Portland Timbers T2

The Portland Timbers T2 to begin USL PRO play at Merlo Field in 2015.....

More info here:  http://www.socceramerica.com/article/61015/seattle-and-portland-launch-usl-pro-second-teams.html

I think this is good news for the UP programs. T2 should bring added attention to the U's programs, and hopefully some investment in facilities. Merlo is a great facility, but it needs some updating to return it to being considered a premier facility--hopefully this is a solution. Anything that brings paying customers to The Bluff is a good thing, IMO. Good for the U, good for the businesses in the neighborhood, etc. I would think this would be a good recruiting tool, as well.

Schedule wise, it looks like the overlap will be in August and September... realistically probably only about a month with UP starting in mid to late August, and USL Pro playoffs running in September.

Unlike the ugly temporary facility that SCU had to endure with the MLS Quakes team, this is a better type of arrangement, IMO. Will they add seats to increase capacity?

Not only seats... WHAT ABOUT THE BEER!?!?!

http://m.fanchants.com/football-songs/portland-timbers-chants/give-beer-a-chance/

From the Oregonian today:

The Portland Timbers' USL team T2 will face the University of Portland in a preseason game on Sunday, March 22 at Merlo Field at 7 p.m.

Tickets start at $5 for general admission, $8 for reserved bench back seats and $10 for reserved stadium chairs. Two dollars of every ticket purchase will go to support Providence's sports screening and health education programs for youth in the community.

Tickets can be purchased through the Pilot box office by calling (503) 943-7525 or online at ticketmaster.com.

I noticed in my Timbers season ticket renewal package that all Timbers 2 matches will be played at Providence Park next year, so the Pilots will get Merlo back to themselves.

I would think this is a mixed blessing... the extra revenue was nice, but it is always challenging sharing your space with someone else. I also think it was good to get people on campus and exposed to the U who might not otherwise be... and maybe they will start attending a UP match or 2.

I know there is a commitment to keep ties with the Timbers/Thorns/Timbers 2 organization (as NCAA rules allow), so hopefully that will continue. Watching the Pilots play a match at PP would be cool, too!