Why the Timbers Army is the best fan section in sports

By Zan Schindler

The Portland Timbers may have the best fans in all American Sports. Yes, that’s right – the best. Topping the die-hard Yankee and Red Sox fans of the MLB and the crazies of college football, the so-called “Timbers Army” rivals none. The passion and love they have for the Portland Timbers Soccer team is the best I’ve ever seen. Growing up as a soccer fan, I’ve seen grown men do unspeakable things in the name of their soccer teams. In the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final featuring France vs. Italy, one Frenchman smuggled in a live chicken for “luck.”

Soccer is an emerging sport in the United States, with the 2012 season carrying high expectations in game attendance and TV ratings.

On Monday March 12, 2012, the Portland Timbers opened up their season against the Philadelphia Union, and the Timbers Army was already in full force. Even with storm-like weather conditions, the standing only section was sold out, as it usually is.

With a very physical yet scoreless first half, it was clear the momentum of the game was neutral; neither side could seem to find that spark of magic to get them going. Shortly into the second half, it was the Philadelphia Union that drew first blood off a deadly set piece shot from Gabriel Gomez in the 51^st minute. Given the rainy conditions, his shot was struck with enough pace that it was able to sneak past Timbers keeper Troy Perkins. Under normal conditions, this shot would be saved 9 times out of 10.

Now, usually, when this happens the momentum of the game shifts in favor of the scoring team.

The Timbers Army would have none of that.

Louder and louder they chanted, sung, banged their drums, and heckled the 20 year old Union keeper Zac MacMath as he made his MLS debut.  The Timbers began to slowly attack, and with each opportunity near goal the Army grew louder. Feeding off the energy of the crowd, the Timbers struck gold in the form of a magnificent finish by Andrew Baptiste (54’ min). Absolute madness ensued following the Baptiste goal; hundreds of flags emerged, green smoke bombs, and such loud sounds that I had to turn the volume down on the TV.

After this, the floodgates opened to a frenzy of Timber attacks. With pandemonium amongst the Timbers Army, all life was sucked out of the Union. Coming into the second half, the Timbers had registered 4 shots (2 of which on goal). After the 54’ minute, the Timbers registered 13 more shots along with a dominating display of possession inside the Union’s territory. Goals followed by Kris Boyd in the 66^th minute and Alhassan in the 76^th  as a result of  Timbers utter dominance on the pitch.

The Timbers Army willed their players to fight on, acting as a 12^th player. Players could be seen interacting with the crowd, each pumping each other up. When the final whistle blew, the Timbers had come from behind for the win, a feat they never managed to accomplish last season. A big thank you can be given to the Timbers Army, who never gave up and provided the energy to provide the pivotal shift in the game in favor of the Timbers.

But who is the Timbers Army? Sure, there are plenty of rowdy fans in all sports, but the Timbers Army is different. Lets take an in depth look into who they really are. Timber’s Army was founded in 2001 originally as the Cascade Timbers, a group of 8 people who decided to step their fan ship up and congregated in section 107 of PGE Park to create a European-style rooting section for the club, complete with drumming, flags, scarves, smoke bombs and constant chanting and cheering. In two years, this group of 8 had grown into more than 200 passionate and dedicated fans. By 2005, over a thousand consistent fans called themselves members of the Timbers Army.

What is so fascinating, however, is remembering that Portland still did not have a Major League Soccer registered team. They were still only a USL team, essentially the equivalent of minor league soccer. To put this into perspective, think of how big the following of minor league baseball is. The MLS is still an emerging sport in the United States, and in recent years has started to gain some real notoriety.

Now, let’s apply that notoriety to that of minor league soccer almost 10 years ago. Despite the lack of support, nothing would stop these loyal fans, which lobbied along with the Portland City Council that eventually brought an MLS team to Portland for the 2009 season.

The Timbers Army utilizes chants from all over the world, singing “Portland Boys” after kickoff and “Rose City ‘Til I Die” when a goal is scored against them. They scream, chant, and fuel the Portland Timbers soccer team to victory. The opening game against the Philadelphia Union proved that there is no comparison to the power of this fan section. In a short time, a group of 8 passionate fans have created perhaps what could turn out to be the greatest fan section of all time. Who knows what they will grow to become in the following years as the MLS continues to grow in the United States.