Boot, Boot, Boot the Ball

By: Bob Kellett | August 14th, 2008

A bobblehead for each goal he’s scored
Since you undoubtedly will be in the stadium early to take part in the educational chalk talk session being hosted by Timbers boss Gavin Wilkinson you won’t have to worry about missing out on Takayuki Suzuki Bobblehead Night on Saturday. The first 1,000 fans get to put the Mighty Man from Japan’s figurine on the shelf next to the one of Timber Jim, which was handed out last year. A shame this promotion wasn’t around when Scott Benedetti played. I could use something to fill that empty half of my living room.

Why did Timbers fan pick their one-goal, one-assist striker for bobblehead immortality? This goal might jog your memory.

Those were the days. Next year the league should mandate that the season only lasts as long as until the first Timber’ loss.

Portland v Montreal, A History Lesson
All-time: 4-2-2, 7GF, 3GA
Home: 1-2-1, 4GF, 3GA
Away: 3-0-1, 3GF, 0GA

They must have been scouting the US Open Cup match
Where’s former Timbers striker Matt Taylor these days? Your answer:

Former Kansas City Wizards and Chivas USA striker Matt Taylor has become the latest American to make the move to Europe, signing with German Bundesliga 2 club TUS Koblenz. Taylor, who scored six goals in four seasons in MLS, played briefly in the USL with the Portland Timbers and spent some time with Hollywood United, before eventually signing with Koblenz.

After watching him do next to nothing in Portland last season I wouldn’t have predicted this one in a million years. After watching him blow by Scott Bolkan all night long during that US Open Cup match I would have slotted him with Bayern Munich.

Mr. Clean Iron Man
You know by now that Cameron Knowles hasn’t missed a minute of regular season action since arriving in Portland two years ago. That is a run of 51 straight games for a total of 4,590 consecutive minutes. One thing that surprised me when I looked it up was his fouls totals during this stretch. He’s committed 52 fouls – just one foul per game. That’s fairly remarkable for such a physical central defender.