Portland Timbers

Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers is name of soccer team used several times in the history by various leagues. It was first used by a team in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1975 to 1982. The name has been used by two franchises namely the Timbers of the WSA/APSL and the current team of the USL.

Portland Timbers - From 1975 to 1982
The new team, named the Timbers, began play in the 1975 season. In January, the North American Soccer League awarded an expansion franchise to Portland, Oregon.

In their inaugural season, the Timbers went to the championship game Soccer Bowl but lost to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0. It was during this magical season that the Timbers endeared themselves to the City and Portland became known as "Soccer City USA".

While the Timbers boasted some of the league's best fan support, they sometimes struggled on the field. Despite going to the championship game in their first season, they missed the play offs in 1976 and 1977. In 1978, they went to the Conference Finals before falling to the New York Cosmos.

The team folded at the end of the 1982 season as player salaries outpaced team revenue. These Timbers established soccer as a sport in the greater Portland area.

Their legacy lives on in the current Timbers following and the many thousands who continue to play and follow the game. Many of these Timbers continued to live in the area after their playing careers and helped establish the soccer as a vital local sport.

Foundations of FC Portland from 1985 to 90s
Football Club Portland came into existence in 1985 as an independent U.S. soccer team based in Portland, Oregon. In 1989, the team adopted the name Portland Timbers.

F.C. Portland was composed of both professional and amateur players. The amateur players largely came from local Portland amateur leagues. It played its games in Portland?s Civic Stadium.

The team adopted a tradition of placing its players on the end of year honors lists. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller was selected as the league?s MVP.

Additionally, Portland placed Keller, midfielder/coach John Bain and forward Scott Benedetti on the WSL All Star team. At the time, Keller was also playing NCAA soccer with the University of Portland.

In February 1990, the WSL announced it had reached a merger agreement with the American Soccer League, which had teams along the east coast. The new league was named the American Professional Soccer League.

The APSL was split into East and West Conferences, both with North and South Divisions. The Portland Timbers remained in the North Division, which also had the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, Seattle Storm and newly established Salt Lake Sting and Colorado Foxes.

At the end of the season, the high hopes which had come with the merger between the WSL and APSL crashed. Over half of the teams from the 1990 season, including Portland, would not return for the 1991 season.

Portland Timbers ? Current Team
Portland Timbers is an American professional soccer team, founded in 2001. The team is a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.

They currently play at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon. The team is currently coached by Gavin Wilkinson. The team's colors are green and white.

Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers is name of soccer team used several times in the history by various leagues. It was first used by a team in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1975 to 1982. The name has been used by two franchises namely the Timbers of the WSA/APSL and the current team of the USL.

Portland Timbers - From 1975 to 1982
The new team, named the Timbers, began play in the 1975 season. In January, the North American Soccer League awarded an expansion franchise to Portland, Oregon.

In their inaugural season, the Timbers went to the championship game Soccer Bowl but lost to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0. It was during this magical season that the Timbers endeared themselves to the City and Portland became known as "Soccer City USA".

While the Timbers boasted some of the league's best fan support, they sometimes struggled on the field. Despite going to the championship game in their first season, they missed the play offs in 1976 and 1977.

In 1978, they went to the Conference Finals before falling to the New York Cosmos.The team folded at the end of the 1982 season as player salaries outpaced team revenue. These Timbers established soccer as a sport in the greater Portland area.

Their legacy lives on in the current Timbers following and the many thousands who continue to play and follow the game. Many of these Timbers continued to live in the area after their playing careers and helped establish the soccer as a vital local sport.

Foundations of FC Portland from 1985 to 90s
Football Club Portland came into existence in 1985 as an independent U.S. soccer team based in Portland, Oregon. In 1989, the team adopted the name Portland Timbers.

F.C. Portland was composed of both professional and amateur players. The amateur players largely came from local Portland amateur leagues. It played its games in Portland?s Civic Stadium.

The team adopted a tradition of placing its players on the end of year honors lists. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller was selected as the league?s MVP. Additionally, Portland placed Keller, midfielder/coach John Bain and forward Scott Benedetti on the WSL All Star team. At the time, Keller was also playing NCAA soccer with the University of Portland.

In February 1990, the WSL announced it had reached a merger agreement with the American Soccer League, which had teams along the east coast. The new league was named the American Professional Soccer League.

The APSL was split into East and West Conferences, both with North and South Divisions. The Portland Timbers remained in the North Division, which also had the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, Seattle Storm and newly established Salt Lake Sting and Colorado Foxes.

At the end of the season, the high hopes which had come with the merger between the WSL and APSL crashed. Over half of the teams from the 1990 season, including Portland, would not return for the 1991 season.

Portland Timbers ? Current Team
Portland Timbers is an American professional soccer team, founded in 2001. The team is a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.

They currently play at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon. The team is currently coached by Gavin Wilkinson. The team's colors are green and white.