San Jose Earthquake fans don’t yet have a legitimate stadium of their own to trash, so they’ve apparently taking to messing things up around here.
The Portland Police Bureau is looking for a contingent of Earthquake fans who—while headed to watch their team’s defeat yesterday—decided to make a brief pit stop to wreck a Saab.
According to a news release, a 40-year-old Lake Oswegoan named James Decker was en route to yesterday’s game in that Saab. But he either forgot or wasn’t privy to what is apparently a rule: You don’t taunt Earthquake fans on game day.
While waiting at a stop light on West Burnside, Decker spotted a group of rival fans headed to the game. Most of them had their faces obscured ominously by scarves. Decker taunted them anyway, telling police he “held up his Timbers scarf and yelled to the group,” the release says.
A woman from the group ran over to try and snatch the scarf and, when Decker attempted to drive off, was knocked over.
From the release: “Decker told police that a group of 10 to 12 males then ran over to his car and jumped on the hood and smashed the windshield. Decker told police that one male punched him through the open car window. Decker told police that someone opened the passenger side door of his car and punched him also.”
Police are asking for information on the suspect—the woman who rushed Decker is described as “Hispanic female in her 20s, 5’6” tall, heavy build”—and would love to see any pictures you might have taken.
I love the Timbers, but the taunting of opposing fans, whether it’s from the collective Army section or from individuals just lacks class. I realize I may be fighting against a long tradition in soccer overall, but who cares.
Especially when their team just lost the game – do you have to shake your scarf at them? They flew all the way from San Jose. Jeez.
However, taunting would have been appropriate if it were targeted at the homophobe Gordon on his way to the bus. What a douche.
I LOVE PEOPLE!!!
@azure, that was before the game. Just SJ fans being SJ fans. He was stupid to taunt them, but it in no way excuses that band of thugs. SJ fans are literally the worst in MLS, and that’s saying something.
The Earthquakes are what happened when someone gave Raiders fans an MLS team.
I agree with you Azure, thing is this kind of behavior happens at a lot of events, sporting or otherwise. Now that there are Timber fans everywhere they want the “footy” experience like in England or South America etc. Apparently they have not been to matches in those parts or the world. I hope this guy had insurance because that was unwarranted. Raider fan is a myth mostly but Aestro’s comment still made me laugh
It’s not Earthquakes fans in general. It’s the 1906 Ultras specifically. They like to equate themselves to an eastern euro ultra group. Basically they want to fight and steal scarves, banners, etc.
I think it is very clear that Portland Timbers fans, specifically the Timbers Army, against all forms of violence and bigotry (The Timbers Army was selected as “Gay for Soccer’s 2012 Ally of the Year.”) For some commenters to think that there is any such endorsement of violence tell me that that person may have never been to a match. There are those who come to games looking for trouble and try to start shit up. As a collective, we deal with it by calling it out and working with security to remove it. Violence and hate is not tolerated and there is no place for it in football.
I see more Timbers Army on Timbers Army violence than I see directed towards the opposing team. Especially during Tetris when many beers are knocked over and seats lost. Can you guys please get rid of that one? It was cute for a game or two.