Blog

14 August 12:59 pm

Timbers teammates Lovel Palmer and Steve Purdy are in the interesting situation this week of coming face-to-face with each other on the pitch far from JELD-WEN Field. Both players were called up to their respective national teams--Palmer for Jamaica and Purdy for El Salvador--to take part in an international friendly on Wednesday, August 15 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. at 5pm PT.

As both players are quite active on Twitter, the chatter began after Purdy's La Selecta beat Guatemala 1-0 in a friendly Saturday night at The Home Depot Center. Palmer noticed the win and tweeted a question about having a friendly wager for this week's match.
 

 

After some good-natured jibes back and forth the best idea was presented by a fan: The loser must make the winner dinner.
 

 

Now with both teams training in D.C., the two have run into each other as part of the preparations.
 

 

While the game does not count in any CONCACAF standings anywhere, it should present a great tune-up ahead of September's World Cup qualifiers. And for one of two Timbers teammates, it means a hearty meal and bragging rights.

09 August 11:25 pm

While we often post here in The Backcut about news and interesting soccer tidbits, cool events with team partners, and other assorted ephemera, this Saturday, August 11 presents a particularly easy way to mix your love of Timbers with beer and helping out a great cause.

Join defender David Horst and goalkeeper Jake Gleeson--Gleeson freshly returned from London 2012--along with Timbery Joey at Widmer Brothers Brewing at 929 N Russell Street this Saturday from 5-8pm for a special "Brother's Day" event. There will be live music, prizes - including a pair of 2013 season tickets, plus for $20, you get two Timbers Reserve League tickets for the match against the San Jose Earthquake Reserves on Aug. 26, two drink tokens to Brother's Day, and a Timbers scarf and keychain. 

All proceeds from the 21 and over event's beer sales and special ticket packages benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest--one of the Timbers Stand Together Pillar Partners.

Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday evening.

07 August 5:19 pm


 

Remember how not that long ago, KeyBank was giving you free pizza and/or cookie dough at Papa Murphy's?

And remember how you could't lose as it was FREE?

Well, they're at it again this Thursday buying free Burgerville cheeseburgers for all. All you need to do is visit the Convention Center Burgerville (1135 NE MLK Blvd., Portland, OR  97232) between 4-5pm and you get free eats. KeyBank clients, show your KeyBank debit card and you’ll be upgraded to a basket at no charge!

Also, Timbers players David Horst, Hanyer Mosquera and Sal Zizzo will be on site as well.*

So again, how can you lose?

(You can't. It's free.)

Be sure to check out more of KeyBank's Summer of Rewards as they've planned a whole slew of goodies to keep an eye out for.

*Player appearances subject to change.

06 August 10:25 am

Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer

As the US Women's National Team continues their run at London 2012 for Olympic gold, they'll have to go through Canada to do it. Unbeaten in the group stage and dispatching New Zealand in the quarterfinals, the USWNT now face a spirited Canada later this morning following the France-Japan semifinal (11:30am, NBC Sports Network).

The two teams know each other well. It was just about a year ago when JELD-WEN Field hosted a friendly between the USA and Canada in a match that had three University of Portland alums in it--Megan Rapinoe and Stephanie Lopez for the US and Sophie Schmidt for Canada. While Lopez is not on this Olympic squad this time around, Rapinoe and Schmidt look to feature heavily today in London. Moreover, Christine Sinclair, who did not play in last year's friendly in Portland, is another University of Portland player who directs much of the Canadians' attack.

Back at JELD-WEN Field last September, Wambach had two goals while Rapinoe was snakebit but with all the Cascadian connections on the field, it made for a decidedly special night in the Rose City. Take a look at the postgame video from last year then be sure to watch the Olympic semifinal later this morning. 
 

03 August 8:23 pm

Long is the list of numerous and creative Timbers Army chants that are used to thunderous effect on matchdays.

But the TA is also well known for their commitment to their town through a robust and developed community outreach programs. Whether it be helping through Operation Pitch Invasion and their efforts to repair and improve soccer fields throughout Portland or their work at fundraising for the unique Harper's Playground project, the TA volunteer efforts run deep.

Tomorrow, the Timbers Army are helping put on a unique show that combines their famous chants with distinctive art. Partnering with Portland design collective Factory North and a host of other talented designers and artists, the Timbers Army are putting on Art Takeover: Operation Harper's Playground aims to raise money for the still under construction Harper's Playground in North Portland. The Harper's Playground project is an initiative aiming to build a fully accessible playground for children and adults of all abilities can come together to play.

Perhaps the coolest part of all this? Each poster created is built and designed around a unique phrase pulled from the litany of famous Timbers Army chants. And at only $30 a print, each item is a steal of a deal. The list of artists is impressive including OMFGCo, Jolby and Justin "Scrappers" Morrison. Visit their website for a full list of designers and get a sneak peek of some of the posters to be on display. There's a total of 30 artists with editions of 50 made for each handpulled artist signed and numbered print.

So what are you waiting for? Head to Coava Coffee on 1300 SE Grand Avenue tomorrow anytime between 8am-6pm (or a special 21+ 7-10pm reception the same night) and get your poster then come Sunday to cheer on the Timbers as they take on FC Dallas at JELD-WEN Field.

Watch the great video for a complete rundown of the whole shebang:

03 August 9:57 am

This Sunday's August 5 Portland Timbers match against FC Dallas (4pm PT, NBC Sports Network, 750 AM The Game / La Pantera 940) marks the first appearance of a Portland food cart at JELD-WEN Field through the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance (PTFCA). But just what kind of menu of delicious food can we expect?

808 Grinds will be occupying the Soccer City Grill concession stand on the east side of the stadium serving up their Hawaiian-style plate lunches, including their Shoyu Chicken, Kalua Pig, and 808 Fried Chicken for $7. A combo of two entrees can be purchased for $9, and all plates are served with rice and macaroni salad.

Childhood friends Kevin Scofield and Jensen Kip grew up in Maui and started 808 Grinds in September 2010. The 808 Grinds food cart can be found on SW 9th and Washington Streets and has since grown to include a mobile truck that serves in various locations around Portland.

808 Grinds is one of four food carts selected by fans via Facebook to serve at the stadium.

“It feels good to be voted in by our customers. There’s always a good vibe around here,” said Scofield. “A great customer experience is something that we want to accomplish, and it feels good. We’re happy to be here.”

“[Serving at JELD-WEN Field] is a great opportunity. It’s a chance for people to experience 808 Grinds that live on the east side, or Hillsboro or Clackamas and might not visit downtown every day, but make the trip to see the Timbers every game,” continued Scofield. “To be a part of the Timbers organization is very exciting for us, not only to expand our reach, but to serve to local fans who are loyal to both us and the Timbers is a really great feeling.”

PTFCA is looking for new members. Applications for PTFCA will be accepted for the remainder of the season. Another fan vote for the remaining two home matches will run in early September.

 

02 August 4:49 pm

Begun in 2009 in New York City—the center for all things independent film-related—the Kicking + Screening Film Festival set out to merge the art of the beautiful game with the art of cinema. Branching out to satellite editions in Washington, DC, Houston, North Adams, Mass., London, Amsterdam and, most recently, Liverpool, K+S presents films that examine the culture of soccer both on and off the field.

And now, they bring their cinematic and pitch artistry to Portland.

Arriving September 13-14, K+S Portland, presented by KickTV and presented in partnership with the Portland Timbers, takes on the theme of “rivalry” all in the build-up to Saturday’s Sept. 15 Cascadia Cup clash between Portland and Seattle (NBC, 12:30pm PT).

Along with the two headlining films, Argentina Fútbol Club—about the battles between Boca Juniors & River Plate—as well as Gringos At The Gate—a look into the U.S.A-Mexico soccer border clash—K+S Portland will also feature panels, gatherings, and all kinds of other engaging events.

There will be more info to follow but visit the K+S Portland website to see the full lineup, learn more get tickets (Thursday, Friday).

 

02 August 11:14 am

A few weeks ago during the Timbers' exciting friendly with Aston Villa at JELD-WEN Field, you may have noticed a spontaneous round of applause beginning at the stroke of the 19th minute. It was a show of solidarity and respect for Villa team captain and number 19 Stiliyan Petrov during his battle with leukemia. Petrov, who was diagnosed late in the 2011-12 EPL season, was undergoing treatments and did not accompany the team to Portland. 

Aston Villa was happy to announce today that Petrov's leukemia appears to be in remission:

It is with great delight that the club can confirm on behalf of our long-standing captain, Stiliyan Petrov, that Stan's acute leukaemia is in remission.
 
Stan would like to take this opportunity to express his deep gratitude to the medical staff who have looked after him so well since his condition was diagnosed just over four months ago.
 
He also wishes to place on record again his profound sense of appreciation for the incredible outpouring of love and support he has received from Villa fans, his team-mates and colleagues at the club, as well as football fans and many more people around the world during this period.
 
Read the full statement here.
 
01 August 10:11 am

The fans have spoken!

The first four food carts to serve at JELD-WEN Field through the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance (PTFCA) have been chosen via Facebook fan vote. The first food cart will serve at the August 5 match.

Each food cart will offer a selection of their specialty items at the Soccer City Grill concession stand on the east side of the stadium.

Here are the winning food carts for the next four home matches:

August 5 – 808 Grinds (Twitter)
About: 808 Grinds is the creation of Jensen Yip and Kevin Scolfield. The food here offers up flavors that have influenced Hawaiian food for years like teriyaki, ginger, wasabi and others. Their menu features traditional Hawaiian dishes like Kalua pig and Shoyu chicken served with rice and traditional mac salad.

August 25 – The Frying Scotsman (Twitter)
About: British fish and chips prepared fresh daily in Portland, OR by Scotsman James King. The recipes they use have been handed down through generations in Scotland. Chef James King hails from Ayrshire, UK, on the west coast of Scotland.

Sept. 15 – Big Ass Sandwiches (Twitter)
About: Big-Ass Sandwiches is exactly what it sounds like: Delicious, ample sandwiches filled with home roasted meats and homemade ingredients, sure to squash big hunger in its tracks. This new Portland food cart is owned and operated by husband and wife Brian and Lisa Wood. Located downtown on the corner of SW 3rd & Ash Street, they serve up one-of-a-kind sandwiches to the people of Portland, who are already delightfully in the midst of what can only be described as an outright sandwich revival.

Applications for PTFCA will be accepted for the remainder of the season. Another fan vote for the remaining two home matches will run in early September.

Stay tuned for more details on each food cart as the season goes on. First up: 808 Grinds!

31 July 4:48 pm

 

Hungry? Like pizza? I'll go out on a limb here and say that even if you aren't hungry, you probably like pizza. Who doesn't like pizza?

Want to know something even better than pizza?

FREE PIZZA!

Tomorrow, August 1st, all day, our friends at KeyBank are providing a free large one-topping pizza for pick-up for any KeyBank client who shows their debit card at the Papa Murphy's Hawthorne location (4115 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214).

Not a KeyBank client but still like free stuff and/or are hungry?

Go to that same Papa Murphy's on Hawthorne in your Timbers gear and they'll give you free cookie dough! No purchase neccessary.

How can you lose?

(You can't. It's free.)

Be sure to check out more of KeyBank's Summer of Rewards as they've planned a whole slew of goodies to keep an eye out for.