By registering to walk as part of the Timbers Army team for $19.78 (the year Jimmy joined the Timbers), you are not only supporting the Friends of Jimmy Conway's fundraising efforts for the Alzheimer's Association, you are also receiving a team-specific t-shirt (art pictured below). The walk is on September 13 at Portland International Raceway.

More about Jimmy Conway and the Friends of Jimmy Conway

Jimmy Conway is one of five members of the Timbers Ring of Honor. He was inducted for his 30 years of dedicated service to soccer in the Pacific Northwest.

His career started in Dublin, Ireland, and he became a distinguished player for Fulham FC, Manchester City, Portland Timbers, and the Republic of Ireland. After finishing his professional career, he joined a local amateur team, St Pat’s, which became Pierre’s SC, and played with distinction in the Oregon Adult Soccer Association.

His distinguished career in coaching included spells with Pacific University, Oregon State University, Portland Timbers, and the Oregon Youth Soccer Association, where he spent more than 28 years as state coach.

Few people have had such a positive effect on soccer in the Pacific Northwest, and odds are if you are involved with the game in any way, Jimmy contributed to the development of the organization you are a part of.

In late 2009, Jimmy was diagnosed with trauma-induced dementia, and since then has suffered the consequences of this deadly disease. He is currently hospitalized for treatment of his condition.

Each year since 2010, family and friends have joined together at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s to raise awareness and donations in Jimmy’s name (Friends of Jimmy Conway), to show our respect and gratitude for his selfless devotion to the sport of soccer, and to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s. Please join Jimmy’s wife, Noeleen, and friends in the soccer community on Sunday, September 13th, at P.I.R. to show our respect and gratitude for Jimmy’s contribution to soccer and to raise money to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s.

To register, click here.

Have questions about the Walk to End Alzheimer's: Friends of Jimmy Conway, Timbers Army Team? Contact 107 Independent Supporters Trust.

—by Matthew Lindley

Here in the North End, you are not black or white— you are green and gold.

You are not gay or straight — you are Timbers Army.

Those are the words TA board member Garrett Dittfurth used to end his amazing piece in 2013 about the tifo for International Day Against Homophobia. That tifo set into motion a partnership that saw its third chapter a few weekends ago: the Timbers Army and the Portland Pride Parade. As big a presence as we in the TA are at times, the Pride Parade is so much larger that even being in the pre-parade area is a truly humbling experience.

The day began with a contingent collecting flags from the cage at Providence Park as others began to gather at the staging area in the Park Blocks. The area was buzzing like the wristband line on Derby Day as folks collected and excitement rose about the day’s impending event. Finally, after watching the parade start for organizations such as the “Raging Grannies,” the Unitarian Church, and even Hot Lips Pizza (which brought about a fantastic chant of “WE EAT PIZZA”), the TA/Riveters group stepped off around 12:15 p.m.

For Marion Skinner, the lone drummer of the day, marching with the TA in the Pride Parade is a culmination of the acceptance she has felt all along. “Last year, I got divorced, and though I was really new to the 107ist, it was TA who was there to support me during rough times, whether it was by inviting me to participate in volunteer and social activities, or hooking me up with an extra bed for my kids,” said Skinner. “Be it your sexuality, religion, race, class, or position in life that sets you apart, the TA is there to accept you.”

This year’s organizer, Drew Picard, led everyone in Pride-themed versions of TA chants as we marched through the streets of the Rose City. Those lining the route were excited and amused by songs such as “Pride, Not Prejudice” (to the tune of “Onward, Rose City”) and “When you hear the cheers of the Timbers Army queers/We’ll be comin’ down the road.” Even the obligatory protestors — hey, there were three of them this year! — found themselves drowned out as we jumped, clapped, and sang for equality. There would be an occasional cheer when we came into view, pictures taken, and — most rewarding of all — a thank you.

“Having the 107ist represented in the parade is a reflection of this Portland community and soccer community understanding, and supporting each of our trials and successes regardless of gender/race/ethnicity/sexuality,” said Sunday White, TA and Thorns Capo, who marched up front with the Timbers Army banner. “It is a large group of the community stating that ‘HEY! WE ARE PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY TOO, AND WE LOVE YOU!’ ”

There are a lot of things the TA does to be proud of — charity, outreach, support, etc. — but to be part of the TA, standing beside the rest of the city we call home, and showing the world that we support love and equality above all else, I’m hard pressed to find a day where I’ve been more proud to call myself TA.

As much as I don’t care to participate in sequels, I felt the circumstances justified a rehash of this modern classic. (Seriously, I still get asked about it these days. Thanks Deadspin and Seattle PI!)

In our last edition, I proposed curbing your alcohol intake on the day before a mid-day match on Sunday. In theory, less hangovers would equate to a more lively crowd to cheer on the boys in green. I still support this idea, but the overall response leaves me to believe that the pure concept of Sober Saturday is not reasonable. Apparently Portland has a penchant for beer and/or spirits. Who knew?

(Full disclosure: even I didn’t observe the original Sober Saturday, as I was returning from vacation on the east coast that day, and sitting in FIRST CLASS! That’s too long of a flight to not partake in the offerings. Plus, did I mention I'm a baller?)

With the upcoming perfect storm of a Sunday 4pm kickoff, a nationally-televised match, projected triple-digit heat, and the crapheads from craptown crossing the Interstate Bridge and invading our ‘hood for a few hours, perhaps it’s time to discuss a more appropriate version of Sober Saturday, one that Portlanders can be more willing to adopt.

I now present a list (in no particular order) of beverages considered to be acceptable for the new iteration Sober Saturday.

Hefe Shandy

By Widmer Brothers

It’s Hefeweizen, which is beer. We like beer. It’s also Shandy, which is not beer. I’m no scientist, but this seems like a local craft beer with slightly less beer in it, therefore making it appropriate for this occasion.

Zima

By Coors Brewing

It’s clear, which probably means it’s better for you. Hell, you’re probably an idiot for NOT drinking it. Which might explain why Japan is not made of idiots, cuz that’s the only place you can get Zima these days. Book your flights today!

Jack and Water

A collaboration between Jack Daniel Distillery and Portland Water Bureau

In a nutshell (which, ironically, is what Jack Daniels tastes like), this is an American whiskey that’s “cut” with water. It’s pretty simple. If your pouring ratio is exactly 50/50, you could have two of these and feel as is you just had one full drink of Jack Daniels. Consult your nearest mathematician for details. For a unique spin on this classic, try it with fluoridated water, which can be obtained 10 miles in any direction outside of the city of Portland.

Iced Tea w/ Chamomile Liqueur

A collaboration between J. Witty Spirits and the Lipton Tea bags in your pantry

If you like to make your own iced tea in the summer, add a splash of this chamomile liqueur to give it just a minor kick. And I do mean minor. This liqueur is only 40 proof, which is the equivalent of a packet of Splenda sitting out for a decade to naturally become some form of alcohol. No joke, this is my summer jam. I used to get this stuff at New Deal Distillery, but I haven’t been there in a while, so I can’t say if they still carry it or not.

Note: the author does not necessarily endorse, nor was paid by, the products / makers mentioned above. However, the author will accept free products from said makers cuz diapers ain't cheap.

Double-note: please drink responsibly.

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

—by Fernando 'Nando' Machicado

There are a ton of people who are responsible for making the Timbers Army an amazing experience.  This year however marks the 15^th anniversary for Ken Puckett, VP of Facilities for the Timbers Front Office.

He has seen the TA grow from 12 people, to 150 people, to over 5,000. Hell, he even banned several of us back in the day.

Through all the conflicts he has been a proponent of the TA, he has provided access to the stadium, worked with our capos, drums and trumpets, tifo crew, travel liaisons etc.

I want to thank him on behalf of the board of directors and the TA as a whole, not only for the wonderful job he does for the Timber FO, but also for being a friend and a representative of the Club.

Without Ken Puckett and the facilities staff the Timbers Army would not be what it is today.

Thank you for all the years, beers and tears!

Fernando

PS - There are a ton of other folks in the front office that make it possible for the TA to be TA, I just wanted to note my appreciation to KP on his anniversary.

—by Garrett Dittfurth

*Yadda yadda this isn't the official statement of the board it's just one guy's opinion yadda yadda*

All kinds of things happened on June 28th. The Battle of Sullivan's Island, which was the first decisive victory of the Americans in the Revolutionary War. Labor Day was declared a national holiday. Seoul was captured by North Korean troops. Mike Tyson Chewed Evander Holyfield's ear off in an act of cannibalism. So basically it's a day that things happen. Oh yeah this year the Timbers play too. They play the Sounders. You've heard of them I'm sure. They're the fishing village to the north that wears nuclear goat urine stained uniforms. It's very appealing to those with a taste for the late 80s and early 90s fashion strategies. I mean I get it. It was the 80s. I had a ski jacket that looked like an experiment of J. Robert Oppenheimer. OK enough with the nostalgia.

It's going to be upwards of 100+ degrees on Sunday. At 4:00. Right when the match starts. Most of you are going to be in the sun for the majority of the match. They could move the match like sane people would but they would cause TV. So you're going to be in the sun at about 100 degrees for the majority of the time you're at the stadium. Here's some advice.

#1) Bring a water bottle. You can bring in an empty water bottle. There is a new water bottle filling station in the north end. If you don't want to wait in the line just go to the bathroom and fill it in the sink. Seriously every single one of you do this. It isn't worth passing out with heat stroke to drink a bunch of beer in the sun. You also probably don't want to pay $4 for a bottle of water, which is the insane price they charge. Or at least it was the last time I had to buy a bottle of water in 100+ degree heat at the stadium. Just bring an empty water bottle and fill it. Drink several of these during the match.

#2) Don't spend the entire day drinking. Seriously nobody wants to carry you up a flight of concrete stairs and miss the rest of the match because you thought mimosas and beer all morning were a wonderful combination. You'll feel like crap on Monday and someone else will have to miss the match to deal with your hot mess.

#3) Bring misters. You know...basically a water bottle with a squirt handle on it. Fill it up in the bathroom and then squirt everyone around you. Rinse and repeat. In 100+ degrees you'll be the hero and someone will probably buy you a beer...don't buy the $4 bottles of water for misting. Actually no I'll say it. Don't buy the $4 bottles of water. #1 they're terrible for the environment and #2 it's a goddamned ripoff to charge $4 for water. Bring your own bottle and refill it...many, many times.

#4) Dress cool. No I don't mean dress in pink neon (though that would be rad) dress cool. Wear shorts and short sleeves. Do not dress like Borat unless you want to be made fun of for the rest of your natural born life.

#5) Put on sunscreen. Am I your mom? Most of the north end will be under the sun for much of the match and all of the pre-match. Put the stuff on or you're going to be a potato chip by halftime.

Hey if they won't move the game time (and they won't because TV) we may as well enjoy it. Just enjoy it safely. We have people in the TA who will help you out if you're having distress but please please please don't do anything to cause that like drinking excessively. They want to watch the match too. If anyone in your section has serious issues like passing out please get an usher who can get the correct medical personnel to come help. It's going to be hot. Drink a lot of water and enjoy the match. Just take proper precautions and also rub some sticks together for the players on the pitch. That turf is 20 degrees hotter than it is in the stands. No joke. The Seattle match in 2012 with the huge tifo I spent the first half of it pulling down the rigging. I poured two bottles of water into my shoes because it was so hot on the turf and I was just pulling down ropes right under the wall by the TA.

This past weekend a group of 107ist members volunteered at the Metropolitan Family Service Community Cup Soccer Tournament and Resource Fair (formerly Soccer de Mayo), hosted at Davis Elementary. The Community Cup is an annual soccer tournament for elementary students in East Portland who participate in the SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) program through Metropolitan Family Service. The SUN program serves area kids who are homeless, living in poverty, and/or at risk of academic failure. The event featured matches between 12 different MFS SUN Community School coed teams; activities including T-shirt decorating, a photo booth, and a version of duck duck goose with sploosh balls; a delicious lunch for participants; and a community resource fair for families.

We pitched in on a fairly wide variety of volunteer tasks alongside neighborhood parents, teachers, and other community members. Some of us reffed matches, while others helped kids with spelling as they decorated their T-shirts, or prepped food, or checked in the teams and handed out extra shin guards and keeper gloves. The kids' energy and passion for soccer was infectious, both for their own game and the international game—between matches, kids from every group were writing Messi, Ronaldo, or Neymar or drawing the Barça or Real Madrid logo in fabric marker on their blank T-shirts. Who knows, maybe there was a future Timber or Thorn or another Rubio Rubin among the players who got to benefit from this great opportunity.

It was a pleasure to spend a sunny day running around, making art and eating burritos with so many young fans of the beautiful game. We hope to see you there when this event rolls around next May!

WHAT:  A 7 vs 7 Half Field Outdoor Soccer Tourney

WHEN:  Saturday August 1^st from 10am to 8pm

WHERE:  Buckman Field Park

WHO:  Room for 20 teams of 10 players each at a cost of $250/team or $25/player.  Players must be 16 yrs of age or older

WHY:  A Fun in the Sun Fundraiser for the weeknight schedule of Open Play sessions at Jefferson HS Field. PLUS, Who doesn’t like Donuts and Soccer?

BONUSES: (even if you aren't in the tourney)

• Expansive and shaded Beer Garden
  
• Koi Fusion Food Cart
  
• Sweet Limited Edition Tourney Specific Merch for sale
  
• Delicious Donuts provided free to players (courtesy of 107IST Partner business Coco Donuts)
  

REGISTER YOUR TEAM WITH THE TOURNEY REGISTRAR:  Justin Warber

FULL PAYMENT OF THE $250 REGISTRATION FEE SECURES YOUR TEAM'S SPOT.  You can get this done all at once with a team payment of $250 or you do it individually by getting 10 players to each pay $25 using the payment links generated for the team (email the registrar or your team manager if you don't have your payment link).

Or, if you do not have a team, register as an individual and we will work to place you on one.

---

THE DETAILS

Snappy Soft Tourney Tee

The TAFC is putting on our first ever outdoor tournament as a summer companion to our wildly successful Winter Classic Futsal Tourney.  Come out and enjoy a day in the sun at Buckman Field Park.  Each of the 4 divisions is limited to ONLY 4 TEAMS.  All teams will play within their division only. Each team will play 3 games.  Divisional Winners will be determined by point total.*

NEW TO THE 7 v 7 GAME?

The rules are very similar to Futsal; 2-25 min halves and a 5 min halftime, Place on the line kick in for throw in, No offside rule, No slide tackles, played with a standard outdoor ball and on a half size field with smaller goals than standard outdoor.

DIVISIONS (we must have 4 teams registered to launch each of these divisions)

Gold Open** – Skilled players; men or women

Green Open** – Regular players; men or women

Recreational Open** – (CANCELED - Lack of interest)

Women's World Cup Redux – Women players only; regular skill level and above

Recreational Coed*** – Occasional or new players

TO REGISTER  -  HARD DEADLINE 7/20

Registration is now open.  We are accepting Full Team Registrations AND Individual Registrations to a team. Email the tourney registrar Justin Warber to secure your spot.  He will take your information and will send you a link for payment. Existing TAFC teams will be given priority for the first 2 weeks of registration (until 6/12) but we WILL be accepting waitlist requests starting right now.

Come on out and join the fun.  Food Cart, Beer, Soccer, ....DOOOOOUGHNUTS.

What could be better?

* If we are unable to fill any particular division with 4 teams by the registration deadline of 7/20 we will contact the registered teams in that division to discuss a format solution, be that a modified format or refund.  

**Open Division teams have no gender limits on roster or field players

***Coed Division teams must have 4-6 women AND 4-6 men on their limited roster of 10 players and field 3-4 women AND 3-4 men at all times

—by Mike Coleman

While I serve on the 107ist board of directors, this is an editorial piece and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the Timbers Army or 107ist board as a whole.

“Real supporters support their team through thick and thin”

This is what Twitter user @andyjpdx tweeted at me in response to a discussion we were having on  the “Same as it ever was” banner.

And, I’ve had other conversations with my fellow TA about what is appropriate and not appropriate behavior for supporters. To some you can never hold a player accountable for poor performance. To some our coach is beyond reproach. To some the Timbers as a unit should never be questioned.

I’m not for one second trying to convince you, Constant Reader, how you should support the mighty PTFC. That is, and always should, be your choice.

But, for me, as I’ve said on Twitter, support does not equal blind allegiance.

I don’t support any particular player (although I do have ones that I really enjoy watching play the game, and I have others that consistently leave me shaking my head). I don’t support any particular coach. I don’t support a specific GM, owner, or other administrative team.

I support a club. To be more specific I support the Portland Timbers Football Club.

This is the distinction for me: Clubs persist. They stand after players and coaches have passed through their grounds, and they persist after owners have either made enough (or lost enough) to decide it’s time to sell.

In my world, I (and my fellow supporters) are the stewards of this club. We are the ones who will remain constant throughout all the turmoil. We are the ones the club should be striving to reward.

Rewards don’t have to be silverware (although, that’d be nice). Hell, it doesn’t even have to be a winning season.

To me, I want a team that fights. I want players who battle for each other. Who hustle, who play their hearts out every match. We have players like that.

We also have players who don’t hustle back on defense, who hang their heads when things get tough, and who aren’t playing up to the level they should be. Put them on the bench or ship them out.

We have a front office who I believe wants to win. They want the exact same things that the supporters want.

But, this is also a front office who feels it’s ok to routinely lash out at their fans by calling them “idiots”, “morons”, and (the latest) “Einstein”. A club who’s personnel decisions have often left us scratching our heads.

So, what’s my point?

My point is that calling out a player or a coach or an owner or a GM for underperforming doesn’t mean I don’t support my club.

In fact, it’s 180 degrees from that. It’s saying that this club matters, and performance matters. And, if there are pieces of this organization that are consistently failing (hint: there are), then get rid of them.

Let me repeat: I believe 100% wholeheartedly that the entirety of this club wants to win. They want it as much, if not more, than we the supporters do.

But . . .

Our run in MLS has been less than stellar. Our performance this year has been hit or miss. And, it’s not just this year. John Nyen over at The Axe PDX has done a great job of detailing not just our MLS shortcomings, but also the USL days as well (which are before my time).

To those who would say “this is all too soon”: Is it? We’re basically in the exact same place we were last season when we missed the playoffs - except we are once again without the best player on our team for at least one more game. And, it’s not just 2014 or 2015. It’s 2011, and 2012 (and a bunch of years in USL).

In the end, to me, support means I show up and give my all in the stadium. I do what I can to give my team an edge when they’re playing at home. I travel to let them know they’re not battling on the road alone. I create tifo. I spend an inordinate amount of my free time working to make sure we are the best supporters group in MLS.

None of this means I’m going to tolerate mediocrity. I’m not going to stand idly by when I see incompetence and (perhaps) apathy holding this club back from what it can achieve.

Because, when it’s all said and done, I’ll still be here when most (if not all) of the people associated with running or playing for this club today are long gone.

—by Matthew Lindley

Back in mid-April, while most of the TA’s attention was focused on the 400 strong that made their way to our boys’ first trip to “the House that Steinbrenner Built,” I was having a monumental away experience of my own.

It was midway through the offseason that I found out about the Inland Ultras, a regional supporters’ group based in the “Inland Empire” region of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. I was immediately intrigued because—being a Spokane native and a Washington State alumni—there was finally a group of fellow supporters in my old stomping grounds. Luckily for me, the stars aligned when a conference had me travelling to Pullman and Spokane the same weekend as the match with NYCFC. Through the magic of social media, I was able to contact Dan Scott and Peter Anderson, who organize the group, and they arranged a get-together in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, at Capone’s Bar and Grill.

Capone’s is one of a couple bars in the area that the Ultras use for their viewing parties, and I wasn’t the only one who traveled to watch our boys: Dan, along with his father and brother, drove the two hours from Moses Lake, Washington, while Peter, a current student at WSU, traveled in from his home in Moscow, Idaho.

Dan got the group started a few years back. Although never a Portland resident, he credits trips through the Portland area to run at cross-country events as the reason he became a Timbers supporter. He says seeing the passion of Timbers supporters around town—even back in the USL days—made him PTFC before he was ever able to see a match in person. His cohort Peter, on the other hand, is a Portland native with fond memories of coming to pre-MLS Timbers matches, but now finds himself in the distant confines of the Palouse.

So there we were, the five of us, outliers in a sea of NASCAR and NBA fans, but occasional odd looks from fellow patrons didn’t faze anyone — our boys in green were on. The modest turnout is par for the course: Dan and Peter say the most they’ve had at a watch party is eight or nine, but they have enough passion for the game and the Timbers to fill any room. Around the time that Dairon Asprilla scored his eventual game-winning goal, we realized we had a few more Timbers fans in our midst, and they joined us for the closing moments of the match. As the third whistle blew, I snapped up my newly acquired Inland Ultras scarf and thanked my hosts—not just for providing me a place to watch the boys while on the road, but for bringing a part of the culture I love so much to the area where I grew up.

I must admit that at times I have been skeptical of the regional groups, but these guys are just as PTFC as anyone back home in the Rose City. So if you should find yourself in Spokane, Pullman, Walla Walla, or anywhere else in the northeastern portion of Cascadia, be sure to hit up the Inland Ultras.

This piece does not necessarily reflect the official opinions or attitudes of the Timbers Army or 107 Independent Supporters Trust

Earlier today MLS released salary figures for all 20 MLS sides. Now, if you've heard Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson talk on the subject of salaries, you've heard him say that these numbers aren't the complete picture - but until MLS decides to be a bit more transparent on total compensation we'll have to take whatever data we can get as being gospel.

Additionally, Merritt has also repeatedly praised Timbers GM, Gavin Wilkinson, for his ability to work within the convoluted rules structure of MLS to pull together amazing deals. Again, until we see proof of those rules, we'll have to take his word for it.

When I saw these numbers I was curious if there was any parallel between spending and results. And, yes I realize we're less than a third of the way through the season. And, I also realize that some teams have had key (high priced) players battling injuries early in the season (I think we ALL realize this here in PDX).

But, that doesn't stop me from drawing ridiculous conclusions from the numbers.

The chart above shows the amount each team (reportedly) spent on salaries, as well as their points per game through this morning.

The third column is how many points per game they earn for every million they spend in salary (otherwise known in technical terms as "Bang for your Buck"). You can see something right away - the big spending teams are all at the bottom of the list using this metric. Both $eattle and NYRB are posting very respectable PPG numbers (1.9 and 1.7 respectively), but they are vastly overpaying for those results when compared to DC United and FC Dallas. Those teams get roughly 4x the value for their dollar vs $$FC and NYRB. But, hey, at least they're not NYFC and Toronto who have two of the three highest payrolls, and rank dead last in my Bang for your Buck metric.

The fourth column represents how much a team spends relative to the league average ($7.9M) Toronto spends about 2.6x the average on the high end, while Colorado spends less than half the league average. It appears, Colorado seems to be getting exactly what they paid for.

The final column looks at how a teams "Bang for the Buck" metric plays against the league average (.227 points per $M spent). This is really just a way to easily see how efficient teams are with their spending. NYCFC is only about 19% efficient whereas DC United and FC Dallas are killing the efficiency game.

So, where does that leave the might PTFC (besides in 9th place). Our team spends about 75% of the league average. So, it sounds like there is at least some truth to complaints the we're not willing to open up the pocketbook. Merritt has said recently that if the right opportunity came along, Gavin could spend the money. Clearly that hasn't happened yet. As for efficiency/Bang for the Buck, They are near the bottom 3rd of the league (12th out of 20 teams with an efficiency rating of 88%).

So, clearly you can't draw any sort of conclusion with respect to spending and results. Teams like DCU are competing with $$FC, while NYCFC, with the 3rd highest payroll have the worst PPG. One conclusion someone could reach, however, is that overspending doesn't really buy you all that much - the top 6 spending teams are also the lowest in terms of Bang for your Buck.