Portland Timbers Reach 12,000 ST Sold

Big News Today. On top of Jorge Perlaza finally inking a deal with the Portland Timbers, we now receive word that the Timbers have sold more than 12,000 season tickets! This was determined to be the cap from the outset, but as I expected they have opened up some additional seats due to demand. Here are the key points of the article:

• 500 additional season tickets will be sold
• Hard cap at 12,500 for the inaugural season
• Half season ticket plans are nearing sold out status
• All 23 suites have been sold on a multi year basis
• Fewer than 125 season tickets remain in the Timbers Army
• 50 seating sections have been sold out

In other words, if you plan on buying season tickets do it ASAP. You don't want to miss out on this experience. Single game tickets will go on sale soon, but everyone with season tickets will have first crack at them, so don't expect to see any for Seattle, Vancouver, New York, or LA available for purchase. Every game is going to sell out this season!

Edison Fonseca: Mystery Forward?

Could Edison Fonseca be the Colombian forward we have been hearing about? MLS Rumors seems to think so. Fonseca has reportably been released by the Iranian club FC Mes Rafsanjan. The front office has hinted at announcing a forward this week, and earlier speculation pointed towards a player of Colombian descent. Word from John Strong (Radio voice of the Portland Timbers) is that the forward deal was "an e-mail away" from being complete. In the image above you can see Fonseca at PGE Park standing on the right side. He actually trialed with the Timbers during the 2010 season, so he is a player Gavin has had his eye on for some time. Check out this highlight reel found at Associated Sports Management (ASM), the agency that represents Fonseca and James Marcelin.

Kenny Cooper, Welcome to Portland

Portland Timbers Press Release

Cooper is a huge signing for the club. His physical presence up top will torment opposing team's defenses all season. The only concern is his recent injury history, but I feel Cooper is returning to MLS with a desire to retain his past form. He has a chip on his shoulder and he wants to return to the main stage. His work rate will win over the Timbers Army, and he should link up nicely with Nagbe. Opening kick can't come soon enough.

Portland Timbers Over 10,000 Season Tickets Sold?

In a recent article on EPSN entitled Looking ahead to 2011 for U.S. soccer, Jeff Carlisle has this to say concerning season ticket sales in Portland. We haven't heard much front the FO concerning sales lately, but I expect an update after New Years.

"MLS got it right with the league's expansion in Seattle and Philadelphia. Can that enthusiasm be duplicated in the Pacific Northwest? So far, the signs are positive. Already, both Portland and Vancouver have topped the 10,000 mark in season-ticket sales, and the proximity to Seattle should allow for some healthy rivalries to emerge."

Help Name the Widmer Brothers Party Deck

Yesterday the Portland Timbers and Widmer Brothers Brewery announced a founding partnership for the 2011 season. The deal will give Widmer the exclusive rights to sell beer inside the stadium. In addition, they will have a new beer garden behind the south end seating. This new area will help populate this end of the stadium because there will only be 4 rows of fixed seating.

The featured drinks at PGE Park will include Hefeweizen, Drifter Pale Ale, Broken Halo IPA, Drop Top Amber Ale, and other seasonal beers.

Widmer is asking the Timber's fan base for help in naming the new 9,250 sq foot party deck. There are a list of options or you have the ability to submit your own name. Click on over to the Widmer Facebook page to vote.

Features of the New Timbers Jersey

Dreaming of a Portland Timbers Jet

Tomorrow the Portland Timbers will be holding a special event at the Portland Airport in the Horizon Hanger to unveil the 2011 MLS jersey. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the shirt design and the opening of the team store on Friday. I am equally excited about the possibility of a jet painted in Timbers colors being unveiled tomorrow. Here is a mock up done by my father using the old logo (obviously the newer logo will be used). Can you imagine going on trips to away fixtures with a select group of Timbers fans on this plane?

If I were in charge of the jersey/jet unveiling this would be my rundown of events:

1. Speech from Mr. Paulson about the state of the organization as we move towards the new year. Topics can include recent player signings, expansion draft recap, and a ticket sales update.
2. Then either a giant screen will open or a curtain will be pulled to unveil the new Timbers jet sitting directly ahead of the crowd.
3. Players will then walk off the plane and down the runway wearing the new jersey and team apparel. Fans will have the opportunity to snap photos with players in front of the new plane wearing their new jerseys purchased after the show.

No Pity: Portland Timbers MLS Commercial

New Spring 2011 Portland Timbers commercial has started airing on local television and the website has just released the ad for all to view. Commercial features the No Pity chant and makes use of the images recently used on the billboards around town. Let us know what you think of the ad.

Another Timbers Billboard Discovered

This might be my favorite

New Timbers Billboard in Downtown

I hope the Front Office got the approval from the Timbers Army before running with this billboard. Definitely a piece of advertising aimed at the hardcore crowd that have probably already bought tickets. Most new ticket buyers won't understand this is related to the Timbers unless they have seen one of the No Pity scarves designed by the Army.

Portland Timbers Reach 9,000 Season Tickets Sold

As you probably already know the Portland Timbers launched their new MLS website yesterday. The new site has received a very positive reception from fans for its polished look. After doing some digging around on the page I found this interesting statement from the ticket sales section.

"The season is just months away, and 75% of the season seat inventory is already sold out, including 20 sections. Plus, invest before December 31,2010 and gain access to the ultra-exclusive Axe Society."

The Timbers FO have stated they plan on capping season tickets at 12,000. So if they have sold 75% of that inventory we are standing at 9,000 tickets with a little over 4 months left. Some people might look at that number and be disappointed, but I feel like there are plenty of soccer enthusiasts in the area that are simply playing the waiting game. The deadline to join the Axe Society should be an incentive to pay up for tickets as Christmas gifts, because some of the benefits sound pretty nice. The expansion draft next week and the jersey launch on December 9th should both keep the Timbers in the media.

If you want to buy tickets in the Timbers Army I suggest you click over to their website and order up. You don't want to miss out on this opportunity to be a season ticket holder in the inaugural season!

MLS Portland Timbers Website Launching Soon

-UPDATE-

Site is now live!!

If you try to visit the old Portland Timbers website you will find yourself starring at this message. We may get to see the new page launch sometime today. It should be unveiled no later than the end of the week. Hopefully it's a vast improvement. Keep on checking and expect a press release to accompany the launch.