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.

 

May 7^th, 2015

Harper’s Playground
Attn: Cody Goldberg
1477 NW Everett Street
Portland, OR 97209

Dear Cody,

On behalf of the 107 Independent Supporters Trust, I am pleased to offer our full support for the proposed Harper’s Playground at Couch Park.

As an organization whose mission is to promote playing the game of soccer in and around Portland, we understand the importance of providing all children with opportunities to play. We were proud to support the original Harper’s Playground at Arbor Lodge Park, which has become a destination playground for families across the city. It is a vital community space that is breaking down a major barrier to inclusion.

Bringing a fully inclusive playground to Couch Park will open new doors to the community in Northwest Portland, just a stone’s throw from the Timbers’ stadium at Providence Park and our own Fanladen location. The 107 Independent Supporters Trust welcomes this possibility, and looks forward to rallying the Timbers Army and Rose City Riveters behind it.

We are the Rose City, and we believe in community, inclusion, and play!

Sincerely,

Scott Van Swearingen
President, 107ist Board of Directors

Our annual homebrew competition is coming up here on 5/17. You don't want to miss out if you're a homebrewer. Here are the details if you don't already know.

Former board member Abram Goldman-Armstrong, and editor of Northwest Brewing News has this to say...

The Timbers Army Duane Graf Memorial Homebrew Competition is dedicated to the memory of an avid Timbers supporter and homebrewer. Duane Graf was a longtime member of the TA, and like most of us love his beer and yelling at referees. For Duane, mocking the incompetence of officials in the A-League, USL, and later MLS wasn't the mere arm-chair critiquing that most fans of the beautiful game partake in. Duane had actually gotten certified as a referee years ago, so he knew what he was talking about.

As a homebrewer Duane had a focus on German biers, and hosted a legendary Oktoberfest party. He also enjoyed helping pick apples for cider, and told of his "midnight gleaning" of fruit in North Portland with a panking pole and bicycle. He was vibrant and full of life, always friendly and upbeat, as a member of the old "Row N Infantry" in section 107, or sharing his homebrew at tailgates or on bustrips. He is greatly missed in the community, and we dedicate the Timbers Army homebrew competition, running since 2010 to his memory.

The Timbers have chartered a flight for the team the May 23 match against Toronto FC and have generously offered 18 spaces on that flight to 107ist members. Included with the trip is travel on the chartered team plane, transportation to and from the airport, a match ticket and transportation to and from the match. Those travelling are responsible for their own hotel accommodations. The team is in the process of acquiring a group rate at a downtown Toronto hotel. The schedule for the trip is:

Depart Portland: Thursday, May 21 at 12:00 p.m.

Match: Toronto v Portland, May 23 at 5:00 p.m. (EST)

Depart Toronto: Saturday May 23 at approximately 8:30 p.m.

The drawing is now closed. Winners will be notified on 5/12.

—by Nicole Barker

In an effort to continue to sell out away supporter sections across North America, here are some timely tips on how to snag a good rate on away day airfare.

Where should I start?

First and foremost, check flights on AlaskaAir.com. Not only does Alaska Air regularly offer lower-than-average airfare, but 107ist members also receive 10% off roundtrip airfare from PDX to away games. In addition, for every 50 Timbers Army members that travel on Alaska Airlines during the 2014/15 regular season, the 107ist will earn one travel certificate, while you continue to earn miles as usual. To ensure your travel will count, register your Alaska Air mileage plan member number. Plus, you get priority boarding if you wear your Timbers jersey on a flight departing from PDX. Also, on select Cascadia flights, Alaska Air’s subsidiary, Horizon Air, offers passengers complimentary regional wine or beer.

When should I aim to book my airfare?

Start keeping an eye on airfare about 75 days before game day, and aim to book your airfare 47 to 54 days in advance. If a low-cost airline, such as Spirit or Frontier, flies to your destination, you could hedge your bets on scoring a last-minute deal 10 to 15 days beforehand. For example, Frontier typically releases promo codes that offer approximately 10 to 23% off flights to select destinations two weeks in advance of a range of dates that typically span three to four weeks. While last-minute deals can be valuable, they can be also tricky given how quickly away match tickets can sell out.

What’s the best way to keep an eye on airfare?

Currently, Google Flights is reputed to be the fastest and most robust airfare search engine. It doesn’t offer price alert emails, however, so you will need to manually check rates.

You can also sign up for email airfare alerts for specific dates and destinations from sites such as AirfareWatchdog.com and Kayak.com. Be sure to cross-reference rates with other airfare booking sites and, most importantly, directly on the airline’s website.

Also check SouthwestAir.com, too, as their rates do not always appear in airfare search engine results. When rates are equal between an airfare search engine and an airline, it’s usually best to book directly with the airline.

Sign up to receive email newsletters from airlines that fly to away days you would like to attend.

Enable mobile notifications for airlines’ twitter accounts to receive an alert when a promo is announced.

Enable price-alert mobile notifications for apps from airfare search engines such as Kayak.

Try searching for flights in “incognito” mode in your web browser. There are reports of folks getting different rates when doing so, but that may be due to dynamic pricing. It doesn’t hurt to try.

What else can I do?

Consider signing up for frequent flier mile programs — even with airlines you haven’t flown. It doesn’t cost a dime to join them, and the airlines may try to lure you with promos targeted for members who yet haven’t flown with them. Of course you can also sign up for airline credit cards, a game that when played right — with diligence and organization — can really pay off.

If you have a reservation with Southwest Air or Alaska Air and you see the price drop on your flight segments, kindly call and request a refund for the difference. Both airlines have been honoring this, even for non-refundable reservations.

If you have a bunch of frequent flier miles with an airline that doesn’t fly to an away day you want to attend, check whether the airline is part of an airline alliance, such as OneWorld, that allows you to book equally valuable — or even more valuable — reward flights with partner airlines.

If you are traveling for work or pleasure and an away game is located at a feasible layover destination, you may be able to schedule a stopover (an extended layover) for free or for far cheaper than if you had booked a separate roundtrip ticket. Even if you don’t see options for a stopover online, call the airline and ask a booking agent. Beware that some airlines charge for booking over the phone, so you may just want to get the flight codes from the booking agent and then book online.

Be familiar with the fine print. Airfare search engines and airlines are all required to post the total cost of a reservation within the dollar amount listed — no more additional fees at check out. However, some airlines have easily avoidable fees that can feel unexpected when you’re uninformed.

If you can fit everything you need into a single carry-on bag, consider flying with a low-cost airline, such as Frontier or Spirit. These airlines have a la carte pricing, which means you pay for anything beyond a cup of water, one carry-on bag, and a seat they choose for you. They can save you a lot of money, though, if you aren’t particular and don’t need a bag of pretzels.

Don’t write off booking with a travel agent, so long as their services are complimentary. If anything goes awry with your reservation, they have more leverage than you do alone. In some cases, they may be able to get you a group rate for your crew or perks that would typically cost you more, such as assigned seating with your travel companions and checked baggage.

Lastly, don’t forget the tried-and-true tactics of searching for nearby arrival airports (especially in more densely populated destinations east of the Rockies), bundling your flights with a hotel room and/or rental car, and having flexible dates. Currently, it is purported that Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are the cheapest days to fly.

What if I see a great air rate but I am not yet sure whether I can attend the match?

If you see a great rate on Southwest Air, book it. You can cancel your reservation any time and receive a 100% credit to be used within a year, perhaps for another away match. No fees apply.

If you see a great air rate and can quickly figure out if you can attend the match or not, book it. Nearly all airlines offer 100% refunds with 24 hours of booking — no sob story needed. Just be sure to verify that the airline offers full refunds within one day of booking.

What if I acquire a last-minute match ticket but I don’t have a flight reservation?

Check out “GTFO,” an app that instantly displays the cheapest flights out of PDX for the next 24 hours.

Drive. Gas prices are forecasted to stay low this summer. You can research whether it’s cheaper to fly or drive with a price comparison calculator.

Volunteers for the 4/25 Children's Book Harvest

Where there is a need, the Timbers Army shows up. It was a full capacity of 32 volunteers who spent 4 hours on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to help clean and prepare nearly 1000 books that will be distributed to area children who have few or no books at home.  This is the final push for the Children's Book Bank Book Harvest to complete the task of making ready the 30,000+ donated books by April 30.

Help is still needed for the final day of work on Thursday, April 30 from 9 AM - 12 PM and 1 PM - 4 PM. Sign up for here for the Last Book Cleaning Events if you are available.

Moving the boxes of books onto the pallets for distribution will be May 13 and 14 from 9 AM to 4 PM. Please email Shawn Jaquiss at shawn@childrensbookbank.org if you can help during any of those hours.

Again, thank you to all the volunteers who made the day extraordinary and for supporting literacy in Portland.

Need a little lift after last night's match, a small reminder of why we stand for our Team, our Town, and one another? Come spend a night out with your fellow supporters THIS Thursday 4/30 and see a story with parallels to our own.  One of ascendancy born out of true devotion.

Tickets are still available here for $15.  All ages welcome. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event for $18.  Do not be late, though.  With the new announcement of a FREE authentic Swansea kit complements of the club with the price of every admission, tickets are now going fast.

• Reception with fundraiser craft beer and cider at 5 pm
  
• Film starts at 7 pm
• Live Q&A direct from the Swansea City AFC Board Room immediately following the film

Remember that all proceeds go to help fund the Jefferson HS field replacement project as well as the continued refurbishment of historic Cinema 21.

As promised a few weeks back, below is the long form review from our very own resident film critic extraordinaire and MC for the evening.

In the right setting, at the right time, a football team – a football CLUB – can mean much more than a collection of players trying to achieve positive results in sporting matches.


It can be an incarnation of the spirit of a place and a people, a celebration of a community, a distillation of collective identity, a sign post distinguishing one particular spot in the world from every other spot.


Wherever football thrives from the grassroots up, a message is borne in the communion of a team, a town and a tribe of supporters, a shout to the world that declares, 'We are here, this is who we are, and this is how we love and hate, succeed and suffer, celebrate and commiserate, strive and thrive.'


If you're a fan of the Portland Timbers, you're fortunate enough to live amongst a group of people who have felt the primal urge to pool their passion for a game, a team, and a town and turn it into a genuine collective that comes together to affirm Portland's singularity, to buoy the players, to benefit the populace at large, and to create a culture and atmosphere that turns every day into match day and every match day into an epic carnival.


Of course, Portland is hardly unique in being a place where football is an occasion for community-building.  All over the world, especially in towns where the passion for the game runs thick and deep, individuals come together to lift team, town, and terrace as one.

Some of these places are global icons of the sport:  Buenos Aires, Liverpool, Milan, Barcelona.


Others are best known to aficionados: Hoffenheim, Kiryat Shmona, Sunderland, and, yes, Cascadia.


But, as revealed in the sprightly, engaging, and sometimes moving documentary “Jack to a King,” there's a special spot for Swansea, Wales, in that list of places where a sport and a team become a living symbol of a community.


The film is subtitled “The Swansea Story,” and it is exactly that:  the story of a team, Swansea City FC, and of its town, and how the two entities have, in the very recent past, taken turns lifting one another, the fans saving the team from bankruptcy, the team rewarding the fans with historically high levels of achievement.  It's all true, but it has the feel-good romance of a Hollywood story – complete with comic villains, bumbling schemers, and hometown heroes.


“Jack to a King” brings viewers close in on a place which time, fashion, and, alas, football all seemed, at one sad point, to have forgotten.  Founded in 1912, the Swans have spent a century as one of the dominant teams in a region with a small but ardent football culture.  They'd long been a powerhouse in Wales, but they only reached the top-flight of English football for the first time in the 1980s, and their stay in those heady climes was brief.  From the mid-'80s on, as the team struggled on the field and the town faced economic hardships of its own, it seemed that Swansea City were fated to plummet further and further into lower-division football, and maybe out of the professional league ranks altogether.


You could argue that the nadir came in 2001, when Swansea were sold to a dodgy businessman for £1 – that is ONE POUND STERLING, or about $1.85 at the time.  Or you could argue that the nadir was just two years later, when Swansea took the field in the last game of the season needing a win to avoid being relegated into the Football Conference, where they were as likely to play matches against amateur teams as against other fallen league sides.  But whichever you choose as your low point, you'd have to admit that it was very, very low indeed.


But a remarkable thing happened.  When the situation was at its worst, the fans – the ordinary fans and some deep-pocketed angels among them – rallied to support the club and buy it outright from the various consortia that had attached themselves to it, barnacle-style.  Under new ownership with strong local ties, the Swans, miraculously, resurrected, rising steadily back up the ladder of professional league football, building themselves a new home stadium, and, wonder of wonders, entering the last match of the 2010-11 campaign with promotion to the Premiership, the world's richest footballing league, hanging beguilingly in the balance.


Director Marc Evans tells this wild rags-to-riches-to-rags-to-riches story with great intimacy, humanity, and humor.  We get a strong sense of the people of Swansea, particularly a handful of those who swore themselves to save the club whether through money, hard work, or, in the case of a charmingly silly pair of would-be tough guys, sinister tactics.  We hear from the players, the fans, and the owners – not only the heroes who rescued the club but even one of the carpetbaggers who nearly killed it.  And we journey along with all of them, through highs and lows, glories and perils, from the frightening moment when the club dangled over the trap door to oblivion all the way through to the otherworldly spectacle  of a caravan of buses headed to London to watch the team take a 90-minute chance at rising to the highest heights of the professional footballing pyramid.


“Jack to a King” is an exhilarating and inspiring portrait of how something as apparently meaningless as a sport can come to embody the very essence of a community.  In its depiction of fans coming together to save their team and a team responding by lifting its fans to new heights of achievement, it offers powerful evidence that, in certain places, at certain times, a football team can be, in the words of Barcelona FC's motto, “More than a club” – it can be, indeed, the very heart of a place and its people.


- Shawn Levy

—by Andrew Brawley

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

Out of the wilds comes another Popcast. DANCE!

Follow this link and download here

From Nick Brock, Blood Drive volunteer coordinator extraordinaire

The annual TA blood drive kicked off on a blustery April 10th. While volunteers continuously re-arranged the sign-in table to keep it from blowing away, Red Cross was hard at work getting the bloodmobile ready for the influx of donors. The day started slowly as most donors were taking a late lunch during their workday, but quickly picked up speed as the day wore on. Soon, our volunteers were assigning donors numbers to keep track of who was next in the donation queue.

All of our experience with line culture was obviously paying dividends. The waiting was taken in stride, as people stopped by with tasty baked goods, fluffy puppies and the occasional laughing baby. With donors munching on their free pizza slices (Thank you, 107IST partner HotLips Pizza!) and sporting their nifty complimentary pins, the table volunteers checked off the last donors of the night, folded up the table and put away the supplies that somehow miraculously had not blown down the street. All told, we wound up having 51 people attempt to donate, with 49 of them being successful. That is a potential of 147 lives saved, which is fantastic.

A very big thank you goes out to everyone who attempted to donate; Hot Lips pizza for donating pizza slices and soda; Holly Duthie for creating the awesome pins; the Timbers front office for supplying the space and restrooms; and, of course, to all our table and canteen volunteers who made this a very successful event. We would never be able to pull this off without all of your help, so a very sincere thank you to you all. We look forward to having another amazing blood drive in the future.