Crossing West Burnside has long been a concern of the community, city planners, and the 107IST with notable concern for the intersections of 18th, 19th and Alder at the Firefighters Park. On match days especially, with the large number of us taxing the system, accidents have been an unfortunate inevitability in this high crash corridor. As many of you know, one of our members was hit by a car here last season and really touched close to home the need for improvements. While her recovery has been going well, it is important for us to act to reduce the likelihood of it happening again, with more devastating results.

Some funding has recently become available for the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to study this complex intersection and they are looking for comments from the community. If you are a transportation professional, active user of the city’s bicycle and pedestrian system, or simply interested in the subject matter, please review the project site, check out the presentation, submit your comments to staff, and participate in the dialog below to help the 107IST make collective recommendations and raise appropriate concerns. The window for comments only runs through February 29th so, please help us inform the process as best we can by participating. 

Additionally, there has been talk in the community of hosting a charrette to study the area and how the local transportation infrastructure can be improved. If you are interested in participating, please email Stephan.Lewis@107ist.org so we can gauge interest.

Other factors to consider:

• While the main presentation focuses on the “Preferred Alternative,” many other alternatives are not off the table. Some of these include decoupling 18th and 19th, and having car traffic both ways on 19th and bikes both ways on 18th; connecting the bus island to the Firefighters Park and having Alder traffic travel around the south sides of the park; and more.
• Trimet may expand the route of the Fremont line 24 to cross the Fremont Bridge and travel north-south along NW 18th and 19th into Goose Hollow. While this plan will provide better transit access to and from the stadium for those along its route, it could further complicate this W. Burnside crossing.
• If the Fix Our Streets Portland campaign is successful at the ballot this spring, 20th Ave is slated to become a “Neighborhood Greenway” with increased pedestrian and bicycle facilities. How will this connect around the stadium, and how will it affect the study area?

• If SW Alder St is to have two-way bicycle traffic, how will it impact the intersection being studied? Also, how would it connect to the stadium?
• Could this site contain more bike parking? Bicycle parking is at a premium in the area on match days and, with the FO’s bike parking on Morrison disappearing shortly after matches for them to reopen the street, many are forced to leave the area after matches when they could/should hang out for a while before beginning the journey home.

The 107IST is what it is because of the volunteer work of so many of our members. We have a great knowledge base within our ranks that can be tapped to address this issue. Together we can show the community how we do what we do.

Let’s do this, Portland.

107ist volunteers show off their work at The Children's Book Bank book cleaning day on 2/20/2016

Volunteers signing in for their 3 hour work shift. Participants noted how fast the time flew by!

THANK YOU to the more than 30 dedicated 107ist volunteers who spent the day before the Simple Invitational cleaning books for donation to local elementary-school children. Because of your hard work preparing more than 700 used books at The Children’s Book Bank, almost 100 students at Bridger, Chief Joseph/Ockley Green, Sitton, Rosa Parks and James John schools will be able to select 8-12 lovingly restored books to call their own. We also want to thank The Children’s Book Bank for hosting this volunteer event and for their tireless efforts to support children’s literacy in the Portland area.

Shawn Jaquiss from The Children's Book Bank provides detailed instructions on how to clean each book. Like the Timbers Army, the CBB is all about "Quality, not Quantity".

Even if you missed this chance to spread the love, there’s still plenty of time to support The Children’s Book Bank by participating in the 2016 Booked! Drive. We will be collecting gently used children’s books through the 3/19 match against RSL, so stop by with your book donation any time the Fanladen is open. Booked librarians also will be available before every pre-season and regular season match through the end of the book drive to accept your donations. Our goal is to collect 107 books before 3/19.

Inga and Matt Ward putting care and artistic flair into making these books ready for a child to love.

Bilingual and multicultural books are greatly appreciated! Only about 1 percent of donated books received by The Children’s Book Bank contain multicultural content, but more than 74 percent of children served by the nonprofit organization identify as biracial or ethnically diverse. Suggested titles are listed on the 2016 Booked! Drive page.

The following is a guest post from one of the No Pity Originals designers. As they don't like the spotlight, we won't post the name.

When I moved to Portland 8 years ago, I moved here in my shitty car filled with what few possessions I had and $1,500. I had no job and no prospects. All I knew is that I wanted to live in an art city and get a fresh start. The first year in Portland was filled with living out of people's dens and garages. It wasn't all bad though—it afforded me the opportunity to explore the city, find inspiration and create (also play a shit ton of disc golf, GOAT unemployed activity).

During these first few months in Portland, I read a Willamette Week article about how the Timbers (the local USL soccer team) were playing Seattle Sounders (arch-rivals) and the cost was only $10. The price was right, so I hopped on my bike, a Portland hand-me-down heavy steel bike made entirely of found parts, and headed to PGE Park (former name).

*I'm going to stop here, because we all know what happens as soon as we step in the stadium for the first time, and continue on.

As a full-blown shiny-eyed Timbers noob, I started attending more games, hanging out at tailgates and signed up for SCUSA (a infamous and now defunct Timbers Army message board). During all that I found my first full-time job in Portland, illustrating email blasts for an engineering software company (yeah, it was about as unenjoyable as it sounds complicated). As crummy as the job was, it afforded me the opportunity to buy into Timbers season tickets for the next season. That winter my contract was not picked up and I began another stint of unemployment. It wasn't all bad though, I got to refocus on my artwork and live in an affordable place with a basement that I could spend long hours painting in during the long and cold winter.

By the time spring came I had found another job at a publication company working on their website and online publications (was so desperate for this job that I lied my way in and taught myself Java, CSS and other outdated web coding as I went, with only having a basic understanding of HTML before being hired). As an artist who purposely tested out of math my freshman year in college, writing code and working on websites was not for me, but I needed the job. This was also around the time that i finally procured a No Pity scarf.

*Little educational break here: The way No Pities were distributed in those days was a lot different. One would have to check SCUSA for days waiting for a nice lady by the name of Gisele to start a new thread on SCUSA with the latest order. There you would put down your name and sponsor a set of five scarves. Eventually you would go to the next Timbers army meetup and pick up your set of scarves months down the line. It was a lot of waiting. Either do that or find someone with a set of five scarves that had extras they were looking to sell.

That Timbers season was pretty magical. With a found confidence I would go to tailgates and events to make friends and learn more about this (still) newfound obsession. There I started to see a few people selling their own specialty Timbers Army scarves and shirts out of the back of their cars or shady-looking bags, raising money for tifo. Tifo at this time was single overhead banners, a line of two-stick banners placed across the field's dugouts, or the occasional actual two-sticks. This sparked a thought in my brain: "Dude, you're a designer and an artist, let's make some TA graphics." Through the next weeks I flooded SCUSA and people's inboxes with ideas. I wasn't even trying to figure out what to put them on (tifo, shirts or scarves), I was just brain-dumping on anyone who would look. I don't think I was insufferable, but I was definitely relentless. It should be said that no one really cared (only thing I ever made were some spoke tags for the Bike Brigade), but what did pop up was a handful of people on SCUSA trying to organize a website committee for the Timbers Army. Obviously I wasn't the best web developer, but I signed up regardless as a way to help out and get more involved.

What working on the web team did for me was defining. I finally saw behind the curtain. Saw how many hardworking and caring people were out there using whatever skills they possessed to keep the Timbers Army legacy protected and DIY (I would go as far to say DIY as FUCK). There was a committee that met with the Front Office to keep our section GA and make sure they could bang drums and raise banners. There were legit lawyers (fans working pro bono) working to trademark the TA logo and the phrase "No Pity." As a punk kid, this just made everything all the more sweet. This was before MLS was even whispered. It also allowed me some face time with a group of guys interested in organizing Timbers Army merchandise under one umbrella. And after about a year and a half of being relentless in helping make graphics and constantly putting my name out there to help with whatever I possibly could, I was brought in for the first ever "merch" meeting.

Through the next year, two nonprofits were formed: the 107ist and No Pity Originals. I'm going to speak to the latter as I was an intricate part of that whole process.

*The NPO name wasn't going to come around for another year or so, but our standards and practices were set in stone. Rule #1 and pretty much the only rule: No one gets paid!!!! This was bittersweet for me, because I was broke as fuck and like any designer, I wanted to get paid for my hard work. But also being my mother's son, I knew what good I could do for my community (I grew up watching my mom volunteer her time to no end, whether it was Meals on Wheels or reading to the elderly). We felt obligated by Gisele trusting us to sell No Pity scarves hand to hand that all the profits from our little merchandise operation would go straight towards tifo and community outreach, period.

Due to the limited startup capital, we were really only able to make two different shirts (the green and white TA ringer and the classic crest tee) and No Pity scarves. We had an old trailer donated to us that was painted like the Sunshine Flag; we hollowed it out and started selling from it on game days. Since the very start and to this day, I'm still amazed by how many No Pity scarves are sold, and because of them we had enough money to expand and make more shirts and more scarves. By the end of the year I had made a bunch of awesome TA punk rock shirts, been the primary designer on the "Little Beirut" scarf, and helped with the "Your Magic is Real" scarf. I was out of control making graphics for this little brand we started. So much so that it affected my shitty job and I was fired (there's also a little more to this that involved me skipping work to go to Vancouver, BC and kinda breaking the handle on the Cascadia Cup, but that's another story on someone else's blog).

This began one of the most trying times of my life (and remember I was living out of garages and dens when I first moved here with barely any cash in my pocket). Here I am getting a chance to work on a brand from the very inception, I can see all the amazing successes we're going to have in front of me, but I'm unemployed at probably one of the worst times in recent memory. I remember a particular low day where I called an old apparel company I used to work for asking if they'd be able to manufacture headwear for NPO and then riding my bike to apply for food stamps.

By the time the next season rolled around, we had started selling product online (warehoused in a deep NE garage with no heat) and we bought an old step van to sell out of. I had also began a new job delivering wine around Portland for a company based up in St. Johns. So my days consisted of riding my bike from SE Portland 8-10 miles to St. Johns, working a 10-hour day, then coming home and cranking out designs until I passed out. That season our merch operation got a name, No Pity Originals, and we opened up with a fleet of goods: hats, hoodies, tees, scarves, stickers and patches. With the name came more legitimacy, branding our products with tags and registered Timbers Army trademarks. We even started making seasonal lookbooks, which are just great to work on because they're super-spontaneous and just one day winging ideas with your friends hoping the pictures come out in focus. That was the last year of the USL Timbers and was pretty much our breakout year as far as a merch operation goes.

I'd like to say that since then everything has been peaches and cream, but not really. I got fired from the wine job for accidentally flushing a key down the toilet (I'm serious) and started another all-too-familiar stint of being unemployed. During this time and probably the entire time I was delivering wine, I was getting a lot of pressure from the close people in my life (parents, brother, girlfriend at the time) about what the fuck I was doing. Here I am, constantly unemployed or in a dead-end situation and basically working another job doing what I wanted for free. It was a lot of pressure, embarrassment, self reflection and it did look all too familiar. I'm sure my answers of "Hey, it's different this time, this Timbers Army stuff is going to be huge," stopped being believable. But it was different though, because before this I had a college portfolio of work full of a bunch of irrelevant projects that were probably never that good to begin with. Now, I had a ton of actually-made apparel with lookbooks! With my newfound free time we were really able to organize probably one of my favorite seasons of product and lookbooks.

Coming into the spring of that season I started getting staffing agencies calling me, saying they saw my updated portfolio and that there's some interest from some local apparel companies looking for designers. Since that time my life has changed a bit: I got a decent paying job, I live on my own in a normal apartment and pay all my bills on time!

It's not over though, this story keeps going for 4 years before we're at the present day (also I think I might be missing a season in there, don't drink kids!). Because No Pity Originals is a nonprofit, I've been able to keep volunteering despite my job situation! Why would I? Because I believe in the No Pity Originals ethos and my love of this community has never changed. It's the right thing to do. Since the days of just a handful of us struggling, now we have these super-talented kids that want to work with us. I get to return the favor and help them the way NPO helped me. It's a wonderful cycle to be a part of.

During which we've done seasons of awesome swag. We opened the Fanladen, which I got to help decorate. I spent a long weekend in a warehouse with an amazingly talented artist helping him put together the largest non-traced tifo display America has ever seen. Countless amounts of products designed, times figuring out how to make a better web store, arguments about whether to sell No Pity Scarves online, miles driven in the No Pity van. As tiring and frustrating as having a pro bono second job can be, there's always been a silver lining: seeing a playground built for children of all abilities, child-specific soccer pitches, high school programs getting to keep offering soccer programs to their students. It's something that I feel will always keep me grounded and humble. Every morning when I get dressed, I stare at a piece of that little trailer we used to sell out of when we could barely afford to sell anything more than a couple shirts and No Pity scarves.

This isn't just a bio piece that I'm writing. The whole reason it started was because we were looking for a story as a way of marketing ourselves (and like everything NPO does, we all pitched ideas and this was mine)...No Pity Originals is constantly being accused of being non-inclusive (elitist), bogarting all Portland soccer merchandise or just being a bunch of jerks. Maybe the latter is true but there is good reason why we only want to work with certain folks. None of it is because we're elitists. In fact, technically we are a business and businesses bring in the right people for the job and a lot of people don't make the cut. It's not personal, but we have prided ourselves since our inception in making the best designs we can. We receive so many submissions and we want to review them all and give feedback, but sometimes we just can't. I always kinda wondered if we we are some sort of outlier? Do people send other big brands unsolicited ideas and do they even look at them? Regardless, it means the world to know that people want to help and are willing to hit us up! Hearts are definitely in the right place! There is also a reason why we're protective over our intellectual property or harsh towards people selling Timbers Army related product for a personal profit. The 107ist is a nonprofit that benefits and depends on NPO product profits to help the community that we live in and our team plays in. Not only are there other and better ways to make yourself a living, but it also takes money away from our community. A community where we are trying to build handi-capable playgrounds, soccer fields located in low-income neighborhoods (and running soccer camps), after-school programs for kids that may not be able to afford a camp, or any other myriad of community projects the Timbers Army funds. It's why we wake up in the morning. It's why after an 8-hour day of staring at a computer making apparel, we head home, crack a beer and keep on making apparel or head downtown to help pack shipping. Or show up 4 hours before a match to work the NPO van to get you those No Pity scarves. It's being my mother's son and putting my community first!

We were saddened to learn that Pantelis "Pondo" Kosmas, owner of the Mad Greek Deli and ardent Timbers supporter, passed away unexpectedly of a brain hemorrhage at age 49 this past Sunday.

Pondo was a huge presence in the community and soccer was his passion, as all knew who gathered regularly to watch matches at the Mad Greek.  A soccer prodigy as a child in Beaverton, he was a devoted Timbers supporter, traveling with many of us to Columbus for the Cup match.

His friends and family have requested that donations be made in his name to the 107ist to support youth soccer programs.

Details about Pondo's prayer service and funeral can be found in today's Oregonian. There will also be boxes in Timbers colors at the cathedral for cash donations.

(Note: Donations to the 107ist are not tax-deductible)

 

If you missed out on the Timbers Army section tickets for the World Indoor Track and Field Championships there is one more opportunity to get in on some of the action! Organizers have provided us with an allotment of free opening night tickets which includes the World Pole Vault finals.

The 107ist will be in charge of distributing these tickets which you can obtain on our eventbrite page HERE.

Your event ticket will also get you 2 free beers (or other beverages) during the Fan Fest at Pioneer Courthouse Square (read below).  

DEADLINE FOR TICKETS IS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14.

 

TIMBERS ARMY AT PIONEER COURTHOUSE SQUARE

Pioneer Courthouse Square will also host a fan festival throughout the weekend and feature the medal ceremonies as 26 track & field world champions are crowned.

107ist members and those with tickets from the Timbers Army section will have access to two free beverages during the medal ceremonies on Friday & Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon (March 18-20).

 

Tye Ortega of OPI. Photo by Karen Gjerning

Thanks to the approximately 90 members who came out to the Mission Theater for the 2016 107ist Annual General Meeting, and thanks to Todd Diskin and Jerry Makare for organizing.

As we do every year at this event, each committee shared their accomplishments from the previous season, plans for the current season, and current volunteer needs.

Here you can view some of last year's accomplishments in infographic form. We've got a lot to be proud of:

Infographic by Lindsey Moore

Download the 107ist 2015 infographic as a PDF

Thanks also to Chris Wilson of the Timbers Front Office for bringing the Cup by for a photo op. We were bummed we weren't able to drink delicious victory beer from it this time since it's recently been polished by Tiffany, Chris was the only one authorized to handle it and he had to wear special gloves—but just having it there brought back all those warm fuzzy feelings again.

 

Karen Gjerning with the Cup

For those who weren't able to attend or who would like to look through the slides again, you can view or download the AGM presentation slides and notes as a PDF. Note that some sensitive financial data has been removed from this download, but the info is freely available to members by arrangement with the Treasurer.

Volunteer Signup Forms

Across the organization, we need all types of volunteers at all skill levels. Please read both the presentation slides and the following signup forms for details about what each committee is looking for. Committee chairs will be getting back to applicants within the next few weeks.

• 107ist Events / Fundraising
• 107ist Partners
• 107ist Finance - QuickBooks Data Entry
• 107ist Community Outreach
• 107ist Info/ Membership Table
• 107ist Membership Committee - Database Expert
• 107ist Membership Committee - Gift Selection / General Workgroup
• 107ist/TA Communications
• TA Travel
• TA Game Day Operations
• TAFC Committee
• Riveters Design Team
• Riveters Communications
• Riveters Sales/Membership Team
• Riveters Travel
• Riveters Capos/Drums/Trumpets

 

We're pleased to announce that Nike has invited members to the company store again this year. Those who are 107ist members by 2/11 may visit the Nike Company Store once between 2/13 and 3/12. Nike does have some strict rules for who takes advantage of this pass. Please see details below before setting out on your shopping trip. You will not need your membership card to enter, but you will need your photo ID.

Access is limited to one entry during the authorized dates.

• Everyone MUST provide a photo ID (e.g., driver's license) at check-in, including your spouse, permanent partner, and/or dependent children age 15 and older.
• The member signed up must be present for eligible family members to gain access.
• Your spouse/partner must provide proof of the same address to accompany you into the store.
• Your dependent children must be:
  • 22 or younger with the same address
  • 24 or younger with a valid college ID
• Please do not wear any competitor brands into the Nike Company Store.
• Merchandise may not be purchased for reimbursement/resale.
• Select merchandise may be available to employees only.
• No exceptions will be made to these rules.

ADDRESS:  Nike Company Store | 3485 SW Knowlton Rd., Beaverton, OR 97005
Phone: (503) 671-1601

STORE HOURS:  10am – 7pm (Monday – Saturday), 10am – 5pm (Sunday)

NOTICE TO ALL STUDENT ATHLETES: National Collegiate Athletic Association rules strictly prohibit student athletes from receiving special arrangements or “extra benefits” based upon athletic ability. Shopping at the Nike Company Store is considered by the NCAA to be an “extra benefit,” which may lead to the ineligibility of a student-athlete.

We're happy to announce you can now purchase tickets for the first few matches through our website! If you're going to San Jose, Los Angeles, Orlando, or New England, tickets for these matches have been placed on sale here: ta-tickets/away-tickets-travel/away-tickets

You'll want to buy early if you know you're going! Tickets are limited to the capacity of the section we've been allotted, which varies by stadium.

Unlike previous seasons, we won't be putting every single non-Cascadia game up for sale at the start of the year as we continue to explore options to improve away travel ticketing. Keep a lookout here, on Facebook, or on Twitter if the game you plan to attend isn't available for purchase yet.

As always, our Timbers Army tickets are purchased in the visiting supporter section. You will receive your match ticket from the TA shortly before the match, and the entire section is treated like a Timbers Army section (standing, drums and flags where allowed, et cetera).

–by Gabby Rosas

Nearly a month has passed since we won the Cup. As we progressed through playoffs, it became more clear that the road to the final was going to go through Ohio. I took the gamble the night before the semifinal match, while texting with a couple of friends to coordinate which flight, which hotel, who was getting a rental car. This was all well before the charters, and well before we had any idea how many Timbers fans and Timbers Army were going to be making the trek to Ohio.

My story is similar to others’: I burned all my Alaska Airlines miles, was on the phone with Customer Service to try to figure out how to do it in the most direct way, crammed 5 people into my hotel room (also covered by points), and shared a rental car. But there are a number of unique stories about how TA got to the match. Below are a few, direct from the Traveling TA themselves:

Green: starting points, yellow: ending/transit points (map by John Holden)

 On Friday December 4th I drove 2 hours to PDX, flew to SFO, flew to ORD, drove from Chicago and slept in the rental car somewhere between Chicago and Indianapolis. On my way out of Chicago I was in the middle of a high speed chase in south Chicago. I finished the drive to Columbus the next day. – Jonathan Haase

One of my favorite stories was from one of our futsal buddies. Ben Harris mentioned after one of our matches that he was thinking about driving to Columbus from Portland, even though he didn’t have a ticket. And he did just that - driving across the country with his ex-GF to help her move. At one point, they calculated the time and almost weren’t going to make it, so they doubled down and drove straight through to Ohio. After he got to Columbus, he got tickets from the Marsh family after they were given tickets by a winner of the FO drawing. Believe Beyond Reason. – Recounted by Ray Terrill

I flew on the red eye flight from Portland to Detroit on Friday night before the game.  Lots of PTFC on the flight. Many of us continued to Columbus on a puddle jumper at 6:20am–probably half the flight consisted of Timbers supporters.  We were delayed on the tarmac in Detroit for over an hour (most of us got some additional sleep), but finally arrived around 10am.  – Bryan Smith

We flew into Cleveland late on Friday night and spent the night, then drove to Akron on Saturday morning. It was cold and foggy, and walking around on the pitch where so many of our guys got their start was pretty amazing. We packed ourselves back in the car and made our way to Columbus and our date with destiny. – Ray Terrill

I traveled to MLS cup alone, planning to meet my cousin in Ohio. Luckily, half the flight was composed of green and gold, so I was fortunate enough to sit with folks I could actually speak to. I've been in Oregon since 2009, so I have a lot of friends in the TA, but there's also a few thousand I don't know.  Not knowing anyone on this flight, I made the great decision to sit with Mike and Charlotte Kocher on my first leg. These two original 1975 fans were more than a pleasure to chat with, as the ride was filled with history lessons about the city of Portland, the team, the TA, the chants, and even how to be a good grandparent. – Benjamin Stern

I found myself in Charlotte, NC for work when I got the call from the Front Office. It was my ticket rep letting me know they had a seat for me to Sunday’s MLS Cup. I was scheduled to fly back from Charlotte to Portland on Friday. But knowing how tough it was going to be to get a flight on Saturday back to Charlotte, I tried to reroute through Columbus. That didn't work either. A quick look on Google Maps, a call to Delta (sorry Alaska), a check on rental car prices, and I found myself driving over the Appalachian Mountains, through North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and into Ohio, to watch a 90 minute soccer game. – Kevin Murphy

While driving over the Appalachian Mountains may seem like quite the ordeal, I was on a flight from LAX to Columbus, and one of the TA members with whom I had traveled from PDX to LAX had a medical emergency. Edward was also on the flight. This happened at about 2am:

While on our flight from LA to Columbus, a passenger experienced a medical emergency. One of our fellow TA members, Jose Rodriguez, immediately volunteered to help the man. He spent the next 30 minutes making sure the passenger was stable. – Edward Kilgarriff

Green: flight routes, yellow: driving routes (map by John Holden)

The night before the match, many of the Timbers Army faithful gathered at a couple of bars in downtown Columbus to drink and share in the merriment. Throughout the night, people climbed the stairs to the balcony area and hung over the crowd to start chants. The atmosphere was at times electric and other times familiar, as fans met up, sharing hugs and stories while the pints flowed. At some point the truck showed up with the log, and people gathered around it for photos, including several stunned Columbus fans.

Seeing the log pull up was pretty amazing. Probably the two things that stick in my mind from that night are seeing IceFunk lead chants again from the balcony (miss that guy), and getting to see, talk to, and hug Timber Jim. – Ray Terrill

The day of the match, everyone had their own routine, their own pregame ritual. I was completely off my game. I arrived in Columbus with my 2 travel mates at 5am, drove to the hotel and collapsed face first into the hotel bed around 6am, only to get up at 9am and try to force down some breakfast and coffee. Then, the 5 of us staying together had to play musical showers/bathroom time to try to get to the tailgate by 11am or so (we didn’t want to miss all the fun!). Others had some slightly different pre-game experiences:

On the morning of MLS Cup, my buddy Kyle and I were on our way out the door from breakfast downtown, and were walking behind some middle-aged women wearing black overcoats and pushing a stroller.  As we got closer, I saw that one of them was wearing a football scarf, but nether green-and-gold nor the Columbus yellow-and-black, which didn’t make any sense.  Sort of a red-blue-yellow thing with an odd logo.  I thought, “Is that an RSL scarf?”  We got closer still, and I saw the lettering: “NAT BORCHERS.”  We had to ask, “Excuse me, ma’am, but why are you wearing a Nat Borchers scarf?”  She turned around with a beaming smile and said, “Because I’m his mom!”  The other woman was his aunt, and the little boy was (I think) his son!  She explained to us that the RSL claret-and-cobalt was her only soccer scarf; that she’d been hoping Nat would get a Timbers one for her, but he hadn’t gotten around to it.  I asked her for the honor of giving her my own No Pity scarf.  She tried to politely refuse, but I assured her that it would mean so much more to me than she could know if she took it and wore it for the Cup final.  Moreover, Kyle had two scarves on at the time, and he could immediately replace mine (which I appreciated, because my neck was cold).  She graciously accepted, and I placed it around her neck.  It was an amazing moment knowing Nat's mom would be sporting my scarf as her son marched on to victory! – Thomas Raines-Morris

There have been a lot of figures thrown around regarding how many TA or Timbers fans actually made the trek to Columbus. There was a wild tailgate before the match, hundreds of people decked out in green and white having fun and pinching each other because “How did this happen? Can you believe it?!” We shared our stories of how we were able to drop everything and make this happen in person. Some stories were so ridiculous: canceled flights, rerouting, driving thousands of miles. And then there were the fortunate few that were able to be on the Front Office charters.

I was one of the lucky ones who won the trip to fly with team on Thursday. I first though a friend of mine was punking me when he called and said I had won, but then when I received the notification I knew it was true. Now the hard part started. I had to get my boss to let me off work and let me go.....which I did by inviting her along. Then I had to get the rest of the week's work done in a day plus reschedule the meetings we had for the week plus the following Monday. Then arrangements had to be made. Well, Thursday rolls around and the day has come to fly out with the team. We board first and get the rules about the flight told to us, let's just say it felt like detention......but the team needed to be focused so it needed to be that way. – Gary Read

After traveling to Vancouver and Dallas to cheer on our boys, it was an easy decision to follow them to Columbus.  We used the last of our airline miles and $1200.  Secured our hotel room, but then we missed the first game ticket lottery while flying home from Dallas, we missed out on the next lottery, etc. I whined on the TA page pleading for StubHub to be kind.  A friendly TA faithful had two extra tickets that we were able to buy for a reasonable price.  Feeling the love.

Then we learn that we won seats on the Alaska Air Supporters flight and game tickets!!!  Wow! What a flight.  Timber Jim and the indomitable Shawn Levy on board to help cheer us along, love notes from us to the players, great trivia games–so much positivity and great energy; with all the sponsors, the supporters, the city had done, there was no way the Timbers could lose! – Becky Patterson

Then there was the actual match. I had planned to stand with a few of my friends from 208, and through some miscommunication, we were split up. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic experience. I ended up meeting up with everyone after the match for a low-key dinner (well, almost dinner) at the pub down the street from my hotel. I was wiped. A red eye plus that match? I needed to sleep for a week! Others, not so much. Here’s the take from fellow travelers about the match and post-match experiences:

I tracked down my new friends at the tailgate before the game and in the stands after the game.  I missed them at the Union for the TA afterparty, although I did get two beers on MP's tab.  I spent the evening adding foil star stickers to the crests of happy TA members for the next two hours.  We sang along and drank along and rocked the house.  Drag queens arrived later–it was like a "party in Portland, no one [was] sleeping [that] night". A wonderful time made significantly better by all my TA brethren in Columbus. – Bryan Smith

After the match, we tracked down an Uber outside Mapfre and made our way to the victory celebration at Union Cafe in Short North. Drinks and food were ordered and shared (thanks Merritt!), and we sang ballads and show tunes for hours and hours (including some tear-inducing renditions of “In the Air Tonight” and “We Are the Champions”). An absolutely amazing night with hundreds of my favorite TA people. A perfect way to end an amazing season. – Ray Terrill

Two season ticket holder lottery tix, two TA tix, and airfare? Check! My husband Steve and I were ready. We couldn't miss the -year anniversary of the Akron-Louisville final college cup 2010.  Where Nagbe & Porter walked away winners while my son Buckminster's team came in 2nd.  Fast forward to 2015. With 30 family members waiting, we flew to into Louisville, picked up my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson for the trek to Columbus. Decked out in green paint and employee-store Space Jam J's, my party of 5 took on Mapfre Stadium. Now my son Buck, instead of taking the last shot on goal against Akron, was in the stands teaching his 3-year-old Tucker how to Tetris and pogo hug during the game. To imagine that 5 years could bring such changes to so many fortunes had to be witnessed in person. Proud to tailgate, proud to be in the TA, proud to win, proud to attend the rally, proud to plant trees to honor the city of our beloved team.  Our Thursday-Monday flight, our multiple family reunions would have only happened through the hard work of the timbers and the faithful TA. This time, it was nice to be on the same side as Porter & Nagbe. After five years, all is forgiven. – Elizabeth Tufty

I joined close to 2000 people, most I barely know, and yet in the last five years I consider them some of my closest friends for at least a few Saturdays and Sundays each season. I barely understand the game or how in just a few years it's driven me to do crazy things like this. But it is special. – Kevin Murphy

We met up with my husband's babysitter from 1968. She wanted to drive us to the game where she planned on tailgating through the game because she didn't have tickets.  Perfect, our chance to Spread The Love.  We gave her our extra tickets, our scarves from the flight, and welcomed her to the Timbers Army!  Her Crew friends tried to light the scarf on fire but by the end they were all sharing a little post-game love. – Becky Patterson

I started my trip back to Portland early on Monday morning. I just had to retrace my steps back to LAX and then Portland. I arrived within 15 minutes of the team plane, mainly because they experienced a delay leaving Columbus. I was able to see the team, the trophy, Porter, MP, and everyone from inside security. I was able to see the plane land. I was very fortunate to have the whole event come full circle.

Watching our boys stomp the Crew was amazing and then the partying began. Well, the next thing you know it is time to fly home, so we head to the airport and end up delayed for an hour and a half. Hmm, strange parking place for the Timbers plane. Well, they get that sorted out and we finally load up. Well, this time the flight felt more like a classroom in which the teacher had left the room. The players were having fun, the fans were having fun, it just felt right. Pictures with the Cup, oh oh this is just amazing. Well, then the turbulence started on our approach in to Portland and that's when things got real interesting, the team all raised their arms and broke out into a rendition of Tetris.....the plane bouncing around providing the movement back and forth. Then the team had enough of that and started the "blow the fkn whistle" chant, too funny. But I can't end this story without thanking the team of nameless people who made this once-in-a-lifetime experience happen, I have no idea who all of you are but THANK YOU ALL for my moment in Timber history. – Gary Read

On the trip back, a huge number of us were stranded in Midway Airport for hours on end. Being the lone wolf that I am, I wandered the airport with a huge grin on my face from the previous day's events. Eventually, a small group of TA beckoned me over for a picture and to chat a bit. Tye, Gordon, and Rob were kind enough to invite me into their conversations of footy, TA history, and life. I mentioned that it was Icefunk who notoriously welcomed me to the SCUSA community 6 years earlier, and the irony of him welcoming me to this meeting of the minds in the airport was... well... A bit of SCUSA nostalgia. It's the people like these, and the shared obsession over a game of footy, that make this whole experience one of the pieces to living a fulfilled life. – Benjamin Stern

Do you know what? It was worth every penny and every second to be there for our boys. I met so many amazing people and fellow road warriors along the way. Can you believe that we won the league?! We can now say that we have the best team along with the best fans in the league. – Jonathan Haase

So many great stories from so many people. Our magic is real. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS.

—by Travis Hefner

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Author's Note: Originally written around Thanksgiving of 2015 as a sappy note of thankfulness during the holidays.

Part I: The Time Before

I like soccer. A lot. I find entertainment in just about every skill level, style, and type. I kind of proved that by, some might say insanely (they're right), staying at my local soccer bar, Piper's Pub, for sixteen straight hours once upon a time.

See, there's a team I love above everything else when it comes to soccer: the Portland Timbers. The things I've felt for this team, in traveling to see them, sharing small talk, laughter, and eventually other parts of our lives with fellow fans, and living and dying with every touch of the ball are near indescribable. Especially considering, at that point, I'd never even been to Portland, Oregon.

This irrational love shouldn't exist, it shouldn't matter, right? But it does. It matters because of all the people you know involved. You know their happiness. You know their sadness. Joy, frustration, bemusement, all of it you know because it is yours, too. All of these emotions that you group together with friends and family become more than it ever would be on its own. Why does it matter so much? Because we all make it.

So, I sat at a bar for sixteen hours because of it. I watched soccer while I waited to watch MY soccer. I watched a bar of Spurs and Gooners sing and chant during the North London Derby. I watched...less during La Liga and Serie A matches. Less still during women's college soccer. I perked up slowly as MLS playoff games began. It wasn't my team yet, but teams in the same league, at least. DC United went out. Montreal went out. Seattle (hysterically so) went out. Portland was staring me in the face. Something happened, though, first.

My friend Bobby walked in. He, despite being a Sporting Kansas City fan, came to the pub for solidarity. I'd been drinking by myself for a bit as there aren't too many MLS fans in Pittsburgh, PA, so the company was welcome.

We talked about soccer. We remained stunned over the penalty kicks between Portland and Kansas City. We talked about travel.

I'd never been to Portland. My days with the Timbers Army had always been with the wonderful people of the East Coast Platoon. DC, Philadelphia, Columbus, New York Red Bull, New England, New York City FC, and Toronto have been my games. I'd never been home.

Not a game goes by without being reminded of this. "When are you going to Portland?" "You gotta get to a home game!" "Fuck, Travis, go to Portland already!" I honestly love the reminders. To a certain extent, it meant I was as special to the people in this group as they were to me. There was no malice in these reminders, just the strong desire to share something so special with someone else.

Bobby had experienced this emotion and was about to again. He had recently flown across the country to see the NFL team he follows in person. He would, the next weekend, go to South Bend to see his beloved Fighting Irish. "Just fucking go," he said about his reasoning for this. "What else are you doing? What's holding you back?" This wasn't about me, but at the same time, it was. I knew what I had to do. Just one problem still: Vancouver.

The Timbers, however, didn't see the Whitecaps as much of a problem. They were brilliant. They scored their goal and then never let Vancouver sniff a strong chance. Diego Chará put it out of reach late. I grinned, I beamed, I sang to no one in particular and everyone. Portland versus Dallas was going to happen.

I got home. I slept on it. I posted a screenshot of prices for flights from Pittsburgh to Portland. From there, it was all formalities. East Coast Platoon became Enabling Coast Platoon. I drowned in kind offers of tickets and places to stay, not to mention constant “Yesssss!”s and “Do it do it do it do it do it”s.

It had to happen. A few mouse clicks later, it did. Years of loving a city from a far, a city I'd never been to, would finally come to a close. November 22nd the Portland Timbers would play FC Dallas in the first leg of the Western Conference Finals. And I was going to be there.

I was going home.

 

Part II: The Rose City

I got into Portland after an adventure. Wind and ice in Denver made my flight to PDX a bit more nervy than I thought it was going to be. It didn't matter, though. The turbulence didn't matter, the hours of flying didn't matter, the fear of takeoff and landing didn't matter—all because the Rose City was on the horizon.

In between grins when we touched down, I mouthed songs to myself. My elation mixed with delirium due to the long day of travel, but landing in a city you had only dreamed of prior will give you a second wind like you can't believe. Portland and I were occupying the same time and place.

Due to my Denver shenanigans I expected to travel downtown to where I was so graciously put up for the weekend by Scott Brown. A text waited for me, though. The next light rail downtown left soon, and we'd better be on it. The other part of that "we," of course, was Scott Brown.

If you're ECP, you know Scott. If you're ECP, you've been helped by Scott. If you're ECP, you owe Scott. My debt, now? Astronomical. Scott will shrug this off with a smile like he does when we chant his name at the end of away days, but fuck it, I'm writing it anyway. Scott Brown is an excellent person and I'm privileged to know him.

Anyway. My flight was supposed to arrive an hour earlier at the same time as Scott's. Pretty easy plan from there, yeah? Nope. Mother Nature fucked some things up. Still, Scott waited, and we got on the light rail.

Portland lay before me. Places that I'd only seen on TV and shady internet streams; places that I only knew existed because friends told me as much, were now in my personal eyesight. I whispered them all with varying degrees of reverence: "Mt. Hood," "Moda Center," "Burnside," but only one name got caught in my throat. "Providence Park."

The tears welled, the voice failed; the body kept going, though. Around midnight that special Friday, I got off the light rail. I ran (as well as a 5'11", 220-pound dude can, anyway) to my personal heaven. I touched it for the first time. I grinned. I giggled. Scott laughed. I was home. Two days later? I'd get to go in. But my love of the Timbers extended to the city itself, and getting to explore it was going to be incredible on its own.

I always say, "It was the Army that kept me," when people ask how some jackass from Pittsburgh became a diehard Portland Timbers fan. No, it wasn't the chants or the size or my fellow supporters' diehardness (that's a word, shut up). It was the community. Years ago, when I first started watching the Timbers on TV, I always loved the atmosphere. But, what always touched me the most was seeing gay pride flags waving in the crowd. Those flags expanded to banners and eventually to tifo. The Timbers Army, for me, is about acceptance. And, it's never been lip service. The phrases "Spread the love," from Timber Jim, and "If you want to be Timbers Army, you are," were never empty words. In the city, and eventually at the match, I was once again reminded of this.

I hadn't seen the city save for the street lights. Lucky for me, I was still on Eastern Time, so 5AM seemed like a good idea in terms of when to wake up. While we were waiting for Blue Star to open (I was hanging with doughnut connoisseur Scott, recall), I got to walk in the city and just experience it all. A sunrise by the river and the Rose City slowly came into view. It's a beautiful city, you guys.

After doughnuts (double doughnuts, actually, cause we might have gone to Voodoo, too...) I had to explore for myself. So, naturally, the guy with a history degree went to Powell's. It was there that all that acceptance I spoke glowingly about came so into focus.

I hear the f-word a lot still where I'm from. I'm sure some of you are saying "Yeah, it's still here, too," but, I can assure you, it is not the same. I'm sure for most of you in Portland, seeing an openly gay couple in public is so normal that it doesn't even register with you. It registers with me. I saw, in my short time in Portland (honestly just browsing Powell's if I'm honest), more openly gay couples that I have in years where I come from. What's better? I seemed to be the only one caring or taking notice of this fact. For everyone else? Totally normal happening. Because it fucking is. Truly, Portland is the accepting place it always says it is, and the soccer club within the city is a reflection of that.

This belief in community, in acceptance, in doing all you can continued into the night. I heard about the Special Olympics/Timbers Army game that was going to be played at Lincoln High School. I had to go. I was amazed by the amount of people there despite factors such as the cold weather. As the uncle of a special needs child, I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to be a part of a group that not only does events like this, but does them because it's just the right thing to do. There's no patting oneself on the back here, merely "Uh...yeah? Of course we did?"

I had had my day in the Rose City. Prior to going to bed, I took one long last stare at Providence Park from the window. I went to sleep with a smile on my face. Not only because tomorrow was match day, but because the city was everything I had thought it was. The Rose City has my heart.

 

Part III: Match Day

Finally. Finally after years I get to go in. I get to stand in the North End. I get to lose my voice during a home game.

I get to be a part of #LineCulture.

Waiting in the wristband line was something I was always excited to do. I had no idea why until I actually did it.

Everyone had a buzz about them. Everyone had a story to tell or a smile to share. Spots were saved as someone jumped out of line to go grab coffee or breakfast for those around them. Friends saw each other as they walked the line and embraced. Cars and the light rail chimed the tune to "When I Root." It was incredible. Apparently I waited in that line for hours, but it didn't feel that long. As we approached the staffers handing out the bands, the emotions rose again. It was almost time. The band was placed around my wrist, number 656, a number that will forever have an irrational importance to my life, and my whole body quaked with anticipation. A mere few hours from now, I'd be inside.

But first, let's have a drink.

So many people have made being a Timbers fan incredible and easy. Andrew Simon extended a hand and a beer in welcome as I nervously approached my first away day in Washington DC years ago. Brian Fiore-Silfvast grabbed me to help him assemble flags for that same game when he noticed me quietly drinking by myself. Ellen Wallin grinned at me and shouted, "You don't say stupid things!" when she realized who I was from the East Coast Platoon Facebook page. Jade Chen always gave me someone to talk to about soccer, whether serious or a completely ridiculous joke. All of these people are special. All of these people probably don't even realize such simple acts of kindness make a world of difference to someone.

In Portland? Happened all over again. Alex Leeding, someone who I'd certainly met before in my travels but didn't know that well, didn't think twice about inviting me into his apartment to share beers with friends both old and new. Again, it's such a simple thing, but it means the world.

It's a weird thing, when you think about it. For me, all of these people I see a handful of days a year. But, at the same time, because of social media, you feel like you know them better because even when they aren't around, they kind of still are. So, because of the Portland Timbers, strangers (and honestly people I shouldn't know at all based on where I'm from) are actually really good friends.

This group of people drank together, laughed together, worried together, and got ready for the match. It was finally time to head into the stadium. I, however, had two more stops before that.

The No Pity scarf is magical to me. It was a physical embodiment of the Portland Timbers in Portland. When I first started as a Timbers fan, the scarf was never sold online. You had to be in Portland. You had to go to the No Pity Van. This was the talisman of my pilgrimage. And, at long last, I got one. I really don't remember anything except how the fabric felt in that moment; the ground wasn't there and the voices talking to me were distant. Holding this scarf in my hand I finally felt like a legit Portland Timbers fan (maybe I already was one, maybe I never will be) and it was amazing. I turned, grinning, for my one last stop before going into the stadium. The Fanladen.

I'd seen what my money does in being a member for 107ist in person. It was time to renew my dues. Makes sense to do that in person, right? I walked into the Fanladen and Sheba was there to guide me through it all. Sheba, someone I'd known only as a legendary persona on Twitter, was right here in front of me, explaining to me the beauty of the place. I had another moment, not going to lie. Everything that I've spoken about when it comes to the Timbers, comes from right here. This is where everything that makes the Portland Timbers more than 11 dudes kicking a ball around a pitch comes from. It was incredible to be in there, even for a few moments, and renew my dues happily. Never am I more sure that I know my money is going to good things than when I give it to 107ist.

I got lost in the stars. Scott, my guide (and at times, babysitter) that weekend, slapped me on the shoulder as I stared at everything in the Fanladen, "Dude, we gotta go!"

Oh, right, the game.

Never before had I seen so much green and gold in my life. Years of knowingly nodding at someone wearing Timbers gear was thrown at the window. I didn't have to nod today, everyone knew. We lined up and slowly made our way inside. I took a shuddering breath before I took that final step through the open door.

I stepped. Holy shit. Holy shit holy shit holy shit. I was in the home of the Portland Timbers and I had no idea what to do with myself. A hand, I'm pretty sure it was Scott's, grabbed my shoulder and guided me to the North End. I immediately looked at the ground. I stared at the ground as I walked down the stairs to our seats, knowing I'd lose it if I looked up even once. Finally, I got to my seat (well, where I was going to stand, anyway). I was in front of the drums. Wayne's World played in my head. I'm not worthy.

Another friend made sure I had this place. Maggie Williams was also the first to check on me when I finally looked up. I lost it. Jesus, the field was right there. I covered my mouth, my eyes went wide as they filled with tears. I was home. Maggie smiled that easy, knowing smile and put her hand on my arm. "You having a moment?" she asked, then added, "I understand." Everyone did. Everyone let me have it. It took damn near until kickoff to regain my composure.

It's weird, being a Timbers fan from the other side of the country. You know people in Portland without ever having been there before. I awkwardly said hello to Shawn Levy, someone I had met by happenstance in New England before he traveled with the Timbers on their Champions League run (remember that? Good times). He grinned and welcomed me, so happy that I could finally make it out. I embraced Darren Lloyd like someone I'd known for years (which, I guess, is kind of true), after he came down from his drum. He was so excited for me. In asking around for Darren, I made a new friend, Lexi Stern, who listened to me ramble and babble (not unlike what you yourself have been doing at this point) about how I became a Timbers fan and how important and special it all was to me. Doing that, saying why I was here, brought me back to Earth a little bit. Thanks for that, Lexi.

As we approached kickoff, I was once again reminded of my love for the Timbers Army with two simple items: A French flag flying in the air, and a "Refugees Welcome" banner in the North End. These simple actions are by no means going to win wars, but they tell the world who we are. We are a group of people not cowed by the worst humanity can offer, but one ready to lift up with solidarity and also accept those who are in need. I am so proud to be part of the same group of people that brought that flag and banner.

The anthem. Good God, the anthem. It was real now. We were all singing, until we finally hit the end, "And the home...of the...TIMBERS!" and I stopped. I wanted to hear it, I wanted to feel it, I wanted to get lost in it. Just for a moment, as I held up my piece of the tifo with everyone else as the other pieces rose in front of us, I let it wash over me. It was everything I had hoped for. It was loud, it was joyous, it was incredible. I added my voice again, and I didn't stop for over ninety minutes.

At halftime I walked the crowd like I'd been there before, seeking out people I knew to interact with them for the hundredth time, but to say hello to them for seemingly the first. Mike Kurfis was one of the first people I met when I became a Timbers fan. We talked about soccer, beer, and even Pittsburgh sports teams as Mike is coincidentally a fan of theirs, too. All of this was on Twitter. But, that halftime, I was able to meet him and his wife for real. It was great. Friendships that had been cultivated for years online were able to be in person for that moment. It was great to meet Mike, embrace him, and tell him how good it was to meet him after so many years.

The same is true for Don Baldwin and Shecky. It was great to see them again after meeting them this year in Toronto as part of the Timbers contest to fly out with the team. I'd gotten my passport the day before I drove up from Pittsburgh, so being able to meet them almost didn't happen. I'm glad I did, because they, like so many others, made me feel so welcome in Portland. I worried about not being accepted; I never should have been afraid.

I wish I could tell you about my experiences during the game, but I can only vaguely remember them. They are flashes. Crouching down and covering my head when Dallas had a chance or the Timbers missed one of theirs. Screaming at the ref, for, well, pretty much everything. Clutching friends and strangers alike for every other touch of the ball.

The goals, though? I remember those. I remember being momentarily stunned and not sure if I should celebrate when Asprilla scored. I remember tackling anyone who was within arm's reach with a hug. I remember standing on a chair waving a flag. I remember tasting and breathing in the green and gold smoke. I remember singing.

FC Dallas got smashed by the Portland Timbers, 3-1. Dairon Asprilla scored one of the most insane goals I've ever seen. The Timbers have a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference final. And I was there. I was there for all of it.

I got to go home.

 

Part IV: Goodbye

This was always going to be the hardest part. After the match, I clung to the remaining hours with friends; sharing laughter, disbelief, and joy. I found myself back in Alex's apartment, watching Timbers highlights of all types: the lows of a crushing defeat to LA Galaxy and the joys of beating Seattle with goals from David Horst and some guy named Kris Boyd. Everyone else watched the Sporting Kansas City kicks from the spot again but I still refuse to watch that out of fear that the ball will go in one of these times. Instead, I pulled my hood over my head, stared at the ground, and enjoyed liquor straight from the bottle until it was over. Look, it made a lot more sense when I was doing it, alright? We also danced. To Drake. It was perfect.

These people are special. The moments I shared throughout the weekend and that night, up until the very end, were special. They were special because while they included soccer and the Portland Timbers, they also went beyond that. What started out as just me having an affinity for a soccer team has turned into friendships I never thought I'd have. Each of these moments makes the bond stronger.

As I shook hands and embraced people as they left, thanking them for their part in making my weekend one of the best of my life, I hoped I would see them all again. I couldn't wait.

 

But, I knew there was one more thing I had to do before I left. I had to see the park again.

I hadn't checked my phone for a while. I pulled it out just as I leaned against a pole and looked up at Providence Park. I looked down at my phone. I slid to the ground crying. I cried the best kind of tears. I had so many people sending their well wishes to me on my trip home and sharing their happiness that I was able to come out to the game. It was a Sally Field moment, if I'm honest. I felt special. I felt part of the family.

I had to get back on that plane, though. It was weird, feeling like I was going home and leaving home at the same time. I know this, though, deep in my heart. I'll be back to Portland one day. But, for now, I can finally say I understand that Viva Voce song.

 

I wanna be back in Rose City.

 

Thank you so much Portland, the Timbers, Timbers Army, East Coast Platoon,

Love,

Travis Hefner