bill, whatever you would consider to be the value of a “thank you beverage” and put that money into our pickle buckets, which you’ll see hanging off each nest along with one on the main stage.

We will turn that money into tuition breaks for those campers, because even though grants are essential to run Camp Meadowood Springs, the costs campers face are often the initial obstacle for them to overcome. Since the first BYCAP ask back in 2011, the Timbers Army has raised enough to pay outright for 15 campers—and we cannot be stopped from doing more.

If you cannot be at the match on Saturday, September the 29th, you can donate here (select "TA BYCAP"). Every bit helps—no matter if it’s on the pitch, in the North End, or in our community.

Thank you. See you in the stands.

—The Timbers Army Capos, Drums and Trumpets Corps

The 107ist board would like to thank all who have participated in the discussion on this topic.  Through this process we have given special weight to our Asian and Pacific Islander members and the broader API community, locally.  While we don’t discount the ranging concerns around this issue, we believe that our use of the sunburst throughout our iconography is very different in meaning from the Rising Sun, yet we do understand and acknowledge the concerns of some of our members in this regard.

As a result, we will be retiring the green and white capo stand flag unless/until significant design changes can be made.  Also, we have been talking with the creators/owners of the current BAF and Away Sunshine flag about evolving the flags to incorporate more Portland-centric elements that will make them more divergent to any perceived negative reference.  They will be attending our board meeting next week to discuss paths forward.  They have been hoping to have alterations to the Away flag ready to travel to KC on the 18^th, but it may go into temporary retirement until those changes are completed.  Due to the sizable logistics of working on the BAF, any significant changes would need to be an off-season project for them.  Therefore, the BAF will be used in its current state throughout the rest of this season. 

We also feel that this is a great opportunity to highlight some of the great work being done in our community to productively address hate.  The local group Coalition of Communities of Color is working on a hate incident reporting app as a clearing house for incidents that will streamline tracking and response.  The Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) is leading the development of a highly detailed rapid response system of protocols that the reporting app will feed into to provide the most effective, unique response for each reported incident.  This system is currently in the beta testing phase and is proving out well.  The hope is to have it up and running in the coming months. 

By continuing our relationships with many of our communities susceptible to hate, we aid in the social change to obtain self-determination, wellness, justice and prosperity for all who call Portland home.  Through the strength of efforts like these we can contribute to an even broader impact on these present issues and we welcome you to continue to join us as we look for ways to do so.