Mick Hoban, Portland Timbers alum and team captain for the Friends of Jimmy Conway team at this year's Walk to End Alzheimers on September 11th, has a special request. If you know Jimmy, or have a Jimmy story to share, please see Mick's message below:

Dear friends of Jimmy Conway,

We invite you to share a 'testimonial' describing your connection and relationship with Jimmy. If you have anecdotes and, possibly, some pictures too, that would be wonderful.

Initially, we will ‘publish’ all testimonials on Jimmy’s Facebook page - Fans of Jimmy Conway. We will collect all ‘testimonials' and photos and publish them in a book of photos/quotes to be presented to Noeleen, some time shortly after the ‘Walk to End Alzheimer’s’ this September.

To get things started, here's mine:

Name: Mick Hoban

Connection: Former team-mate at the Portland Timbers

Testimonial:

I have known Jimmy since he first arrived in Portland in 1978. He was a great footballer and team-mate and an outstanding coach who devoted his post-playing career in the US to the development of the sport.

What I remember most about Jimmy, apart from his great sense of humor, was his willingness to help new immigrants to the US. In many cases Jimmy was the first person to lend a helping hand by finding them work coaching soccer as many of them had coaching qualifications from their homelands. I know of individuals from Poland, Romania, Egypt, Mexico and the UK whom Jimmy helped.

As he did with his team-mates, including me, Jimmy always had time for others, always was there when help was needed. He was, and is, a true friend to many.

God Bless you Jimmy.

————

I’d appreciate it if you would send me your testimonial to the email listed below. Please use the same format I have: your name, your connection to Jimmy and your ‘Testimonial’. Please include any photographs you may have of Jimmy/Jimmy and yourself/Jimmy with others to accompany your testimonial. 

Keep it short, try and make it personal. Humor is welcome, because we know how much Jimmy likes a good laugh.

Best wishes,

Mick Hoban
mick@mickhoban.com

Team Captain
Friends of Jimmy Conway
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Sunday, September 11th, 2016

Don't know Jimmy Conway? Read more about him in Stephanzy's excellent 2014 write-up prior to a work party. Want to do more to help? Sign up to walk and/or donate for the Friends of Jimmy Conway team. On behalf of Jimmy and his family, thank you.

—by Sherrilynn "Sheba" Rawson

A statement on behalf of the 107IST Board of Directors

As of today, the “Portland Boys” chant has been removed from our web list of chants; new chant sheets printed for stadium distribution will no longer include “Portland Boys” lyrics; and capos and drums/trumpets will no longer lead the Timbers Army in singing “Portland Boys.”

Generally and historically speaking, as a board we don’t weigh in on chants. Other than the annual printing of chant sheets for the stadium and updating the website to match, our general practice as a board has been to leave it to the capos to lead chants and to allow for every person in the stadium to either accept or reject that leadership—bad chants often die because no one will sing them and good ones live because they catch on, not because the board dictates the details of individual chants.

At the same time, although we have heard and read a variety of member opinions and interpretations with respect to “Portland Boys,” not all of them negative, the board recognizes that there are members of the Timbers Army and of the 107IST who find the chant lyric offensive for a variety of reasons.

We considered that we had three options: (1) do nothing; (2) change the chant line in question; or (3) recommend that the chant be removed from the chant sheets, website, and capo/drum and trumpet repertoire.

The board rejected the first option. The arguments in favor of doing nothing would primarily be to honor TA tradition (the chant has been sung by the TA for many years, predating our entry into MLS) and/or to recognize that there is a lack of clear consensus of opinion among TA as to whether the lyric is offensive and why. Given that the chant doesn’t have unique central ties to either TA culture or history (it is a chant with variations sung by many supporters who are fans of many different soccer teams), and given that members offended by the lyric expressed grave concerns to us about issues that relate to our core values as Timbers Army/107ISTs, we decided that doing nothing was not an option.

The board considered attempting to change the chant lyric. Several acceptable alternate lyrics were presented and discussed, both online and in person, among members and within the capo/drum and trumpet corps. The Timbers Army has had a history of changing chant lyrics in the stands before, so we had a sense of what it would take to do so in this case: messaging in the stands both face to face and via papers on seats; reprinted lyrics on chant sheets; repeated direction from capos at multiple games; and a concerted effort by MANY individuals in the stands to educate their peers on a game-by-game basis. Given the potential for creating continued divisiveness within the stands through what would definitely be a long, drawn-out process, the board ultimately rejected this option as well.

Given that inaction was not an option and that changing the chant lyric was rejected, the board voted unanimously to remove “Portland Boys” from the chant sheet, website, and capo repertoire.

We recognize the importance of honoring and recognizing our history; but we also stand for something more. We reject racism, sexism, xenophobia, and homophobia. We reject hate. We value basic human rights and dignity. And if members are concerned that a chant in our canon contains lyrics that run counter to our core, we have a responsibility to decide what we value most.

No single chant defines us, or our ability to show our love for team, town, and TA. Ultimately we know we’ve made the right decision.

Onward, Rose City.

—by Sherrilynn "Sheba" Rawson

Twenty-seven seconds.

AP Photo/Paul Vernon

That's how long it took El Maestro to score the fastest goal in MLS Cup history.  The last notes of the national anthem had barely finished sounding at Mapfre when Diego Valeri capitalized on Steve Clark's less than stellar attempt to control a back pass and Valeri put the ball into the back of the net on the way to the Timbers' 2-1 MLS Cup victory on December 6th, 2015.

And now he has made an amazing gift to the Timbers Army in memory of that moment.

Valeri has signed the ball he struck to make MLS Cup and Timbers history and has donated it to us. Here's his message to the Timbers Army about the gift (haga clic aquí para ver su mensaje en español).

There is no way that words can adequately express our gratitude for his leadership and grace, both on and off the field. (Feel free to give it a try anyway at his Twitter handle, his Instagram, and/or in the comments below.) For now, we'll just leave it at:

Gracias, Maestro. 

—by Sherrilynn "Sheba" Rawson

A statement on behalf of the 107IST Board of Directors

The Timbers Army has grown and changed over the years, from the by-now-nearly-mythical “twenty guys banging on pickle buckets” to thousands of supporters spanning the globe. We are a huge, disparate lot, and we disagree about many things, large and small, in person and online. But there are a few things on which we all agree.

• We support team, town, and TA.
• We support soccer in and around Portland, Oregon, from the grassroots to the highest professional level.
• And we have zero tolerance for hate.

There is no room in the Timbers Army for racism, sexism, xenophobia or homophobia. None. If recent world events have taught us anything, it is that we need to say no to hate, early and often, at every opportunity. This is not a political stance: it is a stance that respects basic rights and dignity for all humans.

We have lots of opportunities to stand up and say no to hate and yes to humanity, on the stands and in the streets. This next weekend, you are invited to march with us in the Portland Pride Parade. All are welcome: if you want to be Timbers Army, you already are. Unless you want to hate on fellow humans. Then you’ll want to look elsewhere.

IT'S NICE OUTSIDE! The seven day forecast looks pretty nice as well. If it doesn't turn out exactly as the KPTV weather guys have told me on the internets you can believe Wayne Garcia will receive a strongly worded letter from yours truly. OK probably not.

Look the MLS all-star ballots are out. Do our players get bonuses for playing a completely meaningless game against Manchester United if they get voted on the team? I really don't know how that works.

Some of you who were soaked to the bone in Seattle might be in a certain adidas commercial.

A few of the younger players have apparently hit a wall. Figuratively of course.

If you're interested in some of the sordid details surrounding the CONCACAF/FIFA bribery scandal going on but haven't been paying attention this is a wonderful podcast with Bill Archer who has been killing the game covering this story.

5 Mexican national team players have tested positive for clenbuterol.

Good day to you all.

Portland, OR - The 107 Independent Supporters Trust (107IST) is happy to announce a donation of $25,000 to Harper’s Playground to fund the planned inclusive play area at Couch Park on NW 19th and Glisan. The 107IST is firmly committed to the mission of Harper’s Playground and is extremely pleased to continue involvement in 2016 with this donation. Since 2011 107IST and the Timbers Army have raised $110,000 for Harper’s Playground in an effort to make sure Everybody Plays.

The 107IST would like to invite any and all to the Metropolitan Learning Center (MLC) at 2033 NW Glisan at 12:00 p.m. on June 9th for a check presentation ceremony. The same check was presented to the Harper’s Playground team, represented by four MLC students, on the main capo stand at Providence Park on June 1, 2016 in order for the entire Timbers Army to be a part of the celebration. “The 107IST and Timbers Army are firmly committed to aiding Harper’s Playground in any way we can whether that be through monetary funds or sweat equity,” says 107IST spokesman Garrett Dittfurth. “The passion and commitment to community from the Harper’s Playground team has captured us and we couldn’t be more excited to contribute further.”

“On behalf of the board of directors of Harper’s Playground, we very proudly welcome the full support of the Timbers Army, once again! This represents the passion for inclusion that we share with the Timbers Army and which we feel across the entire city,” says Harper’s Playground’s Executive Director G Cody QJ Goldberg.

More help is needed!

The project is not complete. While the 107IST is excited to donate $25,000 to the project, Harper’s Playground & Friends of Couch Playground have committed to raise $500,000 for the playground to be built. With this $25,000 donation from 107IST, Harper’s Playground and their project partners, Friends of Couch Playground have reached the halfway goal of $250,000.

"The commitment by Harper’s Playground, leaders, Friends of Couch Playground, community advocates, and the many businesses and neighbors who have contributed to the effort for inclusive play shows the power of Portlanders coming together,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz. “I am grateful for their partnership on this exciting project."

Background on Couch Park Bond Project:

In the spring of 2014, the wooden play structure and stage at Couch Park were removed due to safety concerns after a structural engineer’s evaluation.

The Parks Replacement Bond was passed thanks to overwhelming support by voters in November 2014. It is focused on repair and replacement of the most critical needs in our park system. The Couch Park project is one of more than 30 bond projects taking place citywide.

Support the Partnership with Friends of Couch Playground and Harper’s Playground: These partners have committed to fundraising an additional $500,000 by the fall of 2016 to supplement the Bond budget to create a play area design that is as inclusive as possible. The community can get involved in this effort by contacting:

Lauren Nathe, Friends of Couch Playground
laurennathe@gmail.com
And
G Cody QJ Goldberg, Harper’s Playground
cody@harpersplayground.org, 503-730-5445

About Harper’s Playground

Harper’s Playground was founded in 2010 with the goal to build community by providing an inclusive playground at Arbor Lodge Park where children and adults of all abilities can play together. Our vision is to make a more inclusive world one playground at a time. Named for their daughter Harper, founders April & Cody Goldberg committed to creating more opportunities for inclusion of all kinds in all areas of our community.

About 107 Independent Supporters Trust

The 107IST (107 Independent Supporters Trust) is a member-based non-profit organization open to anyone (regardless of where they sit in the stadium) who loves soccer, the Timbers/Thorns, Portland, and especially the combination of the three. The 107IST is the engine that powers the Timbers Army and the Rose City Riveters and facilitates funding tifo displays and charitable contributions from the Rose City Riveters and the Timbers Army.

—by Fernando Melo

The conflict…I am a tico living in Oregon. I am a big Timbers fan, haven’t missed a match in 2 years.

Sounds counter intuitive, huh? How can one love 2 teams? Let me “attempt” to explain:

In Costa Rica there is no soccer, there is only futbol. When talking about “futbol” in CR, there is Saprissa and La Liga. Everything else pales in comparison.

The “Super Clasico Nacional” as it is referred to is the equivalent of Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Yankees vs Red Sox and the inevitable comparison, Timbers vs Sounders. These two teams have such a strong hate for each other, it makes the Sounders rivalry feel like a thumb wrestling match.

How do I know this? I grew up in Costa Rica, during the 90s when this rivalry was as heated as ever.

To understand Saprissa, I think you should understand how Costa Rica feels about soccer in general.

In 1990, Costa Rica appeared in its first World Cup ever. Eight out of the 22 played on Saprissa. When Costa Rica scored their first goal the entire country stood still. We were sent home from school to celebrate. When we beat Scotland it was sheer pandemonium. The streets were flooded; with I think every single person that lives in Costa Rica. The air was thick with confetti. The president declared a national day off on the spot. Nobody truly remembers the next two days.  That's how much we love futbol. It happened again during the 2014 World Cup. Check the YouTube videos. Parades? We don’t do parades. We party as a country!

La Ultra Morada (Purple Ultra), the Saprissa supporters, are the main ventricle to this love of club. They are radical, they are intimidating, they are downright scary. Landon Donovan calls them the most intimidating group in all of soccer. The rabid fanaticism they exhibit is legendary. One simply does not buy tickets and decide to sit with them. You risk severe humiliation and injury. But if you are Saprissa, they are your heart, your soul and your medulla oblongata. I truly believe La Ultra has won games for them out of sheer intimidation. Sounds familiar, eh? But the true factor that makes this cheering section so legendary is its own inability to control SOME of its members. While the TA is a tight group and well organized, the Ultras embrace organization and chaos. While still boasting great organizational skills, it is also plagued by fringe fanatical groups that may not always be on the side of Johnny Law, or as they are referred to in CR, the popos. These fringe groups are the ones to look out for. In my opinion, Saprissa knows this, and takes full advantage of it.

Just recently Saprissa played la Liga in an Ultra Clasico finals matchup. One of the opposing team players lost his cool, took off his shoe and threw it. His aim was so bad; people contend he was trying to hit the Ultras, but in reality he was just frustrated with himself (yeah right). It did not end well for him. Let's just say that guy got more than he bargained for. Extra security was brought in after the game and still he could not escape the ultras' wrath. Bottom line, you do not mess with them. Respect them and they will maybe acknowledge it.

I bet you guys want to know about the actual team too, eh? Those stats can be Googleized, so let me just give you the numbers: 32 National Championships, 8 “short” championships, 8 Costa Rican Cup championships, 3 CONCACAF club championships, 5 UNCAF championships, 1 Central American championship, 3^rd place FIFA Club World Cup championship. These guys know winning and they win a lot. Why? Their supporters demand and expect it.

The players that Saprissa produces are some of the best in the world. Remember the 2014 World Cup? Chances are that a Saprissa player either scored or stopped a penalty allowing the jaw-dropping 4^th place finish. I believe that party may still be going on.

That Cinderella team boasted a good contingency of players from said club.

Bottom line, PTFC has their work cut out for them. Saprissa is not a team that should be taken lightly, but I can tell you that they are taking PTFC lightly. Whether the Timbers like it or not, they are relative rookies in a sea of seasoned champions. All I can say is be careful going into La Cueva. Make sure you have a buddy with you at all times. Otherwise, enjoy Costa Rica, they have amazing beaches!

—By Sherrilynn "Sheba" Rawson

On Saturday, May 21st, Timbers Army CPR teacher extraordinaire Dale Montgomery headed up a group of volunteers in Portland's Heart Walk, an American Heart Association event designed to raise money and awareness to combat cardiovascular disease and stroke. Dale was happy to report that the event was a rousing success:

We had a combined 43 donors and walkers (32 people walked) who participated as a part of our Timbers Army CPR/AMR 2016 American Heart Association Heart Walk team. We raised $4000 for heart attack, stroke, prevention and awareness. The Timbers Army team really represented Saturday! Our little army was the 8th highest fundraiser out of 100 teams!! Keep in mind the teams ahead of us were from large healthcare companies like OHSU. Of the 32 people who walked, there was my friend John Acerbi who just 65 days earlier survived a cerebral stroke. He and his wife walked together....It was truly an inspirational day.

Dale expressed his thanks to the Timbers Army/107IST volunteers and supporters, as well as to AMR for their support and sponsorship for the walk. AMR has been a tremendous supporter of the Timbers Army CPR initiative, loaning us our first six CPR dummies before we were able to purchase our own for classes, as well as paying for 107IST CPR instructor classes. We truly appreciate their support, and yours. Congratulations for a job well done.

—by Travis Hefner

A version of this editorial originally appeared in the East Coast Platoon Facebook group and is reprinted here with permission.

We are fucking proud. We are proud of the work we do. We are proud of the efforts people put into this club. We are proud of our standing as truly the best supporters the world has ever seen.

Due to this pride, this *deserved* fucking pride, our ire is great and vindictive when what we are proud of does not get to happen.

We are all proud of our fearless ECP leader, Scott Brown. He busts his ass for us to have amazing times at our away days, including communicating for weeks if not months beforehand with our opponent's front office. He, along with members of the tifo crew in Portland, put together that tifo display that you may have heard about on social media. This was not a last minute decision by Scott; numerous emails were sent back and forth between Scott and New England reps. But, they were indecisive. They were lazy. They never approved it or disapproved it, merely continued to deflect and string along until the last minute (quite literally in one case).

Despite weeks of this back and forth, the tifo display we all saw wasn't officially axed until mere *hours* before the game. Hard work? Going through proper channels? Within MLS guidelines? Eh, go fuck yourself still, says the New England Revolution. 

—by Sherrilynn "Sheba" Rawson

Tonight we have a midweek match thousands of miles from home. In spite of the time and location, the Timbers Army will be out in force. The East Coast Platoon and other travelers will be supporting our boys in the stands with songs and chants in record numbers for a Wednesday night in New England. You'll hear them singing, you'll see them cheering. One thing you won't see, however, is this overhead banner in the stands.

Today, the day of the match, the Revs FO refused entry to this apparently horribly offensive banner:

Was there a size restriction? Nope, not specifically. The Revs FO didn't give any specifics on dimension restrictions, and in fact stated that they "try to allow for supporters groups to bring in larger banners."

Was it in violation of MLS standards? Nope. In spite of the fact that they've been marketing this match as one where they play MLS Cup winners Portland Timbers, and in spite of the fact that the Revs FO admit that the poster doesn't violate any MLS content rules, they still won't allow it into the stadium.

Apparently being five times a bridesmaid and never a bride makes one very thin-skinned and grumpy.