Bumpy Pitch Collaboration with PTFC

I've been meaning to post this for awhile now, but if you follow The Original Winger or Bumpy Pitch you have probably seen this shirt inspired by Clive Charles and the Portland Timbers. Here is the copy from the official press release:

"This graphic and shirt hold a particularly special place for us (the BPFC team) as the inspiration for it can be found in a figure that played a huge role in our lives.

We had the pleasure of playing for Clive Charles on the US Olympic Team back in the day (Dunny much longer than myself). Clive was an amazing human being and coach. I’m sure anyone that ever met him, played for him, was a teammate, etc would tell you the exact same thing.

We’ve wanted to pay tribute to Clive in our own way for quite awhile. But it’s never been an easy thing to do and finding the right medium and message always needed to be done correctly. As a Portland institution and Timbers legend, the launch of the Portland Timbers in MLS this year seemed to provide the right time for us to do something for Clive.

We partnered with the Timbers Army and the 107ist on this to help continue to build the movement that these good folks have been building for years.

For those that dig into design elements, we made sure we put in a couple that pay tribute to Clive. His initials and retired number are featured on one of the axe handles, with the opposite handle seeing a nod to 2009 and the year that Portland was awarded an MLS franchise."

Shirt costs $30 which may be a little steep for some people, but it's unique and a portion of the proceeds goes to the 107st to help build the Timbers atmosphere we all love.

Portland Timbers Street Team

Portland Timbers Street Team

Follow the link above and apply now. Sounds like a fun opportunity if you just need a 5-10 hr/week job on the side. If you don't have season tickets to the Timbers, this could get you inside the park... and then we can hang out.

"Rose City FC" Merchandise

Today marked the release of the Timber's secondary jersey, now called the "Rose City FC" kit. Along with it comes a whole line of merchandise featuring the secondary rose crest. How do you all feel about this alternate brand they are pushing? Let me know what you think.

Portland Timbers Reach 11,000 Season Tickets

In this interview from OregonLive, Merritt Paulson lets it slip that the Timbers have sold 11,000 season tickets (1:08 minute mark) for the upcoming season. That leaves only 1,000 left for purchase before we reach our cap. I expect them to raise the bar from 12k to 13k as demand over these last couple months increases, but they do need to leave room for groups, mini-plans, and single game tickets. If you haven't bought season tickets you should really think about putting aside some money and getting them now. I expect every game this season to be a sell-out and it could prove difficult to purchase tickets on match day. Timbers Army tickets can be purchased here for only $360. Believe me, it will be the best money you spend all year.

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.

And so it begins...

The Timbers held their first practice today at the Adidas field in Portland. Opening kick is on the horizon and the team will have its work cut out for them in the inaugural season.

Here is a list of the unsigned players attending camp that have been revealed by the coaches: Tony McManus, Josh Cameron, Steve Purdy, Adin Brown, Doug DeMartin, Quavas Kirk, and Freddie Braun.

Stay tuned to the Timbers website for a potential player announcement later today or tomorrow! It could be the mysterious Colombian center midfielder or the other forward that has been signed.

Unleash Your Inner Lumberjack

The Portland Timbers front office is giving fans the chance to get their photo taken in the same style as the ongoing billboard/web campaign that has taken the city by storm. I already have plans to show up with my lumberjack jacket and strike a mean pose. Here are the details taken from the Timbers website:

Where:
The Timbers downtown team store located on SW 6th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205. The team store is between 6th and Alder.

When:
Thursday, Jan. 27, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 28, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

How:
Step 1: Go to the photo area in the store

Step 2: Sign the sign-up sheet

Step 3: Pick an axe

Step 4: Strike a No Pity pose

About a week later, we’ll send you an email with a link to your pictures, sized for upload to use as your profile pic on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Flickr, Linkedin, wherever.

Player Announcements Coming Soon

Breaking news from John Strong's twitter feed today as he writes the following:

Timbers source: “we have 2 forwards to announce and **working on** a dynamic playmaking center midfielder. Team is coming together”

Timbers Campaign Spotted on MLSsoccer.com

I spotted another piece of the Timbers marketing campaign today while following the 2011 draft coverage. This young lady is found as an ad on MLSsoccer.com.

I continue to have nothing but praise for this series of ads/billboards. They have captured the attention of Portland residents and MLS fans across the country. Solid marketing efforts are not usually associated with MLS clubs, so it's pretty special that Portland is doing things right.

2011 MLS Superdraft

Tomorrow at 9 AM Pacific the 2011 MLS Superdraft will kick-off live on ESPN2. The cable network will air the first round of the draft, followed by rounds 2 & 3 on the MLS website. It will be a very important day for the Timbers organization. Having the #2 pick in the draft assures the club of getting a standout performer from the college ranks. The difficult part is selecting the player that has the most room to grow and become a star in our league.

Just for kicks you should check out who ESPN rates as the top 10 value picks in the history of the draft and the worst 10 picks. Pretty interesting.

Also there are some mock-drafts out there that are worth taking a look at. Ives Galarcep with Fox Soccer lays out his first round predictions. And the writers at MLSsoccer.com weigh in on the draft with their selections. The general consensus is that the Portland Timbers will either take Darlington Nagbe or Perry Kitchen, both from Akron. Also noteworthy is Portland holds the 20th and 22nd picks in the draft. This is where the real challenge lies. Will these picks turn into stand-out performers like late selections Brian Ching, Edson Buddle, and Shalrie Joseph? Or will they barely survive training camp and simply ride the pine in MLS? Only time will tell.

Be sure to watch the draft on ESPN2! Just over 2 months left until opening kick!

New Billboards Spotted in Portland

Portland Timbers Updates: Jan 3

It appears my previous post concerning ticket sales proved accurate. Today the front office officially announced we have surpassed 10,000 season tickets sold. It's a fine achievement especially when you consider that 33 sections have sold out, including all of the $1,500 seats in the KeyBank Club as well as all 23 suites. The club still plans on capping season tickets at 12,000 to allow plenty room for mini-plans and single game tickets.

In other news the FO has released the next edition of We Are Timbers, featuring Pashington Obeng. It's a great read and I continue to appreciate the quality of this marketing campaign used throughout the city and on the web.

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.

Pack Your Bags! Road Trip to Colorado

March 19th, 2011

Portland Timbers Vs. Colorado Rapids

Who is in?

Portland Timbers Billboards Continue

Features of the New Timbers Jersey

Official: Portland Timbers Jet

A little less elaborate than the concept design I posted earlier... but tell me another MLS team that has a jet at all! I'll try to add some better images soon.

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.