Last Chance to see the Timbers before the games count
By: Bob Kellett | April 11th, 2008
It is one of the rituals of spring. Heading up to the Bluff to watch the Timbers play on the beautiful pitch at Merlo Field. We get all excited about the new guys, think about the possibilities of the season ahead, and worry that we aren’t strong enough on the wings. We watch the Timbers go through the motions against college teams, while we eagerly await the games that count against teams from places like Charleston and Rochester. Tonight is the last opportunity to see the 2008 Timbers in action before the results start showing up in a table that occasionally is printed in the local newspaper. They face the University of Portland at 7pm.
The Trib does its part to play into the myth that the Timbers have played a light preseason schedule. I suppose that if you believe the official party line that they will only play three games – San Jose, Gonzaga, Portland – before the season starts then that would be accurate. But we know that there have been more games and that this preseason has been no different than any in previous years.
The Tribits also go on to mention that the Timbers may face a team from Japan in a friendly and that they might travel to Japan after the season for an exhibition. That could be the greatest road trip in the history of road trips. The impetus for all this, of course, is Takayuki Suzuki. It will be fascinating to see whether the former Japanese international really does attract Japanese fans to PGE Park this season.
The Trib also puts the arrival of Arsene Oka as being sometime in the next two weeks. I still think he is a fictional character.
Enjoy the game tonight. Unfortunately I will not be in attendance. I have my yearly case of Ebola and hardly have the strength to get out of bed. Now I know how Scott Benedetti felt after playing back-to-back games. I am sure you’ll have no trouble finding match recaps elsewhere.
Category: Friendlies
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Comments
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Japan Away! Love it!
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I saw a Timbers scarf in the elevator this morning! Apparently Timber Fever is as contagious as your ebola.
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My piece of anecdata: when my friend (and Gene’s brother) Mike of UrbanHonking told his Japanese friends (based in Japan, but get out here to PDX a few times per year) about Suzuki, they said “Oh, now we HAVE to get to a Timbers game!”
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I’ve never been to Japan, but always wanted to go. A Timbers road game is as good of a reason as any.
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Oh, and get better, Bob. You were missed at Bruce Manor last night. (Except by Bickle, of course.)
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