UPDATED: Joanne Couchman’s Columbus Diary

Standing at the back and watching the media work gave me a fascinating insight into how the articles I see on the page, actually begin

Former 107st board member and professional Yorkshirewoman Joanne Couchman chronicles her weekend in Columbus for MLS Cup.

Saturday 11pm

This was a fantastic day.

The day started off well. Using my capacity as a chauffeur for the Prost Amerika journalists, I went to the morning training session at the stadium, which was open to the media. The journos told me to hang back initially but as we passed through each checkpoint it became clear that the stadium security had no problem with me being there, given I was also writing a column.

Watching all the players being interviewed, both in Spanish and in English, was fascinating. More than that, I got an enormous buzz just feeling part of the preparations and seeing MLS Cup from an alternative viewpoint. Various members of the Timbers staff recognized me and were very friendly.

After that, we retired to the Claddagh Pub for food and drinks and I collected my close friend and former 107ist board member, Laurie, who had flown in from England just for the game. I hadn’t seen her in over 2 years so it was fantastic to be able to catch up and she was delighted to be there. Prost’s Columbus beat writer, Nino, arrived and he added to the mood of a party occasion at the table. He had a genuine affection for fans and took pride in the fact his city was hosting us.

Friendly faces everywhere

That evening we had an official Timbers Army meet-up and took over 2 bars in downtown Columbus, The Three Legged Mare and Gordon Biersch. Both places were pack jammed with Timbers green and much hugging ensued. The 200 transported flags turned up and the flag crew were hard at work reattaching them to the poles which had be purchased locally.

The story about the victory log travelling to Columbus had run throughout the week and given us a lot of entertainment, especially when Columbus Crew added logs and chainsaws to their list of prohibited items inside the stadium. My personal view was that it was a great thing to have at our own fan gatherings, but we shouldn’t push to have it inside the stadium as then a precedent would be set for the future.

That said, when the victory log turned up outside the bars in Columbus it really made the reality that this was actually happening sink in, and it was a very cool moment.

There was real joy among the Timbers fans at seeing the log in Columbus

We had a busy day coming up so managed to drag ourselves away from the festivities at about midnight although many were still going strong. Back at the room we found none of us could sleep so stayed up chatting for another couple of hours!

Saturday 9am
This morning things begin in earnest.

It’s fantastic to see everyone posting their travel photos on social media and exciting that we are able to bring so many fans (even though we could have brought twice as many!)

We have a big meet-up this evening and I’m looking forward to many hugs and catching up with friends that have moved away are making the trip out here just for the cup.

I get to be the chauffeur for some of the Prost Amerika people today and it will be interesting to see the build-up from the perspective of the national and international media.

Yes, I got to stand in its glow!

Friday 9pm

Timbers fans are now visible in the city. With two days to go before the game, they still look in tourist mode. But it is obvious they are not Columbusites dressed for the Columbus winter, even one as uncharacteristically as warm as this. At least our No Pity scarves are actually working to keep us warm as well as being a badge of belonging.

The media seem to have been here a little longer, covering training sessions earlier in the week.
I met some of them in a bar and it was fascinating to hear how different their last week was to that of fans.

They knew they were coming to the final and the identity of the opposition was less important. That did not mean they avoided a scramble for flights and hotels as Columbus was decided, but they did not have to compete with 2000 other people flying from the same city.

Also they are already far more focused on the actual match than we have mostly been. Transport, logistics and rows about logs have partly occupied our minds.

Their ‘matter of factness’ about the outcome of the match so vastly contrasts with how a fan thinks. It was as interesting as it was unnerving.

A highlight of the evening was the time I got to spend talking expansion issues and supporter culture with Erika Bjork from Sacramento Republic. It was nice to spend time chatting about supporter group dynamics, and they seem to be setting things up in the right way to foster and grow their culture.

Friday 6pm

So I am one of the advance guard for what feels like an invasion force.

Arriving at the airport, it was not long before I saw the first signs that this was no ordinary December weekend in Columbus.

Columbus Airport had the customary signage that there was a big event in town but you don’t recognize MLS officials or journalists in their daywear.

The only other obvious addition are the occasional flecks of dark green, draped around the odd neck or worn awkwardly with short-sleeves over warmer clothing.

My diary will be updated on this URL in between the arduous duties of being a Timbers fan at the MLS Cup final.

Portland Timbers MLS Cup Victory Parade

The post match Will Johnson interview – MLS Cup