US Open Cup

Anyone watch the Timbers loss to Cal FC? I was more than upset by this loss. I need to cool down right now before I post anything more, but I just wanted to start a little discussion if any of you all watched it too.

Also I found this because of Twitter: http://www.portscumtimbers.com/
That is a good example of what is wrong with fandom these days.

Out of state, so GAVE my ticket away. My long-time friend, who used the ticket, says he, "wants his money back!"

He'd already had too many beers to give me a good explanation of the game, except to say the weather was nice.

DoubleDipper wrote:Out of state, so GAVE my ticket away. My long-time friend, who used the ticket, says he, "wants his money back!"

Sounds like a Sounders fan.

I was able to watch from halftime on after getting the little one in bed. My wife had the pleasure/misfortune of going. With perhaps one or two exceptions in my sporting lifetime, I have never been so gutted by a loss. So many eery resemblances to Hollywood United. But what might have upset me most of all was the behavior of a decent portion of the Army. Booing and taunting our own players is shameful.

VillaGorilla wrote:But what might have upset me most of all was the behavior of a decent portion of the Army. Booing and taunting our own players is shameful.

I don't want to point the finger of blame at ANYONE at all, because it wasn't for lack of trying by the Timbers that they lost. But the stadium was 3/4 empty. Teams need fans to win, folks. Likewise, teams need to win to get fans. I know its a Wednesday night game, but it seems like most of Portland was occupied elsewhere tonight.

EDIT: Actually... I think this might be the punch in the gut that the Timbers need in order to get their season back on track. You know that they will be out to prove something in their next game against LA.

RipCityPilot wrote:I don't want to point the finger of blame at ANYONE at all, because it wasn't for lack of trying by the Timbers that they lost. But the stadium was 3/4 empty. Teams need fans to win, folks. Likewise, teams need to win to get fans. I know its a Wednesday night game, but it seems like most of Portland was occupied elsewhere tonight.

EDIT: Actually... I think this might be the punch in the gut that the Timbers need in order to get their season back on track. You know that they will be out to prove something in their next game against LA.

A) Absolutely a shame the match only drew a little over 5K
B) Teams don't always need fans, but it helps. Fans don't always need wins either. In 2008, the Timbers averaged close to 9K per match, something like a 20% increase over the previous year, even though they were miserable on the field. They finished bottom of the table by a big margin and scored several fewer goals than they played games.
C) Guilty as charged, I was home
D) I appreciate the rose-tinted glasses and/or morbid humor, but this isn't the Timbers' first gut-check moment this year. Or month. Or week.

The low attendance seems to me to be a function of selling virtually all season tickets, then not marketing the game like they do the others. It wasn't even listed in the places I usually look. (ESPN)

The team took 38 shots and put 8 on frame. Inexcusable. They deserved a little booing.

At least Kowaluk got some minutes late.

PurpleGeezer wrote:The low attendance seems to me to be a function of selling virtually all season tickets, then not marketing the game like they do the others. It wasn't even listed in the places I usually look. (ESPN)

The team took 38 shots and put 8 on frame. Inexcusable. They deserved a little booing.

At least Kowaluk got some minutes late.

This game wasn't part of the season tickets, and it didn't get advertised well at all. They might talk a good game about taking the Cup seriously but show me something, on and off the field.

People will disagree with the actions of some in the Timbers Army last night but I won't take back anything I said or did.

PurplePrideTrumpet wrote:This game wasn't part of the season tickets, and it didn't get advertised well at all. They might talk a good game about taking the Cup seriously but show me something, on and off the field.

Well at least they are in good company in that only 8 of the 16 MLS teams that entered this stage of the USOC actually advanced, the only difference being that those other 8 teams largely fielded bench players while the Timbers stuck with regulars... Kind of makes you wonder if it is the players, or perhaps the tactics that are the problem. (Especially considering the scorching start of one former starting forward now in NJ, er NY.) I think the TA has EVERY right to let the players on the field know that they expect better and would be shocked if they didn't voice their displeasure at the effort (or lack thereof). When the schlubs in the stands are PAYING so they can make a stronger 90 minute (or in this case 120 minute) effort than the players on the field you know there is something wrong...

As far as attendance, the Sounders and a lot of other MLS teams have difficulty marketing the USOC, hence the reason the Sounders choose to host the game at Starfire rather than Clink. It gives the fans an intimate view of their team, maintains the home field advantage and from the business sense you won't lose money on having to pay the big stadium operating costs. I think a lot of it has to do with it being outside the season ticket package and whatnot. I don't know it seems in the future the Timbers might look at another venue for the early USOC matches, I mean 4K+ at a jam packed Merlo would provide a lot greater environment for everyone than 5K in a 20K seat stadium... Just a thought.

I think that a lot of MLS teams just don´t take the US Open Cup very seriously, but, it´s getting to the point that it is just plain embarrassing. I mean, PDX management paid to have the game moved to Portland for a reason. Their management wanted to win the game, but, the players and coaching staff clearly didn´t get the job done. Even as a Sounder´s fan, this is disappointing for me...

The Timbers are allowed something like 6 dates besides the league games each year and then they can't have other events, like concerts, preseason, USOC or Nat team games, according to the "good neighbor agreement" they signed to appease the Goose Hollow folks.

Why they would choose to not market the game or take the competition seriously is beyond me. They didn't make those folks who bought tickets want to come back, and they pretty much spit on their season ticket holders by making them pay for an extra game and then blowing it off.

I was not able to see the game, nor have I read about it except on PN, but the friend who used my ticket didn’t know what to make of the game or the lack of a crowd.

He lives in London, and is a long time fan(atic) of Arsenal in the Premier League, and says he more accustomed to, “boisterous crowds and fast, skilled football.” Whatever the case, it was his first chance to see US soccer, and said he “was surprised there wasn’t a higher level of play.”

I’m sure I will still enjoy my occasional evenings with the TA, and I’m sure the TA will again open their collective arms to the team, but I’m glad I didn’t see the game.

Hahaha well if he is used to watching Arsene Wenger's tactics pretty much anything is going to pale in comparison... Arsenal plays some of the most attractive soccer in the world not played in Catalonia.

The Timbers can't really put this as part of a season ticket package; it has to do with how the ticketing structure works with MLS. I don't know the exact workings of the contract, but due to revenue sharing they have to market them separately. (USOC is run by US Soccer, totally separate from MLS) I suppose the Timbers could let you show a pass or wristlet or offer discounted prices for season ticket holders, but that is a lost opportunity at revenue. The thousands upon thousands that it takes for a single game day operation make charging for all that walk through the turnstiles (or whatever they use) a necessity. They can't all be so rich as the Boston Red Sox giving away tickets to maintain a sell out streak...

As far as the "not taking it seriously" line, I think that is a little tired. The league is ALWAYS going to be more important (That is true for pretty much every league in the world), and it isn't about not taking it seriously as much as roster management. It provides a great opportunity to give your bench guys a good run, showcase your talent for future transfers and help experiment with different formations/tactics while still under the pressure to win (Unlike, say, a friendly.). Spencer wanted to win this match, he wouldn't have fielded regulars if he wasn't taking it seriously.

Cal FC was no scrub team, Eric Wynalda put together a roster of guys who had all either been on MLS rosters, or who had all at least had tryouts with squads. These are guys still hungry to make a career out of soccer, not guys just kicking the ball around for the love of the game.

As for the Timbers I think everyone wants them to be stronger. Any true Sounders fan wants them to be more competitive, heck even Adrian Hanauer (The SSFC part owner and GM) has repeatedly said he wants the Timbers to be the best they can be, it makes for a far better rivalry. (Good for both franchises as well as the league as a whole.) I guess I cannot speak to the marketing of the match, but failing at that and only drawing 5K fans can only mean a financial loss just off match day operations. Seems the franchise was looking at the next match they were going to host rather than the game at hand. Tis the nature of the knock out open cup beast. I hope it serves as a rallying point for the team... I want my rivals to be better (Beating up a discombobulated PTFC is just hollow.) and frankly the hard work and time the TA and everyone else puts in deserves better.

The franchise is still young, and I think patience is a necessity. (Although I suppose the instant success of the franchise up north really doesn't help the situation...) Hahaha it does and will get better, and if not... At least you can't get relegated!!

Excellent analysis, DTR; and lengthy too!

Anna Song’s husband weighs in on a different aspect of Wednesday night’s game:

Frustrating? Absolutely. Embarrassing? Yup. Fire John Spencer in-season? No way.

The Portland Timbers stunk on Wednesday in a 1-0 loss to Cal FC. They took 37 shots, and missed them all. Only 15 of the shots were accurate enough to be handled by the opposing goalkeeper. Only one even forced him to move a step in either direction to stop it. Many, including Kris Boyd's errant penalty kick, sailed too high to matter. And this is how a fifth-tier amateur adult squad beats a MLS team with a $1.25-million hired gun.

So, yes, maybe fire the Timbers coach in a few months, but not today.

If you care, see the whole story at:
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2012/05/canzano_no_way_portland_timber.html

So, Cal FC upset the Timbers and now is drawing worldwide attention and comparisons to “Hoosiers” and “Rocky.”

As upsetting as it may be for Timbers’ fans, it was the amateurs' third successive U.S. Open Cup victory over professional opposition, and tonight they look for a fourth against a better team: the three-time defending tournament champion Seattle Sounders.

Any predictions, soccer fans?

Decided to stop off in Tukwila this evening on our way south out of BC and watched Osvaldo Alonso and Fredy Montero each score a pair of second-half goals against Cal FC. The 5-0 Seattle Sounder victory thus ends the amateur side's run through the U.S. Open Cup.

Any time Ozzie Alonso is playing the Sounders have a better chance than not of winning... The best tackler in MLS and he's improved his distance shooting and passing efficiency immensely, arguably an MVP candidate. His second goal was a curling, dipping strike from a 35 yard volley, not too many goalies would do too well with that one...

Also its curious that Cal FC went from wearing outdated Chicago Fire uniforms in early rounds, to wearing Nike Pro+ jerseys against the timbers and in the most recent one jerseys with a huge Fox Soccer logo on the front (which makes sense considering Fox Soccer went to a lot of expense to set up broadcasting for a match that otherwise would have been streamed over the web at best (or maybe for local tv in seattle)). Just kind of a curious journey, it will be interesting if any of the players on this team get second looks from MLS teams or otherwise...

Ozzie Alonso thinks little of cinderella stories.... (Well except for his own personal journey from Cuba.)

The first half of the game was played close and conservatively, and Cal FC was in it all the way, but after two quick Sounders goals in the second half, Cal FC began to wilt and the Cinderella story was over.

By the time Ozzie scored the Sounders fifth goal of the second half, it was no contest, but that does not take anything away from the beauty of the shot. From where we sat in Starfire Stadium you could tell it was a wonderful arching shot, but not only that, it then took a hard right turn towards the goal corner. The keeper had no chance!

This was my first live Sounders game; I’d better not watch any more, it was too enjoyable!

Thought it might be time to re-open this thread.

I went to the SounderFC web site, and saw a banner for Disaster Relief. I thought it was about the team, until I saw the Red Cross logo.

up7587 wrote:Thought it might be time to re-open this thread.

I went to the SounderFC web site, and saw a banner for Disaster Relief. I thought it was about the team, until I saw the Red Cross logo.

up7587 wrote:Thought it might be time to re-open this thread.

I went to the SounderFC web site, and saw a banner for Disaster Relief. I thought it was about the team, until I saw the Red Cross logo.

If this had included a beer reference, it would be a Post of the Month candidate!