The Portland Timbers are Portland, Oregon's entry in the USL First Division, the second tier of professional soccer in the United States. The club was formed in 2001, but took the name of the franchise that existed in the defunct North American Soccer League in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Their jerseys are green and white. The team's mascot is a Sasquatch but the cheerleader is a grizzly lumberjack named Timber Jim (aka: Jim Serrill).
The Record
Through the 2003 season, the Timbers compiled an inconsistent record, qualifying for league playoffs two out of the three years. They have, however, established themselves as one of the best-drawing teams in the A-league, averaging attendance above 5,000 in each of their four years of existence.
In the 2004 season, they finished first in the Western Conference, with a record of 18 wins, 7 losses, and 3 ties. However, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by their long-standing rival, the Seattle Sounders.
The Fans
The club established a solid following of fans at PGE Park, its home field in downtown Portland. The Timbers' hardcore fans are known as the Timbers Army. The lead fan is Timber Jim, a wild man who wields a live chainsaw around the field, cutting off a slab of a log each time the team scores. Timber Jim is often seen running and climbing around PGE Park during the games.
Head Coaches
Players of Note
- Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar (2002-)
- Byron Alvarez (2003-)
- Alan Gordon (2004-)
- McKinley Tennyson (2002-2004)
External links
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