Portland is a city in Oregon, USA which is also known by the name “Soccer City USA”. The Portland Timbers is a professional soccer club of America based in Portland city, Oregon. The club was founded 9 years ago in 2009, when the Portland was awarded an expansion berth to Major League Soccer(MLS). The club is known by the name “The Timbers”.Although it’s a new football club yet it has won the heart of millions in such a small time period.
The Timbers started playing as an expansion team in the league by 2011 and it competes in Major League Soccer(MLS) as a member club of the league’s Western Conference. “Providence Park” is the home ground of Timbers with a capacity more than 20,000 and they play their home games here.The team is owned by Merritt Paulson, who is the CEO of Peregrine Sports, LLC and he has acquired the then USL Pro team in 2007. So, here in this article we are writing about the foundation history and journey of Portland Timbers. Apart from this if you like online betting, one of the best places for you is BetAmerica. So, let’s start with the history of soccer in Portland.
HISTORY
If we talk about the history of soccer in Portland, then the world game of soccer formally took ground in Portland in 1970s with a professional franchise. Timber’s real history began in 1975 when they led to Soccer Bowl ‘75, and were fighting for the North American Soccer League(NASL) title.Although they lost in final yet they earned a highly supportive fan base that inspired the love for game in Portland. The original Timbers produced three playoffs seasons(1975, 1978 and 1981). Timbers entertained fans against some of the greatest players like Pele who played his last professional match in Portland in 1977.
JOURNEY TO MLS CUP
2011-2012: As MLS is a sports highest level league in USA and Canada, so Timbers started their journey for it by their first season in 2011-2012 with their first coach John Spencer. Timbers played their first game against reigning champions Colorado Rapids but lost 3-1 and were not able to qualify for Playoffs. Kenny Cooper scored first goal for the Timber’s MLS era.
2013-2014: Timbers appointed Caleb Porter as new Head Coach in 2013 who was previously the Head Coach of United States U-23 team. This was the twist in Timbers fortune and they achieved immediate success in 2013 MLS regular season. With this change, Timbers finished first in the Western Conference and third in MLS overall. Diego Valeri was the important player of this season. Timbers were eliminated by Real Salt Lake in conference finals. In 2014, Timbers were not able to qualify for Playoffs.
2015 (MLS Cup Champs): Timbers started this season without its star players like Diego Valeri and Will Johnson in the beginning, who were still recovering from their injuries. This season also started with some ups and downs as Timbers lost to Real Salt Lake in fifth round but in a highly competitive Western Conference, Timbers once again qualified for the Playoffs with third in Western Conference and fifth overall. Timbers defeated Columbus Crew SC 2-1 in final and lifted the 2015 MLS Cup. Diego Valeri kicked the MLS Cup fastest goal in the 1st minute followed by header from Rodney Wallace in 7th minute giving Timbers an incredible start. Despite Kei Kamara’sgoal in 18th minute, Columbus Crew lost and Timbers won their first MLS cup.
2016-2017: 2016 was not good as Timbers were not able to qualify but in 2017, Timbers qualified for the Playoffs and made it to Conference Semi-finals finishing 1st in Western Conference. Timbers also acquired David Guzman and C.D Saprissa and also signed Sabastian Blanco. On December 18, 2017, Timbers officially announced Giovanni Savarese as the team’s new Head Coach.
