Wanna hear what the first MLS goal in Timbers history sounded like inside the sold-out Bagdad Theater?
Unfortunately for the hundreds of Timbers Army packed into the dark, sprawling movie house — not to mention the hundreds more who traveled to Commerce City for the opener — Kenny Cooper’s historic goal in the 80th minute came with Portland down 3-0 and the match all but out of reach. The reigning MLS Cup champs looked like the champs, and at times, the Timbers looked like, well, an expansion club. The result? Colorado 3, Portland 1.
More thoughts on the game, the team, the fans and some EXTRA TIME links to fill your browser after the jump.
Colorado was the aggressor and stung (stunned?) Portland with three first-half goals — the latter two right on top of each other. Portland’s defense looked out of sorts and there were moments when lack of communication and cohesion were on display. Team owner Merritt Paulson called his club’s first 45 minutes “the Murphy’s Law of first halves,” and the suddenly tense feeling in the Bagdad certainly matched Paulson’s notion.
The second half was more competitive, and Cooper’s goal certainly put a little bit of spring in fans’ steps as they poured onto Hawthorne Boulevard, some still chanting.
- Joey Dittmer of Southwest Portland ran up from the back rows of the Bagdad just as the match ended, hopped on the stage and led cheers following the Timbers’ 3-1 loss to Colorado on Saturday.
EXTRA TIME: Links to help you deal.
* Andrew Brawley of Timbers Army says the rest of the MLS-supporters scene was officially put on notice with the TA’s presence on Saturday.
* Rachel Bachman of The O says despite the loss, the TA earned its first stripes.
* OregonLive’s Thomas Boyd wanders the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park lot for some sights and sounds around the Timbers Army. Note the seven kegs at the tailgater.
* Soccer-loather John Canzano says the players themselves were about the only thing not major league in Commerce City and (one game in) lays out his vision for how the franchise could fall flat.
* Geoffrey C. Arnold of The O says the Timbers wish they had a do-over.
* MLSsoccer.com’s official rundown says the defending-champion Rapids were just “too strong” but that didn’t stop fans from gathering to cheer throughout the Rose City.
* Doug Binder of MLSsoccer.com says the Rapids gave the Timbers a “wake-up call” but that the team’s debut “means everything” to the fans who traveled.
* Ryan Gates of Stumptown Footy says the Timbers played nervous in their opener and Kenny Ocker says the team’s already-suspect defense was exposed.
* Mao on Football says the Timbers were “dismantled” due to a “porous defense.”
* Timbers Insider Kelly McClain offers his match report and says tentative play and unforced errors gave Colorado all it needed.
* Steve Brandon of the Portland Tribune says the Timbers’ loss has more to with cold feet than shell-shock.
* Adam Sparks of Yahoo! Sports isn’t panicking just yet, saying he has “no doubt” the Timbers will bounce back.
* More match-day photos from Timbers FC Facebook stream from Craig Mitchelldyer.
One more look at Cooper’s goal:
journo nerd question, Brian: what’s your recorder?
First game jitters in the mile high (and oxygen depleted) city. A lot of our guys are injured too. I ain’t worried.
We’re in the MLS now and one goal up from the Flounders, and for that I am happy.
Not a horrible start, considering all, AND the fact the ref swallowed the whistle on second goal hand ball.
I hate to say this, but spencer is a moron. 1st, You never tell the team you are playing that you are going to kick their ass, especially when you use to play there. 2nd, there is nothing going on in the last 30 yards from opponents goal. 3rd, get a designated player, or whatever they are. They use to be called “English Re-Treads. They will lucky to win 3 games and maybe 3 levels. Look what the Whitecaps did with their DP’s…………..
BLAZERS/LAKERS GAME OF THE YEAR RIGHT NOW
I dunno: the first Colorado goal was pretty embarrassing. Their guy was trapped in the corner by two defenders, and then broke free, eventually centering the ball for the shot. I think our team’s talent is expansion-worthy. It will be a difficult first season.
I have to say the loss feels a little satisfying, considering the over-the-top billboards around town and general hoopla. Timber fans deserved a little humility.
dennycrane, yes, let’s look at what the Whitecaps did. They beat the worst team in the league at home. The Timbers lost to the defending champions on the road. The Sounders have 2 DPs, how are they doing?
Was this the Timbers first game in the pro league or their first time ever playing soccer?
That defense was a joke. I mean, ridiculous and fundamentally flawed.
And what idiot of a coach puts in a 4-4-2 lineup against a team like Colorado?
Soccer 101, folks, and the Timbers blew it on a national scale.
4-4-2, 4-5-1, 3-2-4-1, 4-3-2-1…
it doesn’t effing matter. to many people give way too much credence to how a team lines up before the ball is even kicked. it’s the tactics employed by the personnel on the field. whatever combination of numbers you use are meaningless unless you have the right players in the right positions with the commitment and focus to stay whatever course has been mapped out.
that said, we did look pretty awful, but then I’ve thought that through out the preseason, so no surprise there. but this is a work in progress, and to label the coach an idiot after one fucking game, against last year’s champs, AND at altitude, is more than a bit rich. get a grip.
Thank you, Cantona.
Lineup structure is not that decisive a factor. If you’ve ever played soccer, especially in a 4 4 2, you never line up fixed with four across the field. There’s tons of movement throughout that resembles a different makeup.
That said, the performance wasn’t a disaster. 3-1 losses aren’t in this case, typically. This was not a 6-0; it was not Man U at home vs. newly promoted Stratford-Upon-Twat from the first division.