Welcome back to This Week in Timbers Army Football Club news, brought to you by the fine folks at 107ist. It’s been a while since we completed the Fall 2011 campaign that saw the promotion of one club to the top division, a championship match berth for another, and some amazing soccer played by all. As the calendar turns to spring, the TAFC clubs are beginning their Spring season in the Greater Portland Soccer District leagues. There’s been a couple of new additions and a rebranding of another club for those keeping track at home.

For those not aware, the 107ist created the Timbers Army Football Club network of clubs to give Timbers Army members the opportunity to play on affiliated clubs with fellow soccer fans in an organized fashion. The collective also gives teams the opportunity to spread the word about Portland Timbers soccer and the collective work of the Timbers Army in supporting their team, their community, and those in need.  The 107ist provides financial and organizational support, taking much of the organizational headaches away from teams and their managers. Currently, there are nine member clubs participating in various leagues about Portland, with more clubs scheduled to join soon.

TAFC will have two clubs participating in the GPSD Division 1, FC Dynamo and FC Portlandia. FC Dynamo started playing in 1996, and has undergone various name changes, league updates, and other modifications over the years, but since 2008 has been a staple of the top division. They won the title in Spring 2011, and soon after hoisting the title, they saw an opportunity to join TAFC as a member club.  Joining them is FC Portlandia, one of the original members of the TAFC Umbrella. Formed in 2009 and starting play in the Winter Term, the boys in purple started in the lower divisions of play but won promotion to Division 1 with their inspired play during the Fall 2011 term.

GPSD Division 4, the lowest level of open play soccer within their framework, will have four TAFC clubs participating in the Spring 2012 session: Cascade Rangers FC, Northern Alliance FC, North End United and Rose City Athletic.  Cascade Rangers FC is the new brand of the original Timbers Army Football Club that started play in 2008 as the inaugural club. Cascade Rangers FC won the first ever North End Cup against the team that would eventually form North End United, who started play in the Spring of 2010. North End United completed an undefeated season in the Fall 2011 campaign, qualifying for the division final after playing their final regular season match in less than ideal conditions. Unfortunately, some unfortunate breaks and questionable officiating pushed their opponent to the win and promotion, but NEU hopes this season will continue their recent success.

Both Cascade Rangers FC and North End United have been consistent members of GPSD Division 4, and they were joined in the spring of 2011 by Rose City Athletic.  Like NEU and CRFC, RCA has a wide mix of players in terms of age and skill level, but they set the standard in fashion when it comes to kits.  Matches between these clubs have been marked with some spirited play, but always within the vein of friendly respectful play amongst supporters.  The three teams will be joined by one of the newest TAFC club, Northern Alliance FC. Northern Alliance FC is the combination of two indoor clubs formed in Vancouver,WA comprised of Timbers Army members that live on the other side of the Columbia River.  Needless to say, there should be a huge amount of derby matches happening between these four clubs in the coming months.

Another team was formed in time for the Spring Term for some of the more senior members that still want to get out on the pitch from time to time, knees and backs willing. Old Growth FC will begin play in the Over 40 Division 2 league, and is made up of former members of Cascade Rangers FC, Deacon Blue (a long time GPSD member with many TA members involved) along with other TA members that wanted to return to the game after a long hiatus. Old Growth FC also has a female player on its roster, giving anyone over the age of 40 the chance to come out and kick the ball around without breaking anything. Having begun practicing in October, OGFC hopes to be competitive amongst the 16 clubs in their grouping.

TAFC isn’t focused strictly on the outdoor game as there are two affiliated futsal clubs that play regularly, 101st FC and Coat? FC. The eventual goal of TAFC is to have affiliated clubs at every level and league that will give fans of all ages, genders and playing ability the chance to play competitive soccer regularly. Each week, we will do our best to highlight the week’s matches featuring all TAFC clubs in a fun and entertaining manner.  Because of the Portland Timbers game schedule, many league matches within GPSD will be played on weeknights between now and the end of June when the Spring season is done.

For those fans interested in seeing the action up close, four of the TAFC teams will be in action on April 4 at the Delta Park Soccer Complex in North Portland, with all matches starting at 6:45 PM Portland time. North End United will play Northern Alliance FC in their first match ever, while Rose City Athletic will play May Day, a long time member of GPSD soccer that has Timbers Army members on their roster. Old Growth FC will also play its first match ever against Optimators FC. Because of the Wednesday match dates for many of the TAFC teams, our weekly recap will run sometime on Thursdays once all game action has been completed and results are submitted by each team manager. Thanks for reading, and up the TAFC!

via KATU News:

Detectives from the Portland Police Bureau are seeking information on a deadly hit-and-run that occurred around 11:20 pm on Saturday night on West Burnside Street near SW Tichner Drive.

Police have received tips suggesting a late-90's-to-early-2000's model Honda Accord was involved. Also, the occupants of the vehicle were described as two women in their late 20's with blonde hair, wearing Timbers baseball caps, and were allegedly seen arguing in a QFC parking lot afterward.

Anyone with information that can help in the case is asked to call Officer Erik Koppang at (503) 545-3849 or contact him via email.

NOTE: we are posting this as a means to assist the community in bringing the assailant(s) to justice. We recognize this incident occurred not long after a Timbers match on Saturday night, and also acknowledge that these two events being so close together (via proximity in both time and distance) could be purely coincidental. As this is a very serious matter, we expect all commentors below to conduct themselves accordingly.

—by Chris Rifer

Let’s level with ourselves for a moment here: the Timbers were the vastly inferior side on Saturday night. Sure, it can be said that the Timbers could have won. It cannot be said, however, that the Timbers should have won.

While RSL were dominant, the Timbers were opportunistic. The chances started early, as Jorge Perlaza made a nice run through the defense and received a good ball from Rodney Wallace, only to have an aggressive Nick Rimando snuff out the chance.

In the 22^nd minute, Eric Alexander—playing perhaps his best half as a Timber—found space in the middle of the RSL defense and blasted a shot from distance that Rimando did well to push over the bar.

Portland would come close again ten minutes later, as Diego Chara—playing on the right wing—perfectly played Perlaza in behind the defense. Perlaza touched the ball around an oncoming Rimando, but sent his effort from a tough angle wide of the near post.

While the highlights may have gone to the Timbers in the first 30 minutes, the match was going to RSL. Their efforts would pay off in the 38^th minute. After Alvaro Saborio played Ned Grabavoy in behind a ball-watching Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Rodney Wallace came over to cover the runner. He made a mess of things, though, by missing the ball with his body but slapping it to the ground with his flailing right arm.[1] The referee rightly awarded a penalty,[2] which Saborio calmly slotted home.

The stunned Timbers could only muster one more chance before halftime; another great shot from distance by Alexander that forced Rimando into another impressive diving save.

Rimando couldn’t muster his heroics coming out of the half, however. After Darlington Nagbe made a fool of Kyle Beckerman, he took a couple touches into the center of the field and unleashed a low shot from 20 yards that nestled itself inside the near post. It was an impressive piece of individual play that showed a flash of what Nagbe has to offer.

That flash became a flare in the 65^th minute, as Nagbe received a clever ball from Alexander, took one touch, and volleyed the ball beyond the outstretched arm of Rimando and into the far upper corner. Absolutely unbelievable stuff from Nagbe.

RSL, however, would return to their front foot, pinning the Timbers in their own end for long stretches of the next 25 plus minutes.

Portland had a couple chances to put the match in the books—namely a Franck Songo’o header off of a corner that Rimando saved and an Eric Brunner far post touch that sailed off target—but the Timbers couldn’t manage to put the Claret and Cobalt on ice. RSL would make Portland pay.

In the 89^th minute, after a bad James Marcelin giveaway in the Timbers defending third, Jonny Steele[3] and Will Johnson played a nice give-and-go into the box before Steele slotted the ball through the legs of Jean-Baptiste and into the far corner.

If the equalizer was a disappointment, the winner was a disaster. In the third minute of stoppage time, Fabian Espindola lifted the ball from the far corner of the box to Beckerman, who volleyed it first time from the top of the box and into the net.

After a dominant—at times breathtaking—performance from Real Salt Lake, the late comeback delivered a painful piece of justice to the suddenly reeling Timbers. The Claret and Cobalt earned a deserved three points and Portland let a game they could steal slip through their fingers.

Match Observations

• Possession statistics can be deceptive. Saturday’s possession stats are not. RSL had the ball 61% of the time and completed 83% of their passes, for a total of 540 completions. This wasn’t Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers kicking the ball around their own end for 50 minutes, folks, it was Kyle Beckerman and Javi Morales surgically slicing through the Timbers defense. It is a miracle—a miracle—Portland didn’t concede more than one before the 89^th minute.
• I’m not usually one to Monday morning quarterback tactical decisions, but John Spencer was sorely outcoached on Saturday. While Spencer was wise to start Nagbe in the center of the pitch, it was a mistake to start Perlaza up top and Chara out wide. Chara had a couple nice moments on the wing, but was largely anonymous. Perlaza was dazzling until he got the ball, at which point he became maddening. More importantly, Chara’s vacation from the center of the field could not have come at a worse time. Beckerman and Morales[4] are the best central midfield in the MLS by quite a margin. Without Chara in center midfield to do his sidling and launch the attack, RSL dominated the midfield and dictated the game.
• On the bright side, Saturday was about as opportunistic as the Timbers have ever been. Despite RSL’s dominance in possession, Portland managed 15 shots, 8 of which were on frame.
• The fullback situation is getting desperate.
• The third kits look amazing.

Timbers Grades

Troy Perkins, 7 Kept the Timbers afloat through large stretches of the match. Not much he could have done on any of the concessions. Maybe could have made a play on the third, but it would have been a heroic effort. Very good day for Troy Perkins under all sorts of pressure.

Rodney Wallace, 3 Obviously the handball in the box was awful, but at least he committed it trying to clean up AJB’s mistake. He made plenty of his own. Rod was repeatedly victimized by whoever he was facing, be it Luis Gil, Paulo, or Espindola.

Eric Brunner, 4.5 I feel bad for Eric. He was the only competent individual on a wretched backline. At times he tried to do a little too much and would find himself out of position chasing a hopeless challenge, but it’s hard to blame him considering the utter incompetence around him.[5]

Andrew Jean-Baptiste, 2.5 AJB and I had one thing in common last night: we were both awestruck by Javi Morales. The rookie has lots of potential, but he has some growing to do. To be fair, though, he’s having way more asked of him than he should at this point.

Lovel Palmer, 3 I just wish there were options.

Eric Alexander, 7 Had a brilliant first half and a good second half. If anything good happened for Portland offensively, it involved Eric, Darlington, or both. If he could find this sort of form consistently, John Spencer would have a tough decision on his hands.

Jack Jewsbury, 3 Wretched night for Jack in his defensive midfield role. Javi Morales absolutely had his way with him.

Darlington Nagbe, 9 Not just his best night as a Timber, but the best night any player has had in a Timbers shirt in the last two years. His two goals were pure, unmitigated brilliance. Aside from that, he was fantastic as an attacking midfielder, repeatedly finding soft spots in the RSL defense. There were a few times he made Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers look silly. That’s saying something.

Diego Chara, 4 All alone on the wing. When he was on the right, everything was moving up the left. His absence was felt in the center.

Jorge Perlaza, 2.5 With Nagbe becoming a star, Perlaza is about to find himself marginalized. Has to learn to hit the target. Was set up nicely on two occasions—in part due to his fantastic movement—but made a mess of things with the ball at his feet.

Kris Boyd, 4 This was one of those days where Boyd didn’t have much in the way of service. Without service, Boyd doesn’t deliver.

Franck Songo’o, 6 Denied twice by Rimando in fine fashion; once on the corner and another on a very impressive volley from the top of the box. Wasn’t quite as active on the wing as he was last week, but he will be a 90 minute guy as soon as he sheds a couple pounds.

James Marcelin, 3 Unusually brutal stuff from Marcelin. His bad giveaway directly led to the equalizer. It wasn’t wrong of Spenny to bring Marcelin on, but it was wrong to bring him on for Chara. Should have brought Boyd off and gone to a 4-1-4-1 with Nagbe up top, Songo’o and Alexander on the wings, and Jack, Diego, and James clogging the middle. The more I think about it, the less explicable this substitution becomes.

Onward, Rose City!

—by Andrew Brawley

After months of weighing the pros and cons of such an announcement, it is with heavy heart that I announce the following:

I am a Sounders fan.

I realize this may come as a shock. However, these feelings have been eating away at me for some time, and I just can’t torture myself anymore. I also recognize that posting this news online on April Fools Day may bring the validity of this announcement into question. However, I cannot delay my feelings, so this falls under the category of pure coincidence. I assure you, this is no joke.

My constant barrage of mocking Sounders fans in the form of lame memes and labeling them as MLS’s version of Juggalos is just my way of lashing out at the world. In truth, I love wearing face paint. I love a chant library that consists of only a few key songs, and especially one where the loudest, most successful chants use only one-to-two words repeatedly. I want to live in a world where fans of all other MLS teams hate me out of sheer jealousy of the fact that my team has innovative kit colors, celebrity ownership, and a marching band.

I realize this will put me at odds with my now former Timbers Army comrades. All I ask is to be allowed to roam the streets of Portland with my new collection of Sounders kits without incident.

To my new friends, the long-time Sounders faithful, please accept this sincerest apology for my past statements. I’d like to start with a clean slate as I join your ranks.

Sincerely,

Andrew Brawley

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

Present your 2012 107ist card at the door for 2 for the price of 1 admission to the Spring Beer and Wine Fest. Spring Beer and Wine Fest organizer Steve Woolard has generously donated a booth to the 107ist, so a limited selection of merchandise will be available Friday, and Saturday until 3pm. Timbers themed beers will be poured at the adjacent booth, and there are 40 breweries and cideries pouring at the event Don’t have tickets to the match against Chivas USA on Saturday? The Spring Beer and Wine Fest will be showing the match on TV. Enter to win a signed Timbers Jersey or a Timbers Army gift pack at http://www.springbeerfest.com/

Minors are permitted at the event, when accompanied by a parent until 7pm both days.

As you probably know, we who already bleed Rose City Red are also scheduled to bleed for a worthy cause: The Timbers Army Blood Drive.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Red Cross is SO impressed with our turnout that they are sending a SECOND BLOODMOBILE, opening up new time slots! See the updated link below. The blood drive will now run from 2 - 7:30 pm on Friday, April 6th, at the 18th St plaza outside of Jeld-Wen Field.

No matter the season, the American Red Cross is always in need of blood donations:

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
• One donation can help save the lives of up to three people.

If you are healthy, at least 17 years old, and weigh at least 110 pounds, you are probably eligible to donate (if you are a minor you'll need your parent's or guardian's permission to donate). Whether you're an experienced donor or you'll be donating for the first time, you can find out more about the donation process here. You can read more specifics about eligibility requirements here.

If you are interested in donating, send an email to: TABloodDrive@gmail.com with the following information:

First/Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Preferred Time 1/Preferred Time 2

We will try and give everyone their 1st preferred slot, but it's possible someone may beat you to it. Please wait for a confirmation email with your scheduled time.

We also need volunteers for various things, so if you're interested in volunteering in addition/instead of donating, drop a message to the same address above with whatever times you're available and the best way to contact you.

What about tattoos? If I have ink can I still donate?

Since this was mentioned in a discussion thread, we'll mention it here as well: If you have tattoos, yes, you can donate, as long as you got inked at a licensed tattoo parlor. If you got your tattoo in Oregon you are in luck, as Oregon licenses and regulates tattoo parlors. If you got your tattoo in another state, you will have to check to see if that state regulates tattoo parlors. If you got your tattoo in another state that does not regulate tattoo parlors, you can donate as long as it has been at least 12 months since you got tattooed. For more information, you can contact the Red Cross, or read more about eligibility requirements and blood donation here.

Any other questions, feel free to ask.

Donations and prizes for donors include:

(1) FREE PIZZA AND SODA to all who donate!

(2) A drawing from among all donors for TWO PAIRS OF TA TICKETS to the 4/7 match against Chivas USA the following day!

(3) Bonus: if we fill up the slots for the second van Sheba promises to bake homemade cookies for donors and volunteers!

I know I am, I'm sure I am, Rose City Til I Die. In the meantime, we can give life by giving blood. We invite you to do the same.

Thanks to the support of 107IST members, one of last year’s scholarship recipients and his teammates had an unforgettable experience: Issa Hassan and two friends got to stand in the Timbers Army for the season opener on March 12th.

Through 107IST financial support for community outreach, we were able to donate four TA season opener tickets to the Portland non-profit organization 4 Worlds United Soccer Alliance, or 4WUSA (on Facebook). The 107IST is committed to supporting the work of groups like 4WUSA, whose mission is “to enhance the lives of fourth world children by providing opportunities that improve their soccer skills, build confidence, support their education, and unite communities and cultures.” 4WUSA has worked with fourth world children at Kateri Park, giving them both financial and volunteer support for youth soccer, and the 107IST has worked with the group in a variety of ways, offering assistance in the past.

This year, thanks to the support of the 107IST and the work of 4WUSA, three young men got the chance to attend the Timbers home opener on 3/12/12. One of the youth is well known to the 107IST: Gisele Currier Memorial Scholarship Fund recipient Issa Hassan attended the match, along with his friends "Mudy" Mohamud Abdikadir and Nick Osborn. Here's a bit about the boys who attended the match, courtesy of Mark Verna with 4WUSA and the 107IST (from L to right, they are Nick, Mudy, and Issa):

Issa Hassan was awarded the first scholarship from the Gisele Currier Memorial Fund in order to help facilitate his participation in the Olympic Development Program. Issa’s mother had 11 children, six of whom survived the exodus from war torn Somalia and the subsequent 8 years in a refugee camp in Kenya and immigration to the United States. Issa is now the oldest sibling in a single parent home; he is essentially the man of the house in addition to his studies at Cleveland High School. As a result of the monetary assistance from the 107IST, Issa was able to afford travel and registration for the ODP Regional Holdover Camp in California, which is essentially a tryout zone for the US National Team program.

“Mudy” is officially Mohamud Abdikadir. Mudy was born in northern Kenya and came to the country about 8 years ago at the age of 8. He was the first player to be on an official team roster from the Bantu community and the community that is now the core of the 4WUSA service area. He was on a U10 team at Southeast Soccer Club with Mark Verna. Mark says that Mudy is a great kid and a fantastic ballplayer. He has been hit with bad luck injuries (concussions) so he hasn't had the chance to keep up with Issa's meteoric rise but he recently started to show his talents at the Cleveland HS Varsity level and according to Mark his skills are increasing with every session on his club team with ESUFC. Mudy is a starter on that squad and they play at a very high level. In fact that team, with the talents of Issa and Mudy along, went all the way to National semi finals last year at the U16 level.

Nick Osborne is a longtime teammate and friend of Issa and Mudy. Nick has been playing soccer with both boys at East Side United since their U12 year (4 years now), and his family has been constantly at the forefront of providing all sorts of support for the boys from rides to training, games and tournaments to helping out with homework at school. The boys have all become very close friends over the years. Nick was on the roster as a CHS Varsity alternate last fall and plays on the ESUFC Pumas with Issa and Mudy.

All three boys were chaperoned by 4WUSA secretary Jim Whyte, who wanted everyone to know how much the boys enjoyed the match. Jim writes: “We all had a great time and what a stellar way to start the season, with a good strong win. The boys' eyes lit up many times as the chants rolled out…. One of the most interesting things for them was listening to the Timbers Army and listening to the stadium chant, cheer and support our Timbers. Some of the chants had Mudy and Issa looking at me to validate the vocabulary they heard. It's a big person's world there. No high school chants. But it also got them listening to the chants. I got them moving left and right with the Army, though they were a bit hesitant and shy, as teenagers. Funny how an old man has to teach these young whippersnappers how to lighten up.”

The experience of being in the Timbers Army with the constant singing made quite an impression. Says Jim: “The feel of the game, the sounds of the stands and the constant support for the Timbers was a big treat for them. It was fun to be with them and watch them watch the game, watch them watch the fans and take in the experience. They were quiet, but their eyes would light up, smiles rolled across their mouth many times just because of the Army, not to mention the game. It was funny to see Issa point out ‘See that guy down there? He's teaching them to sing.’ I had to point out that (A) there were many guys standing all along the railing and (B) everyone knew the songs, these guys were coordinating the songs.”

Jim noted that, as much as the TA made an impression, the boys definitely enjoyed the play on the pitch as well: “As for the game, they were quite impressed by Kalif Alhassan's play. There was a lot of discussion about whether his goal was intentional or accidental, but the move he put on after Jewsbury gave him the ball was quite a discussion point too. They joked about which one had the same moves to upstage Alhassan. Typical kids, trying to top the pros. Alhassan was the most talked about player at the game and on the way home. Funny how he was Player of the Week.”

Jim and the boys wanted to be sure to express their thanks for the chance to attend the match: it was a blast for them all.

If you’d like to know more about 4 Worlds United Soccer Alliance, visit their Facebook page here. And we wish Nick, Mudy, and Issa all the best as they continue to develop as soccer players, currently with East Side United, a Portland Timbers Elite Youth Club. Who knows? If you were near them in the stands that night, you just might have been sitting next to a future homegrown Timbers player.

—by Chris Rifer

If John Spencer thought the questions about whether his side could perform on the road were annoying before, he’ll find them downright oppressive now.

With everything set up for the Timbers to take their first road win of 2012, Portland laid an absolute egg in Foxborough. The match started—and ended—in the first minute, as Chris Tierney casually sent a ball from the left wing into the box, where Saer Sene casually nodded it in.

After a week of emphasis on starting strong, the Timbers did exactly the opposite, practically escorting New England to the opener and winner.

The Timbers’ response was anemic. Portland looked to create a chance in the 13^th minute when Eric Alexander squared the ball for Diego Chara 10 yards out, but Chara sent his promising opportunity wide. Control + C.

If missing promising chances in front of goal is cool, consider Kris Boyd Miles Davis.[1] After Shalrie Joseph popped up a 32^nd minute clearance to Boyd, the heretofore fox lined up a free header and screwed the pooch. Control + V.

In the 43^rd minute Revs rookie Kelyn Rowe looked to make it two after beating Eric Brunner and getting out on the break. Troy Perkins did well to cut down the angle, however, and Eric Brunner recovered just in time to poke the ball away.

One would think Portland would come out of halftime with their ears pinned back looking to find an early equalizer. One would think wrong. The Timbers came out of intermission looking as flat as they went into it, with the Timbers nearly conceding again when Troy Perkins spilled Tierney’s 58^th minute free kick.

Moments later Kalif Alhassan mustered a beautiful cross into an unmarked Boyd at the top of the six. Control + V.

In the 60^th minute Franck Songo’o made his Timbers debut, and, for the first time in the match, injected some life into Portland. After inadvertently kicking Kevin Alston in the face[2] on a bicycle attempt, Songo’o showed flashes of what Timbers fans have been waiting for by keeping possession, combining well, and looking dangerous with an eye toward goal.

Kris Boyd wasn’t done, though. Alhassan’s 77^th minute corner again found Boyd at the top of the six, but again, Control + V.

The Timbers last best chance came in the 85^th minute when Songo’o gathered a cleared corner, took a touch, and absolutely blasted the ball on frame from 20 yards out. Matt Reis, however, was right in the ball’s path and easily deflected clear.

After opening weekend enthusiasm, two mediocre to poor performances on the road have Timbers supporters wondering if 2012 will be a repeat of 2011. Points like Saturday’s are crucial in the hyper-competitive Western Conference. Portland deserved none, and got none.

Match Observations

• That was awful. Just miserable, miserable stuff.[3]
• From one team the Timbers didn’t lose to in 2011 to another next week. Let’s hope it turns out better the second time around.

Timbers Grades

Troy Perkins, 3.5 Wasn’t at fault on the concession, but was unusually dodgy between the sticks. Spilled a couple balls that would typically be routine.

Rodney Wallace, 3 The guy looked like he had turned a corner. He really did. Looks can be deceiving. Helloooo, Mike Chabala.

Eric Brunner, 4 Guilty for giving Sene so much room to work on the goal, and otherwise captained a poor backline. To be honest, New England really didn’t look that dangerous; after the initial goal their best opportunities came off of some three stooges defending.

Hanyer Mosquera, 5 Looked fine until he took a shot to the nose. Hope it’s not broken.

Lovel Palmer, 4 Looked slightly—slightly—better than Wallace in defense and at least had some nice moments combining with Kalif going forward.

Eric Alexander, 4.5 Wasn’t awful on the left, but was far from great. A little bit slow on some of his passing, but was at least engaged enough to get a few crosses off. Still, Songo’o’s performance shows he’s living on borrowed time in the Starting XI.

Jack Jewsbury, 4.5 Was anonymous in the midfield, where Portland struggled to establish itself all day. Still, Jack had some crucial emergency defending that kept Portland in the match.

Diego Chara, 3.5 Diego’s struggles on the road was one of the underreported stories of mid last season. He righted the ship a bit toward the end of last year, and last week seemed to be a promising continuation of that progress. Today was a step back. For the Timbers’ sake, it better only be a temporary step back. As goes Diego, so go the Timbers.

Kalif Alhassan, 4 Very tough grade because, as always, Kalif had some nice moments. He was partially at fault for the early concession, though, by giving Tierney acres to work with, and wasted two late chances by sending hopeless shots from distance way off target.

Darlington Nagbe, 6 Man of the Match. Showed why he belonged in the Starting XI with some fantastic holdup and combination play.

Kris Boyd, 3 The only reason he gets a 3 is because I like the fact that he made himself available so much in the box. With no fewer than three golden[4] opportunities to equalize with his head, however, coming away within nothing on target it an absolute disaster.

Andrew Jean-Baptiste, 6 Another nice outing for AJB. Had a couple scuffed headers, but otherwise looked pretty controlled in back. This is looking more and more like a shrewd pick.

Franck Songo’o, 7 As long as his ankle is okay after taking a late knock, it might not be too long before we see him in the XI. For his 30 minute spell he was the best player on the field by a pretty wide margin.

Jorge Perlaza, 5 Inherited a mess and really couldn’t do anything to clean it up.

Preseason Prediction – Timbers 3, Revs 3. Boyd, Songo’o, Brunner, Rowe, Feilhaber, Sene.

Actual – Revs 1, Timbers 0. Sene.

Onward, Rose City!

—by Garrett Dittfurth

This speaks for itself.

Bazi Bierbrasserie concludes its celebration of Women’s History Month with the Joan of Arc Beer Release Party on Saturday, March 24 at 6:30 PM.

Women for Girls teamed up with Bazi and Portland U-Brew to create The Joan of Arc saison ale. The first beer celebrates the French heroine for embodying the first tenet of the Girls Inc motto "Strong, Smart and Bold".

All proceeds from The Joan of Arc beer (available at a cash bar section of Bazi) benefit Girls Inc of NW Oregon. A specialty beer cocktail named "La Pucelle" or "The Maiden" one of Joan of Arc's nicknames will also be available on this night only.

Following the beer tapping and in the spirit of soccer season, the Timbers Army OGFC (Old Growth Football Club) and its sponsor Bazi will unveil the team’s inaugural season jersey at 7 pm. A limited supply of jerseys will be made available for purchase to benefit Girls Inc of NW Oregon.

For more information about this event call 503-234-8888 or visit www.bazipdx.com

Bazi Bierbrasserie is a full service restaurant and bar featuring 17 rotating Belgian craft beers, bottles, wine and signature cocktails. The brasserie style food menu is inspired by a diverse and eclectic Belgian community influenced by the French, Dutch and German. Bazi embraces bringing community together through local sports and televises the Timbers, Blazers, and College Football on its 114” HDTV screen. Visit www.bazipdx.com to learn more about upcoming game viewings and philanthropy initiatives.

Timbers Army Old Growth Football Club (OGFC) is a founding member team of the 107ist-sponsored Timbers Army Football Club initiative. The Over-40 squad formed in October and begins play next month in the Greater Portland Soccer District. Core to the OGFC mission is to be involved in the community. OGFC is fully engaged in 107ist-supported initiatives and works closely with its sponsor Bazi Bierbrasserie to support the mission of Girls Inc of NW Oregon.

Women for Girls is an ever-growing collective group of people in the greater Portland area working to inspire girls of all ages to be Strong, Smart and Bold. The mission of the non-profit is to cultivate a strong and diverse community of women dedicated to Girls Inc. of NW Oregon’s vision of empowering girls in an equitable society. To learn more visit www.girlsincnworegon.org

The 107 Independent Supporters’ Trust is the machinery behind the Timbers Army. It supports soccer in and around Portland, Oregon, from the grassroots to the highest professional level. It fuels the Army and supports soccer charities and soccer events in Soccer City USA. 107ist is a member-based organization open to anyone who loves soccer, the Timbers, Portland, and, especially, the combination of the three.