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Photo: Chicago-Fire.com
The 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup continues tonight with the Portland Timbers taking on the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the fourth round (7:30pm PT; Tickets, webstream, 750 AM The Game / La Pantera 940).
Matches are going on across the country tonight with the Chicago Fire hosting the Columbus Crew and it is with the Fire that a Chicago piece of Open Cup legend was born with now Timbers assistant coach Amos Magee.
In a 2001 quarterfinal game against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, then Fire head coach Bob Bradley subbed Magee on late and he scored a 114th minute gamewinner using, well . . . his chest.
Hear him tell the story to Chicago-Fire.com:
We know how it goes. You've had your eye on a new Timbers kit but wonder what name and number to put on the back? Valeri and #8? Nagbe and #6? Johnson and . . . WAIT. Which Johnson? Both are great choices.
We've upped the ante on this dilemma a little bit by putting together a special offer that involves you buying a kit, us numbering it for you for FREE, and a chance to meet said player at a future Timbers training session. To enter is as easy as three steps:
Step 1 – Purchase any Timbers primary or secondary jersey (replica or authentic) between Tuesday, June 11 and Monday, June 24.
Step 2 – Receive free customization of your favorite player’s name and number.
Step 3 – Be automatically entered to win a chance to meet that player at a Timbers training session.
That's right. You buy the jersey, we customize it for free AND enter you into a drawing to meet the player at a future Timbers training session.
Visit the adidas Timbers Team Store at JELD-WEN Field or shop.portlandtimbers.com now to enter!
Chicago-Fire.com Editor Jeff Crandall
in Timbers Army green & white
There is a certain art to diplomacy--particularly when it comes to a classic soccer scarf.
In the case of Chicago-Fire.com editor Jeff Crandall--a diplomat well-versed in the in's and out's of supporters scarf culture--it should come as no surprise that when he happened upon a flight attendant who was a diehard Timbers Army supporter, that an exchange of scarves would happen--mid-flight, no less.
It has been demonstrated time and again that soccer has the power to make a positive impact in the community. The Portland Timbers firmly believe in that potential and constantly seek new opportunities to become involved through their community outreach platform Stand Together.
MLS WORKS is recognizing individuals from every MLS city, who have taken this idea to heart and promote goodwill, demonstrate leadership qualities and help to improve lives within their community.
Through June 20th, fans can nominate themselves or somebody in their community who sets an example as a leader in the community and uses soccer as a tool to help make a positive impact in one of the following areas:
- Social issues focusing on acceptance and equality
- Health issues affecting men, women or children
- Community service for a local, national or international charity or community organization
One community MVP will be selected for each team and will receive VIP tickets, recognition during a 2013 home game, team merchandise, and an autographed item.
One Grand Prize winner will receive a $10,000 donation to their charity of choice and a trip to the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, including airfare, accommodations, and tickets. The Nominator of the Grand Prize winner and one guest will also receive a trip to the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game.
To nominate your MLS WORKS Community MVP, click here.
Read full contest rules here.
The 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup officially kicks off in 30 days when Canada faces Martinique at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. To commemorate the 30-day mark, CONCACAF is offering a special deal on Gold Cup tickets and merchandise.
For the next 30 hours, you can receive 30% off official CONACAF 2013 Gold Cup branded merchandise with the purchase of a 2013 Gold Cup ticket.
This special promotion begins today and runs until Saturday, June 8 at 3pm PT.
How does it work?
When purchasing tickets please use the VIP Club Member code 30DAYSGC in the “Promotional Access Code” field on the ticket purchase page.
Following your purchase, a notification email will be sent to you with a code for 30% off official CONCACAF 2013 Gold Cup branded merchandise.
Portland and JELD-WEN Field host the Gold Cup this summer for the first time ever, when the U.S. Men’s National Team play Belize and Costa Rica faces Cuba on July 9. One ticket gets you both matches.
"There are more than a few cities in the country where people love soccer but they're not selling out every game. Clearly, [Portland is] the flagship team in the league," - Sunil Gulati, president of the U.S. Soccer Federation.
In a look into the success of the Portland Thorns as a new franchise in a new National Women's Soccer League, espnW's Melissa Isaacson takes a closer look into the buzz and growth of the new club and its impact on the American soccer landscape.
Soccer City, U.S.A. indeed.
Photo by L.M. Parr
The St. Baldrick's Foundation is an organization that raises money to fund the research of childhood cancer. Saturday, June 8th, will mark the 11th annual St. Baldrick's event at Oaks Park in Portland. In the months leading up to the event, participants organize teams and set fundraising goals. This year's Portland Timbers team is led by forward Brent Richards.
Richards, who particpated in last year's event, recently had knee surgery and has chosen this fundraising effort as a way to contribute to his team and community during his recovery process. The team's goal was set at $3,000, and they just reached it. You can help Brent and the team beat their goal by donating here.
On Saturday, Richards and others from the Timbers organization will shave their heads at the event as a sign of support for St. Baldrick's and the youth affected by cancer. The Timbers and St. Baldrick's encourage everybody to come out and participate, whether it be by shaving your head, donating, volunteering, or showing up to show your support.
The festivities get going this Saturday at Oaks Park at noon and Richards is scheduled to shave go bald at 1:50pm.
Photo by David Blair
Timber loves the Thorns too. In this case we're talking about Timber Adamson, owner of Timber's Doghouse PDX food cart.
Timber has been at JELD-WEN Field before serving up her signature dishes as part of the PTFCA at the Soccer City Grill in the SE corner of the stadium. She'll be returning tonight as the Thorns host FC Kansas City and she's put together some very special edition concoctions for the evening. Check them out:
Timber, I'm falling in Love: Sweet potato tots tossed in Timber's salt. Topped by blue cheese, bacon, and our house 3way mustard.
Momentary Indiscretion: Classic tots tossed in Timber's salt. Topped with black truffle oil, grilled mushrooms & onions, asiago cheese, and roasted garlic truffle aioli
A Thorn in Her Side: Classic tots tossed in Timber's salt. Topped with our signature ground grass fed beef, fresh pico de gallo, black olives, and 3 chili lime sour cream
Be sure to hit them up tonight and keep an eye on upcoming PTFCA goodness here.
Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer
Continuing the new tradition of the presentation of roses following Thorns games to the goal scorers and goalkeeper who achieved a shutout, Girls, Inc. has been sending participants from their great youth programs to meet players after the game and hand them the roses in front of the North End supporters. For an organization that looks to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold, it's truly a special moment after the match.
June 1, 2013 vs. Chicago Red Stars
Ani Draper is a 6th grader who attends St. Clare Elementary.
How would you like to help other girls feel Strong, Smart and Bold?
Ani: I would like to help girls realize that they are just as strong, smart and bold as boys. I think that it is important for girls to have the same opportunities as boys, like an education. Here in the United States girls can go to school and get an education, but it isn’t that way everywhere. I would like to try to make a difference for girls that live in other countries that don’t have the same opportunities for education.
Tell us about today
A: It was really cool watching the girls play. It was my first Thorns game. When we were walking here I was getting all nervous. But once the game got started I was really amazed by at how big it was, how many people and what the women were doing down on the field.
What makes your strong, smart and bold?
A: Something that makes me strong is that I listen to my inside voice. Something that makes me bold is that I’m not afraid to tell other kids if they are being mean. If someone is not being respectful to another kid I tell them to stop – in a way that is not completely rude about it. I just get the point across that they are doing something that is wrong.
What was your favorite part about today?
A; Probably watching them warm up and practice. I also like watching them head it – they are so fast.
Courtesy of Roger Bennett.A colorized image of the American
Soccer League All-Stars team.
Olaff is at center in the baseball cap.
""It has been so exciting to savor MLS's growth," he exclaimed with enthusiasm. "When I watch television and see that packed stadium in Portland, I cannot believe it is in America. I could never have dreamed of a scene like that when I grew up in the 1920s and soccer was strictly for immigrants," he admitted. "But when you look at my life, you see, it has taken a good long time for it to get to where it is today."
Those are the words of U.S. soccer legend Gene Olaff. Before Landon Donovan or Alexi Lalas, before John Harkes or Paul Caligiuri, Olaff was blazing a new trail for American soccer. Now 92, he is the oldest living former U.S. international and was a goalkeeper in the old semi-professional American Soccer League.
As the U.S. Soccer Federation celebrated their 100th year this past weekend, Roger Bennett of Grantland and ESPNFC.com fame wrote a brilliant piece about this living legend where he describes some of the early rise of soccer in America. It is a must read for soccer history aficionados. Also check out their great look at an all-time most influential U.S. XI for more history.
