Here We Go Again

It had been so long since a 4 a.m. wakeup call for the drive up to PDX that I didn't even mind it all that much this morning. Must be the initial road trip of the season excitement! Yes, today marks the first true Portland Timbers roadie of the 2008 season, and it just happens to be the longest - from a distance standpoint - as well. Our weekend whirlwind will take us through San Juan (P.R.) and Miami with layover stops in DFW.

I fancy myself a hardened road veteran at this stage, after a dozen or so years of traveling for soccer, but the first trip of the year (Seattle via motorcoach doesn't count) always seems to get the juices flowing. Hopefully, that translates from a blogging standpoint as well.

With everyone dressed in Timbers garb, it's only a matter of time before we all start getting the "What kind of team are you guys, anyway" questions from passers by. My stock answer in the past has been "dodgeball", but I think it's time for something new. Competitive cheerleading has a nice ring to it.

To be truthful, the folks in Portland are more tuned in these days than they used to be and generally know who the Timbers are, but the minute we leave PDX we may as well be a stunt hang gliding troupe from Arkansas. And don't even get me started on how painful it is to try and describe what the USL first division is to people.

The traveling squad has all arrived here at gate C9, so we'll be on our way soon.

So Long Seattle

Hard to believe that Saturday's match may have been the Timbers' final trip to Qwest field as a USL-1 side. In one sense, it's sad to see the northern section of the I-5 rivalry go on hiatus. On the other hand, not much good has ever taken place for Portland in the Emerald City.

Match Musings - Game 5

• Outside of a blown chance by Seattle early in the first half, the Timbers had a better first half showing than their previous match vs. Rochester. It's still very encouraging that Portland is unbeaten on the year, yet has failed to put together a complete game to date.
• One goal against through five matches is outstanding; Five goals for through those same five is pedestrian.
  
• Seattle's home opener will go down as its highest attendance of the season thanks to a huge contingent of Timbers' supporters and the fact that the Sounders will move to Starfire soccer complex for the rest of their league tests.
• Is is just me or does anyone else have a hard time believing the MLS version of the Sounders will draw big crowds on a consistent basis? Sounders FC has sold nearly 15,000 season ticket deposits (at $50 bucks a pop), but why don't those people ever go to see the current version?
• Power to the people. Thanks to all that tuned in on Saturday for making the webcast the highest rated regular season match in the history of the Portland Timbers Broadcast Network. Hope to have you along in Puerto Rico and Miami this weekend.
  

Tomorrow's News Today

It's already Sunday down under, which is when soon-to-be Timber Benjamin Totori will play his final match in New Zealand before heading to Stump Town. You can read all about it in today's, er, Sunday's NZ Herald.

Hitting the Road

After a four-match homestand to begin the 2008 season, the Ax will officially hit the road on Saturday via an afternoon bus ride to Seattle. The roadies to the Emerald City are barely road trips at all, considering there isn't any significant down time to explore. The most exciting thing to ever happen on a Seattle road trip - outside of beating the Sounders - was the bus blowing a tire. This is a big early-season match for both sides and the Timbers will have a better grasp of how they truly stack up with their nemesis after this one.

Match Musings - Game 4

• Rochester is decent once again. I think that 0-2-0 start, including a loss vs. Minnesota, distorted expectations of what kind of Rhinos' club would show up at PGE Park last night. They will be in the postseason mix when it's all said and done.
• Taka Suzuki is not on holiday. He's a 30-something World Cup veteran playing thousands of miles from home in a country not known for his sport of choice, but unlike others who have fit that bill over the years, Suzuki goes all-out, all of the time. He is a joy to watch and will soon have a Portland Timbers bobblehead likeness.
• 10 points from four matches. Portland's best start ever and the best has yet to come. Several players have yet to distinguish themselves and with the arrival of Oka and Totori on the way, their won't be any need for Gavin Wilkinson to stand pat and rest on the squad's early success. I can't wait to see this team after 15 games.
  

GOTWA

If I have one complaint about the USL's goal-of-the-week award, it's that they don't prominently display it on the front page of the USL website. So if you're like me, and couldn't find it right away, click on this link.

The latest GOTWA belongs to Portland's own Takayuki Suzuki - shocker, I know. The video clip incorporates both the USLlive angle and the endzone angle that has received thousands of hits on youtube. For those wondering about the hack announcer yelling "Tabasaki," that's a term dug up via google that allegedly means goal in Japanese.

Sagare Back in the USL

Former Timber Jake Sagare is back in the USL after a year hiatus. The former left winger, who last played professionally with the Seattle Sounders in 2006, has signed with the Yakima Reds of the PDL. My guess is that he absolutely tears it up at that level and gets a late season call from a USL-1 squad in need.

It's a little late, but...

Match Musings - Game 3

• Takayuki Suzuki's goal was one of the sickest strikes I've ever witnessed in person. Did I really read somewhere during the preseason that he was more of a set-up man? Rubbish.
• Cups full of cash could take passing out of the game completely. Both goal scorers against Seattle were given a cup filled with cash that was collected throughout the Timbers Army. The cup went through the stands and when a goal was scored, the amount in the cup was earmarked for the player who bagged it. Now at this level, it's great for players to get extra dough anyway they can. But if you were leading a 2 v. 1 break and knew there was cash on the line, would you pass or shoot? If I'm the trailer making a back post run, I'd be yelling "I'll split it with you!"
• Three games, 9 points, on pace for 90.
  

Takayuki...Tabasaki!

If you haven't seen Taka Suzuki's goal from Saturday against Seattle, check out this angle shot from inside of the Timbers Army. Can you say 1 v. 4 plus the keeper? Ri-freakin'-diculous.