Each year we have a fan vote to see who ends up as Supporters Player of the Year. This player can be anyone on the team. There is no criteria. This player can be whomever you feel is the best player, most embedded in the community, or you feel who wears the badge with pride. Here's the list of past winners.

2011: Troy Perkins
2012: Diego Chara
2013: Will Johnson
2014: Diego Valeri

We are happy to report we have our first repeat winner. The man with the million dollar smile himself.

With 30.4% of the vote Diego Chara is your 2015 Supporters Player of the Year. Congratulations, Diego!

Authored by: Steph Nova (@stefnoves)

Steph offers up her opinions on chanting in the North End. This editorial represents the views of Steph Nova, and may or may not represent the opinion of the Timbers Army, the 107ist, or its board of directors.

“Hey, Portland Timbers- We salute you!”

This is what the players hear as they come onto the pitch, the din of the Timbers Army behind them, singing in full voice. But I’ve noticed something a bit different lately- people are ad-libbing a bit. And it’s kind of distressing.

The idea of the Timbers Army, as I’ve been told, is that we’re here to support PTFC. Support generally means positive, enthusiastic cheering for the good guys in green, but recently I’ve noticed a lot more negativity from the North End. I dunno if it’s new people coming in, folks getting mad at the lackluster results the Timbers have provided all season, or just a misunderstanding of the game. The loudest chants coming from us this season seem to be “Fuck you, Ref!”, really any line with profanity in it, and hollering “dodgy keeper!” at fellas who are keeping embarrassingly clean sheets against PTFC.

The most obnoxious one in my view, though- how we’re starting matches off without “We salute you.” The rise of people chanting “Hey, Portland Timbers- Fuck Seattle!” is shameful as hell. People are chanting that when we're up against any team, not just SSFC and it’s weird. Sure, there’s a few “Fuck [Rival team of the day here]”, but way too many people are hollering about Seattle every chance they get.

Not only are these people proving the ECS right when they claim that the Timbers Army is “obsessed” with them, but it takes away encouragement for the guys we’re ostensibly there for- and that’s totally against the point of what we’re supposed to do.

Think about what kind of supporters you want to be for this final home match (…of the regular season, at least). Sure, there’s no “right” way to support, but do you really want to be the jerk yelling about our rivals when we could be celebrating another season with our beloved, mighty PTFC?

In the wake of the historic win in Carson, I suggested (with the help of Twitter) a list of 10 of the best matches in the Timbers' MLS era. Almost 300 people weighed in on the list, and the results are in.

One thing is clear, beating Seattle in any form is always a favorite. Nearly half of you chose beating Seattle in the playoffs as your top choice, with an almost even split between beating them up at Seahawks Stadium or down here on our home pitch. The 3rd place finisher was the meltdown in Tukwila this year, and ~4% of the votes went to the leading write in candidate: Adi's Chainsaw Massacre/Timbers Wonderland (6/28/15) - truth be told this was one I should have included because the result was OUTSTANDING, the tifo was amazing, and the energy that day was off the charts.

For a full list of how the voting went, check the graphic below.

Thanks to those of you who chose to weigh in with your comments here, on Twitter, and Facebook.

—by Mike Coleman

Sunday was amazing.

I will admit I didn’t think there was any way we could win that match. I was prepared for another drubbing. And, going into the half ONLY down by 1, I felt at least we wouldn’t be humiliated.

And then the team clicked. All that potential turned into production. Adi nets another brace, and does his best Hakeem Olajuwon imitation holding up two defenders before flicking to Wallace who feeds Chara for a header (WHO knew he had hops). Nagbe dances past Ricketts, and Urruti drills one home after Villfaña makes the LA defense look silly. What a night.

In any case, as I sit here watching the highlights for the umpteenth time, I ask myself - where does this performance rate in Timbers MLS history.

Here’s my top 10 list after some Twitter convo this AM (presented in chronological order)

What's your favorite MLS-era Timbers match?

Let us know via our survey below.

(Survey is closed, but results can be found here.)

 A Dream Comes true: MLS Home Opener (4/11/2011)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWfOH55MOuQ

What’s there to say about this one. It was a dream that had been brewing for many years, and the culmination of a lot of hard work by folks who were here LONG before me (thanks to them, btw).

Timbers Beat Down Club Beckham 3-0 (8/3/2011)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqytxRzCyvc

Earlier in the year LA had embarrassed us 3-0 down in Carson, but at home it was a different story. The Timbers hammered LA at home in a mid-week match that nobody saw coming.

Captain Jack hammers one home to win the Cascadia Cup (10/21/2012)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0XRIJjsCno

In a season with very little to be excited about, Captain Jack drilled home the lone goal against the Whitecaps to lock up the Cascadia Cup. Our house in the middle of BC, indeed

Signature win and delicious BBQ (4/27/13)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNf2-VgpmEo

An epic back and forth affair that might of been the first time we all thought that the team really was good, and 2013 was going to be something special.

AJB Scores at the death to turn back LA (7/13/13) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Mw_sbZdYoU

Just when you think it’s over, it’s not. AJB scores a goal that ignites a celebration so loud it’s reportedly heard over a mile away.

First time for 5 (sure, it was Chivas, doesn’t mean it wasn’t fun) (10/26/13)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivPdxs24iZA

In a game that sealed the #1 seed in the Western Conference the Timbers put up 5 goals for the first time in MLS. Diego Valeri was magnificent, and it really was The Diego Valeri Show that night in Carson.

Welcome to YOUR Nightmare! (11/2/2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVy1uP1dLzM

What needs to be said. First ever MLS playoff match, and it’s in Seattle, and we win? And we got a great new chant to mock their lame ass tifo?

Timbers send Seattle packing (11/8/2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aSc8WwS3-U

Maybe you preferred the return leg where we sent Seattle home from the playoffs, we wouldn’t blame you if you did. Pretty sweet watching that merry band of clowns leave our stadium as we celebrated.

The Meltdown in Tukwila (6/16/2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2h_vPQ-bdM

What more could you have asked for? Timbers win and Seattle completely loses their minds. This is truly one where people who weren’t even in the state will say they were at the match. Not to mention it kicked off a long slide for $$FC - the gift that kept on giving

HOLY LEAPING DIEGO - did that just happen? (10/18/2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIdKrApcC68

Forget that LA Galaxy hand only lost once at home this season, that they’d only given up 11 goals in 16 home games. Disregard Gio, Gerrard, and Keane. Pay no attention to the fact the Timbers had never beaten them at home. AND WITNESS DIEGO CHARA SCORING WITH HIS HEAD - along with four other quality goals.

That's my Top 10, what's your favorite MLS-era match?

http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/timbersarmy/best-timbers-moments/

This is an opinion piece and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the 107ist or the Timbers Army.

The following is a letter Timbers Army season ticket holder, Erica Goode, sent to the Portland Timbers front office. It is reprinted here with her permission.

The opinions she expresses are her own, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the 107ist board of directors.

“Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.” – Joe Biden

[A statement from the 107ist board of directors.]

For the past 5 years, PTFC has offered a Trimet pass for the day of each match free of charge with season tickets. This pass was a great benefit to the community.

•  It cut down on traffic in an already congested area. Having that already-paid-for pass burning a hole in your pocket made it that much easier to hop on a bus or train to get to a match.
•  It cut down on the number of people parking in a neighborhood with limited parking.
• It likely prevented any number of DUI incidents by easily inclining many fans to use a free ride before a couple of beers at the match rather than making the choice after, with their vehicle already away from home.
• It encouraged public transit usage, reducing the carbon footprint of every PTFC season ticket holder.

The Timbers are in a unique situation with historic Providence Park. They have been given keys to a stadium situated in the heart of downtown Portland in a location that money simply cannot buy.

Indeed, Providence Park is one of the few stadiums in North America without ANY parking belonging to the stadium itself. In 2011, PTFC recognized this situation and responded with innovative and unique programs from bike parking to arrangements with local garages to the free transit pass.

Are we as Timbers supporters owed a free ride to the game? No. Are we responsible for the decisions we make on game day about getting behind the wheel? Certainly. But it was nice to see our club making that smart investment in the safety and enjoyment of our community. It was a brilliant thing to do and demonstrated their commitment in making the Goose Hollow neighborhood a vibrant, pleasant, safe place to be.

It was part of what made PTFC and Portland better—a cut above every other team and city. Seeing PTFC slash that Trimet pass in the season ticket package was hugely disappointing.

They approached the board about it in the months leading up to renewals and we voiced our objection to no avail. They state that they are still “subsidizing” Trimet passes by offering them at half price, but it is hard to imagine that this is anything more than PTFC simply passing on the discounted price they get from Trimet. So, at no cost to the club how can it be reasonably described as a subsidy provided by the club? Indeed, a significant savings has been achieved by PTFC in cutting the expense of providing these discounted tickets for free as in previous years (a true subsidy).

This decision is especially puzzling when PTFC is by every metric financially healthy. Indeed Forbes magazine ranked PTFC the 4th most valuable franchise in the league with an estimated value of $185 million (remember Merritt Paulson paid $35 million for the franchise) and yearly profits of $4 million.

All of this comes at the same time PTFC has signed a sponsorship deal with Uber to provide discounted rides to and from the games. Setting aside the questionable business practices of this company, it is exceedingly difficult to believe that the deal with Uber had no influence or was not dependent on the decision to cut the budget for the Trimet passes.

From our perspective the club has traded an investment in our community and a benefit for its most loyal customers for yet another “partnership” designed to benefit the already healthy bottom line of PTFC. This is at best completely tone deaf, and at worst downright shady. Trading the expense to Trimet for the income from Uber demonstrates a change in values that is sincerely disheartening for people who love this club and this city.

—by Scott Jeffries

 This past Saturday, a group of 107ist members went to the Veterans Affairs Community Living Center in Vancouver, USA to begin improving their courtyard garden. Over the course of three hours, an army of nine people pulled a year's worth of weeds, hacking away at blackberry vines, digging up dandelions, and clearing out patches of thistle. The project was the beginning of a larger effort to make the garden a more attractive and accessible space with the ultimate intent of building some raised garden beds for the wheelchair-bound residents to use next spring. We had the privilege of being joined by Timber Jim, whose love of gardening knows no bounds. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning than sitting in the sunshine while Jim tells the story of the first time he brought a chainsaw to Civic Stadium. As an added bonus, the courtyard looks out on the Clark College soccer field, allowing the residents to sit and take in the beautiful game.

On a personal note, I work in public health and am a student at OHSU. I've ridden the 8 past the VA hospital for the past two years and any Daily Show devotee will remember Jon Stewart's crusade to improve the state of the VA. Without going too far into a political rant, the state of our health care system is appalling, especially so for veterans who get nowhere near the funding or services they need after putting their lives on the line. This is not to malign the good people at the VA but rather a government that cares more about starting wars than taking care of its soldiers when they're over.

Before we started, we were instructed not to touch the watermelon and tomatoes that had been planted by a resident and were surrounded by weeds. As we finished up, an elderly man in a wheelchair came by, and seeing the now-pristine dirt, exclaimed, "Now that you've done that, I'm going to have to find some winter crops to plant!" It was the gardener himself, and seeing and hearing his joy was a great reward. And next year, he'll be able to tend his own garden.

—by Garrett Dittfurth

This summer the Timbers announced they had acquired Lucas Melano from Argentina club Lanus. While the terms of the deal were not officially announced, it was widely reported the Timbers paid a $5 million transfer fee and signed Melano to a 4 year guarantee contract fee paying him just over $1 million a year; making him the 2^nd highest paid player on the Timbers and about the 20^th in the league.

The disparity in those two numbers jumped out at me: a $5 million transfer fee for a non-U.S. National team star is basically unprecedented in this league. A $1 million a year salary is not.

It was a historic move by the Timbers that in many ways represented a shift in how MLS does business for one very important reason: the Timbers expect to recoup their $5 million invesement.

A Little MLS History

MLS (and it’s member franchises) has long been a league very reluctant to play in the high stakes world of big money buying and selling players we see in international football.  There was a good reason for this: for much of MLS existence the financial wherewithal was simply not there to pay millions in transfer fees on top of the salary requirements that accompany such players.

So MLS has shopped in the “free transfer” section of the world football market. Most of the big names all came to MLS “on a free” (meaning they were out of contract and no compensation was paid to a club for their rights) : David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Carlos Valderamma, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Rafa Marquez, Frank Lampard, Andres Pirlo, Steven Gerrard and Didier Drogba.

Still the best hair to ever play in MLS.

Of course these big names command(ed) big salaries and MLS and it’s clubs have paid these salaries with no hope of recovering that cost in the world transfer market as these players are coming stateside for one last swansong prior to retirement. They are/were willing to accept these sunken costs in the form of high salaries in hope these big names would pay off in the ticketing and marketing columns of the club spreadsheet.

Even when clubs were willing to invest in buying players, the league office has famously stepped in and blocked clubs from doing so when they didn’t like the terms of the deal or precedent it would have set.

So $5 million for a relative unknown forward from Argentina represents a rather radical shift away from MLS traditional business model.

A New Approach

In fact in the history of MLS, only one non-U.S. national team player has commanded more than Lucas Melano: Jermaine Defoe.  When MLS has paid transfer fees for foreign players it has been for relatively known quantities (Robbie Keane, Obafemi Maertins etc) and generally in the $1 to $3 million range.

Here are the top 10 transfer fees paid by MLS/member clubs:

So why does all this matter and why should you care as a Timbers fan?

You should care for three reasons:

1) It means this club has money. Despite the recent high profile acquisition of aging Euro-stars (Lampard, Pirlo, Gerard) I believe MLS willingness to allow the Timbers to spend $5 million dollars on a “flyer” speaks volumes to the financial health of both this club and the league.

2) The Timbers invested in potential (and future profit) in lieu of current skills. Lucas Melano is NOT a $5 million a year striker. Do not confuse transfer market investment in a player’s potential with his current worth as a player. The players making $4 million a year or more in MLS are:   No sane Timbers fan will argue that right now Lucas Melano is in the same company as Keane, Martins or Giovinco. The Timbers have pegged Melano’s skill as worth $1 million a year which puts him in the same company as Federico Higuain, Innocent Emeghara, Liam Ridgewell, Kennedy Igboananike and Octavio Rivero.

3) The Timbers will want a return on their investment so don’t get too used to the player in a Timbers jersey if he starts banging in the goals for the boys in Green and Gold.

Only time will tell whether Lucas Melano will be a success in MLS.   If he has a great year or two in a Timbers jersey Merritt Paulson, the team and the league will profit handsomely when some European club comes calling. If that happens, the Melano signing may very well mark the moment MLS moved from a “retirement league” to a “sell on” one.

—by Andrew Brawley