Timbers fans are known to be excellent travelers, sending as many as 1,500 supporters to a derby match at Centurylink Field in Seattle in 2012 and recently sending several hundred to a playoff match in Dallas over Thanksgiving weekend. It came as little surprise when the Timbers Army sold out of their allotted 900 tickets for the MLS Cup final Monday morning in just minutes. Early estimates put the number of traveling Timbers fans at roughly 2,000 for Sunday’s match at Mapre Stadium.
So, we know fans from Portland will travel to support their chosen team, but what isn’t widely recognized is that the Timbers pull fans from across the country (and around the world), including cities that are homes to other MLS teams.Pennsylvania-based Scott Brown is one of those outside-of-Portland fans. Prost Amerika asked him what it’s like to support a team that’s so far away from home.
“Being an out of town supporter is a lot of answering the question,’why the Portland Timbers?'” Brown said.
“It’s about being an outcast, always the stranger in a strange land. It’s a lot of longing from afar, to be somewhere you’re not. It’s late nights watching in bars huddled with a small group in a place that doesn’t care to know your name. It’s the elation of the rare chance for an away day turning into hours on buses, trains, and cars with ‘enemy status’ at the end of the line.
“It’s about the burgeoning imperative of passion redefining the lengths to which you’ll go. But most of all it’s about the camaraderie of the people with whom you travel these roads and the tortured bliss we welcome in by our shared love for this team.”
Social media has played a significant role in the growth and overall cohesiveness of the far-flung outreaches of Timbers fandom. The Timbers Army boasts regional subgroups from coast to coast, with a significant presence on the East Coast and in the Midwest. For many, Twitter and Facebook have been a way to stay in contact with fans across the country, as well as those in Portland.
“Thanks to Twitter, I met a few fellow Arsenal supporters who were also TA, and they and their friends became my tribe,” recent Oregon to Ohio transplant Chris Marshall said.
“They were there singly, and in groups large and small, to talk to me or just distract me during my divorce. They offered me advice on shifting careers and they were happy to share a drink or a ‘proper curry’ before or after a game, or any time.
“When I packed up my belongings, they helped me with that too. I don’t expect to make closer friends in this lifetime.”
Timbers Army regional subgroups in North America. Groups offer a way to connect with Portland fandom for supporters outside of the Portland area. Map courtesy of Aaron Flynn.
Once-and-perhaps-future Portlander Jeff Dean, who lived in the Rose City through the Timbers’ 2011 campaign, supports the team from northern Ohio now. “I cannot stress enough how many friends I have in Portland, people that I love immensely, that I met through sitting in the Army section, or met while riding Tri-Met with my scarf on.”
For Dean, this weekend’s match is time to reconnect with friends who will be visiting for the game.
“This championship match, win or lose, I will more than likely cry my eyes out, not because of the outcome, but because for a few hours this weekend I will finally feel like I’m home. There are so many people I’m looking forward to seeing again, so many hugs I’m willing to share, so many laughs to give and so many pints to raise with my TA family.”
More Cup Final articles:
Portland Profiles: Gavin Wilkinson – where have all the hashtags gone?
How the Columbus Crew SC defense evolved its way to the MLS Cup final
Alan Hinton: Sounders fans should support the Timbers on Sunday
Timbers confirm log will travel to Columbus
Cascadia Corner Player of the Year 2015: Jorge Villafana
Portland Profiles: Sunday White, taking a stand just by living her life
Crew SC urge fans to arrive early amid increased security
UPDATED: Timber Joey’s Log will be at MLS Cup final but not inside stadium
Portland Profiles: Timber Jim, I’d drive the log to Columbus!
Cascadia Corner: At last, our boasting is real!
