We encourage Op-Eds at all times. Our latest come from Robert Cross. He is the the head of American Outlaws PDX. What's your take? His take is below in bold.

"We are the Portland, The Portland Timbers, We are mental, And we are green, We are the greatest, Football supporters, That the world has ever seen."

The Timbers Army has been the home to a supporters culture unlike any other in the history of soccer in North America. That culture has been cultivated, fostered, and grown through the years. All behind the passion and spirit of thousands of individuals. Each of whom has subscribed to the ethos of city, community, and club, or some variation there above.

Everyone who enters the North End on match day understands that they will be standing, chanting, and cheering for the Green & Gold for ninety plus minutes. Or they should ... but lately, when I look to my left or look to my right from the heart of 103, I see far too many statutes, selfie takers, and tourists. These people plod through a match with staid enthusiasm on a regular basis. You may observe them mouthing chants, going through the motions, or worse, standing idle. I want all of them to go away. Starting right now, and do me the favor of never come back.

It takes many years to build a culture and far less time for it to slip away. This is a beautiful thing we have and I don't want to lose it.

To that end, I challenge my fellow members of the Timbers Army to bring their best Saturday night. If you find yourself standing next to an aforementioned statue, politely encourage them to chant and sing. Poke them to see if they are still alive. If that doesn't work, please feel free to tell them to take a hike and go home. I believe the Trailblazers are still playing. They might be better off in a sleepy atmosphere, one that is ripe with balloon clappers and confetti falling from the sky.

I'd rather burn, destroy, wreck, and kill.

Sincerely, with a heart filled with compassion and love,

Robert W. Cross

RCTID

—by Matthew Lindley

Photos by Ray Terrill

Friday March 27th

An early start got us through the fishing village and the border without experiencing much traffic. We checked into the hotel and took the long stroll from downtown to the West End for the Cider Riot tasting at Bestie, a great little sausage shop in the middle of Chinatown. The place was filled with both Vancouver and Portland fans alike, a nice foreshadowing of the weekend’s festivities.

From there we moved to Doolin’s, the home bar of the Southsiders (the largest of the Whitecaps supporters groups), for the annual TA and Southsider meet-up. It was a rowdy get together as always, with pleasantries, drinks, and eventually chants being shared back and forth. By the end of the evening, everyone was warmed up and ready to completely despise each other for 90 minutes the next day.

Saturday March 28th

The morning began at Tim Hortons and news of the Southsiders scarf kerfuffle with the FO. I was legitimately curious if the consensus among the TA would be to cheer anyway, or join Vancouver in their silent protest. Fortunately, the resolution struck a few hours later would put all that to rest.

Photo Credit: Ray Terrill

We made our way to the Railway Club, the TA’s de-facto home bar in Vancouver, to pick up our tickets and pre-funk ahead of our en masse walk to the venue. Marching to a stadium is a rarity for the TA these days, but we never disappoint when we get the chance.

As we made our way to our section, Adam Kwarasey was already warming up on the pitch. He obliged the TA’s request to “Give us a wave,” and before long the rest of the team took the pitch. Oddly enough, Vancouver’s supporters’ sections are reserved rather than GA, which means they, and the rest of the stadium, are far from full until right before opening kick. By the time Vancouver fans reached their seats, the TA was already whipped up into an absolute frenzy. Derby day at its finest.

The match was frustrating on many levels. The Timbers backline and midfield looked great, but our boys couldn’t seem to accomplish anything in the final third. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps seemed to be having a contest for who could perform the better Shakespearean death scene — the best by far being Kendall Watson’s five-step barrel roll over the ad boards that earned Alvas Powell an inexplicable yellow card. It’s pretty bad when even Vancouver fans are apologizing to you after the match for the actions of their players. It’s a weird juxtaposition when you get along so well with the fans of a “friendly rival” while hating their players as much as Sigi hates it when Shari’s runs out of pies.

Near the end of the second half, with the score tied 1-1 and Caps GK David Ousted

Photo Credit: Ray Terrill

absolutely standing on his head, tensions were high. Around the 75th minute or so, a group of Whitecaps “fans” began starting trouble with the amassed TA. At one point, among other things, beer was thrown at the Army. Stadium security did an excellent job diffusing the situation and removing the offenders. From what we heard later, this wasn’t the first time that opposing supporters have had issue this season. It’s too bad really, because the three supporters groups (Southsiders, Curva Collective, and Rain City Brigade) are completely fantastic and a proper representation of soccer culture in Vancouver.

In the 90th minute, our defense (well, our center backs to be more exact), which had been stellar, got caught looking and Robert Earnshaw broke all of our hearts, and a frustrating match came to an even more infuriating end.

From there, we all somberly traveled back to the Railway in the hopes that loud music and strong drink would wash away the pain of our first-ever loss in “Our House.” Waiting for us there were many of our friends from the Southsiders, and frustrations eventually gave way to just a plain old celebration of Cascadian soccer and pride.

The night was kicked off by Greenhorn, a TA-themed country band consisting of members of Green Flag, Stars of Cascadia, and yours truly. After our rousing offering of twang, Green Flag took the stage to get things properly rowdy. The McGillicuddys followed, and the dance floor was not empty once the rest of the evening.

Finally, still smarting from the painful loss, we found the only true remedy for our post-match blues: a large poutine with two kinds of meat on top from La Belle Patate! I promise you, there are few types of heartbreak that can’t be cured by this wonderful concoction.

Oddly enough, the sadness of the loss can almost be forgotten because it was drowned out by the amazing weekend with amazing people from both cities.

Be aware: Vancouver comes to Portland the first weekend in May. We will hate the living bejeezus out of their team for 90 minutes, but we owe their supporters one hell of a good time in the Rose City.

Late in January, the Booked Library and Literary Outreach Project challenged to the Timbers Army to collect 107 new and used soccer books for children who don't have access to many books at home. Partnering with the Children's Book Bank and tasked with at relatively short deadline of March 15, the challenge laid out was absolutely crushed by the TA faithful. On March 31, the Booked committee was proud to give the Children's Book Bank 156 soccer and 69 non-soccer books for a total of 255 books!

Key to the success of this book drive was the challenge laid forth by one of the newest Timbers Army regional subgroups, The Timbers Army - 1st Montana Volunteer Infantry, to all of the other regional subgroups to donate 5 or more books to the drive, a challenge that those groups embraced wholeheartedly. Throughout February and March, books poured in from all over the country with local participation keeping pace, filling the donation box on match days during pre-season and the first two home matches of the 2015 season.

Other highlights include special regional group sticker sales organized by Scott Brown of the East Coast Platoon and Aaron Flynn of the Lone Star Brigade, which together netted over $300 in cash, still to be used to increase the final tally of books.

Each and every book donation was important to the drive and the Booked Library Committee is beyond grateful to the many people who helped support literacy in our community.

Shawn Jaquiss (farthest right) of the Children's Book Bank, accepting the donation of books from the Booked team (kegs not included).

Booked! drive facts:

• The donation of 225 books means 30-40 children will be able to select up 5-10 soccer books each that they will get to keep. 
• In low income neighborhoods the ratio of books to children is one book for every 300 children.
• This year, about 15,000 books will be donated, cleaned and delivered to area children by the Children's Book Bank. 
• In the nearly 8 years the Children's Book Bank has existed, about 30,000 youth have received over 450,000 books.
• The most commonly donated books in the Timbers Army Booked Drive was "Winners Never Quit" by Mia Hamm (28) followed by "The Kicks: Saving the Team" by Alex Morgan (20) and "Keeper" by Mal Peet (17). 
• The Booked! team will be teaming up with the Children's Book Bank for the final book cleaning project of this year at Marshall High School campus on Saturday, April 25th from 1:00-4:00 PM. An eventbrite will be posted soon for you to register. 

—by Matthew Lindley

In 2009, when it was announced that Vancouver would join Portland in receiving new MLS franchises for the 2011 season, renovations began on then 26 year old BC Place to convert it from an air-supported dome to a stadium with the world’s largest retractable roof and 2^nd largest video screen. As construction continued, the Whitecaps played the majority of their inaugural season at Empire Field, a temporary stadium built for the ‘Caps and the CFL’s BC Lions. Finally, on Oct 2^nd, 2011, their new home was finally opened for business, their maiden opponent…the Portland Timbers

In true TA fashion, a large contingent made the trip up, using various modes of transportation. The first order of business being a 4pm Friday show by The McGillicuddy’s at The Railway Club

Richard Sheals - We arrived at the train depot to meet the other people who wanted to travel by train. Everyone was excited and anxious to get going, and once on the train, everything seemed to a little more calm. People were moving about and chatting about the season and memories of other away trips. When stopped in Seattle, several of us enjoyed an extended single finger salute to the smelly fishing village up north. Since this was our first Timbers Away trip into Canada, it was special,

Paul Atkinson - This was my first away trip with the TA. My wife joined me on the bus and we had a brilliant time singing and sipping our way into Canadia. Our House and Build a Bonfire stick in my head from that drive. We checked into our hotel room and joined the crowd at the Railway Club. The music was grand and the company even better; we even made friends I still occasionally chat with among the Southsiders.

Abram Goldman-Armstrong (As originally published in the Whipsaw v2i4) - Approaching Seattle a reader board proclaimed that I-405 was shut. That meant all traffic was re-routed through the city center, and with no passenger I was doomed to the slow lane. Finally I got through Seattle, sped through the Skagit Valley and arrived at customs in Blaine. It wasn’t busy, so I got my hopes up, but sadly it was trainee day, and the woman dealing with me was so incompetent she charged me for someone else’s import duty. Finally I off load the cask at 4.45 find parking and head to the Railway. The bar is already filling with TA. I have Cascadian flags and scarves to transfer to Vancouver fans, the McGillicuddys are rocking the house. Victoria based, but Timbers Army. We own the pub. A few Southsiders are interspersed like islands in a sea of green and gold.

Matchday morning, the TA on tour met up at a local bar The Winking Judge for breakfast and to receive match tickets and a surprise before the inevitable march to the stadium.

Mitch Gray - Looking around the bar, the place was packed and it was around 9am. That's a guess on the time. While we were eating, the Portland Timbers run by the bar for their morning prematch jog. The speed of the TA to get out on the sidewalk and start the chant of PT clap clap FC clap clap was amazing. The look on the Timber players face was surprise. Here they are jogging down the road early in the morning and the TA is right there supporting them.

Atkinson - Including Captain Jack (who was suspended for that match, I think). We cheered them on their way, and they seemed pleased -- I've never been clear whether they knew where to find us or were surprised. Doesn't matter, though.

Goldman-Armstrong- The place is a madhouse as 500 Timbers Army eventually descend upon it in preparation for the walk to BC Place. Flags are distributed and we file down the road, chanting and singing, much to the surprise of onlookers.

Finally, the TA arrives at BC Place.

Sheals - Once inside, we were greeted with warm friendly Canadians welcoming us to BC place, the second event held (BC Lions CFL Game the night before) since the roof was replaced.

Goldman-Armstrong - The Timbers Army section is up at the top of the bottom level, with a roof overhead helping amplify our noise. In a classy touch, the Whitecaps FO has made 500 of the commemorative flags with green trim for us, with the rest of the stadium getting the same flag with blue trim.

Richard Clark – When the team came onto the field to head to the locker rooms, almost every single one of the players and staff had their phones out taking pictures of The Army.

Sheals - There were flags, banners, and scarves waving, and singing and laughing and chanting, while the boys were warming up. Once the Pre-Game festivities were underway, there were flags and a field display and fireworks, and the official opening of the retractable roof. The retractable roof, which cost millions to put in place took about 20 minutes to open or close. We started chanting "This Is Boring...Clap...Clap...ClapClapClap"

Atkinson - The locals seemed quite pleased with it. We just wanted to get to the football. The seats we were in were all new, hollow-core resin seats. Someone figured out that an open-hand slap made a powerful drumming sound. While we were in a "no drums" section of the stadium, we still managed to make a heck of a lot of noise.

Goldman-Armstrong - The TA is spread out very wide, so chants are easily picked up, and resound nicely throughout the stadium. Our unity and cohesion are the best I’ve heard on any away day this year. Maybe there is something to these early kick-off matches.

In the 25^th minute, Diego Chara capitalizes on a mistake by Alain Rochat. Chara drives the counterattack and finds Kenny Cooper at the top of the box. After that…a chant is born.

Atkinson - That goal. Kenny F**king Cooper with a blast from the top corner of the box for the only score of the game.

Goldman-Armstrong - Cooper’s goal is textbook perfect, and a bit of redemption for his lackluster season. I forget when it started but our clear domination in the stands inspires someone to start “Our House” by Madness as “Our House in the Middle of BC.” This sparks the ire of the families around us in a way even “Portland Boys” did not.

Clark - I thought John Spencer was going to soil himself when Coop hit that rocket from the edge of the box

Sheals - After Kenny Cooper scored the goal, the "Our House" chant was started, but didn't get really loud until the end of the game, when the Timbers had won.

With the match won, Timbers and Whitecaps supporters headed out into the Vancouver afternoon and new traditions and friendships were born at Doolin’s, the home pub of the Southsiders, the main Whitecaps SG.

Scott Jeffries - . I walked in wearing full Timbers gear to a sea of white and blue, a bit nervous about having a confrontation with a drunk and angry Vancouverite. As I walked in the door, someone in full Whitecaps regalia saw me and started walking toward me. "Here we go," I thought. He said, "I just want to thank you for coming. It's a real pleasure having you today." Canada!

Before 2011, I went to Vancouver every 3 or 4 years. It's just far enough away that you have to make plans, you can't just go on a lark. Since then I've not missed a year up there. I once flew there the day of the game after playing a wedding in Las Vegas. I love Vancouver as a city, I love their fans, and I honestly don't even hate the team. They're like our polite little brother, and we both share a greater hatred of Seattle.

Here's a little YouTube video of the trip as seen through the eye of Mike Coleman: 

Huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this story. If you have a TA moment that you’d like to share your memories of, let me know at matthewlindley1@gmail.com

—by Matthew Lindley

Normally, you don’t see this many hugs at a punk show, but then again the Season Kickoff show isn’t your usual punk show—it’s the loudest, rockinest first day back at school anyone ever had. Greetings and pleasantries were exchanged by some for the first time this year as a new season’s promise lay just a day away. There was also an added air of relief with the assurance that there would actually be a match the next day.

Green Flag split the musical duties with PDX Punk Rock Collective (a punk cover group that also features Green Flag bassist Paul Regan and drummer Mack Hagin), trading off short, four- to five-song sets punctuated by raffle giveaways.

Photo Credit: Ray Terrill

GF’s four sets, whether planned this way or not, seemed specific and thematic in their construction. The opening set was a warm-up, full of go-to crowd pleasers such as a cover of Hall and Oates’ “Rich Girl,” while the second was a more politically tinged set, which was fitting in light of the recent MLS CBA agreement. This was highlighted by “Up with Portland,” a “Timberized” version of Stray Dogs’ “Up the Union,” which lead singer Corey MacMillan dedicated to the Timbers players.

The mood decidedly changed the next time Green Flag took to the stage with a third set that was more of a pep rally, including “This Is Portland,” the title track from the band’s new digital EP and which absolutely needs to be introduced as a chant in the North End. Finally, the night was finished off by a “party set” that featured a cover of Viva Voce’s “Rose City” and Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades” rewritten as “King of Clubs.”

Photo Credit: Ray Terrill

Green Flag’s tag team partner of sorts, PPRC, added the perfect seasoning to keep the crowd moving, filling their respective sets with classic punk covers by everyone from Husker Du to Stiff Little Fingers, presented in their more conventional form, of course. All told, Timbers-themed or not, more than 40 classic punk tunes were unleashed on The High Water Mark lounge and its green-and-gold-clad patrons.

There are lots of ways to celebrate a new season, and many rituals folks rely on to start the new year off right—but you’d really be hard pressed to find a better way than enjoying a loud, driving call to action with a few of your closest friends from the North End.

 

On Sunday the 15th the Mighty PTFC take on the LA Glitter Kids at Providence Park.

For the match on Sunday, please bring WHITE streamers. Bring enough for friends. Break them down into 25-35’ lengths, and when we sing about the land of the free, and the home of the Timbers, let 'em fly.

But, remember:

• It is not acceptable to throw streamers during the run of play
• It is NEVER acceptable to throw ANYTHING onto the field of play; don't throw shit on the pitch
• Throw your streams up in the air, not out. (Newsflash: This will keep them from landing on the pitch)
• After the match, grab a handful of streamers, and throw them away. Providence Park staff would appreciate the assist.

“…This is OUR day!”

Thursday, April 30

5:00 PM - Reception including local craft beers and cider

7:00 PM - Film followed by Q&A w/special guests direct from Swansea

Tickets - $15 online or $18 at the door

In a rainy and sometimes overlooked west coast city, a professional soccer team is threatened with extinction, but the locals, in an upswelling born of love of team, town, and one another, manage not only to save it but to rise along with it to unprecedented glories.

The story of the Portland Timbers, right? Well, yes, in fact, it is – but not in this particular case.

It is, rather, the story of Swansea City Association Football Club as told in “Jack to a King,” an uplifting documentary about a century-old team which nearly disappeared from England's professional leagues in 2003 but which managed to survive, thrive, and ascend to the lofty climes of the Premier League and the plush confines of a new stadium.

The film tells a story of civic pride, sporting fever, and unlikely but unforgettable heroes and villains.  The 107ist has arranged for the US premiere to be held at Portland's historic Cinema 21 on April 30, a special event to raise funds for the new all weather track and field at Jefferson High School and to assist with the continued renovation of the beloved and nationally respected independent theater.

A reception will be held from 5pm to 7pm in the Cinema 21 Lobby - 616 NW 21^st Ave (just a short walk from Providence Park) with a variety of local craft brews and cider on sale.  All proceeds from beer and cider to be donated to finishing the funding at Jefferson.

Film will begin at 7pm and a Q&A will follow with special guests skyped in direct from the Swansea AFC Board room in Swansea City to the theater.

Don’t miss what may be your only chance to see this wonderful film, take part in a unique event, and raise funds in the spirit of home town pride that will be the touch stone for the evening.

All around the world, the greatest expression of hometown pride can be found in the passion of a people for their football club, and whether you're a fan or player from Jefferson High, a Timbers or Thorns supporter, or a member of the Jack Army, as Swansea's fans are known, this rare evening will make that point vividly clear.

Tickets on sale now!

Vancouver is truly an away day to be experienced and your opportunity to be a part of the legend is right around the corner! We're happy to announce that tickets are now on sale for the March 28th Vancouver away match!

Again, we are keeping things simple and only offering a match ticket. You will need to arrange your own transportation and accommodations.

Tickets are $32 for 107ist members, $35 for non-members. 

107ist members should have received an email containing the discount code. If you are a member and did not receive the email last week, please email awaytravel@107ist.org

Purchase your ticket here

—by Matthew Lindley

Editor's Note: This is the first in what we hope will be a series of articles that take a look at some of the Timbers Army's long-standing traditions. If there is a tradition or ritual you're curious to learn more about, drop me a line (mike.coleman@107ist.org), and let me know.

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As Timbers fans feverishly count down to the kickoff of the 2015 season (fingers crossed), this Friday night brings another grand tradition in TA lore: the Season Opener Kickoff Show. For the better part of the last decade, the season has had its unofficial start with a punk concert that also serves as a tifo fundraiser for the upcoming season.

Drawing on the longstanding relationship between punk/oi/hardcore music and soccer culture, the event has showcased great local and regional bands such as Rum Rebellion, Shock Troops, The McGillicuddys from Victoria, BC, and the TA’s own resident punk band, Green Flag.

Joaquin “Wookie” Gutierrez, a longtime TA member active in Portland’s punk scene, was the organizer for the show for much of its history. According to Wookie, there was only one rule: any band that played had to have at least one Timbers supporter in the group. “We had big plans about bringing in touring bands,” Wookie says, “but in the end, we decided to keep it TA.”

Before the days of social media, this was often the first chance many TA would get to see each other before the season got underway, which made the annual get-together an integral part of any Timbers season. “We had people coming that didn’t like punk, and they still came,” Wookie added, “just for the show and just to hang out with each other.”

“It’s the classic pep rally,” according to Paul Regan, bass player for Green Flag. “The only thing that’s missing is burning someone in effigy.” But the show is much more than that: it serves as a fundraiser for tifo for the upcoming season, as it has since the first show back at the Bitter End. Before advent of No Pity Originals and other money-generating avenues, much of the display fund for the season came from this show.

This year’s show is organized by Green Flag guitar player, Lexi Stern, who is also a TA drummer at matches and an integral part of the TA flag crew. Stern mentioned that, while everyone is very excited to see each other and kick off the season, the money raised (nearly $2000 last year) goes a long way toward providing flags and tifo for the North End.

This year’s show features Green Flag and PDX Punk Collective. As always, in addition to music the show will feature a raffle with TA-related prizes as well as prizes from many local businesses. All proceeds from the raffle and the door will go to the TA tifo fund.

It goes down at High Water Mark Lounge, 6800 NE MLK, this Friday at 9 p.m. The cover charge is $5. And for those worried about the potential work stoppage, Stern promises this year’s show will go on “whether there is a match the next night or not.”

From Stephan Lewis

It was a great weekend to walk through the neighborhood getting our hands dirty with Friends of Trees this past Saturday, 2/21. Friends of Trees has sent on a big thank you to the 107IST for helping them find happy homes for 325 trees between the Portland and Vancouver plantings with our Portland contingent spanning 6 crews. They use us as an example of how groups can help out when they need volunteers and, once again, we didn't let them down.

While it’s always great to see some of the usual suspects out volunteering, it was really nice to see some familiar faces that don’t typically join us for these types of events. Maybe we should warn people that this type of work is addictive as there were guarantees made about seeing them at future events. Feel free to blame Kyle.

University of Portland students made up the other large group of volunteers, and even though they had more trained crew leaders than we did, our seasoned FoT volunteers are clearly better at planting trees. Those of you that attended the AGM may remember the high density of our members in this area of North Portland. As a result, this may be the largest number of 107IST members that have ever walked to this type of event. It was awesome. The U of P kids seemed nice and all, but we may need to do this one again just to prove our superiority.