Hey that’s my number! Alan Rhodes with the winning golden (well pink) ticket. (photo: Diego Diaz)
“You all have done something fantastic here and I consider myself more than lucky to have one of the first copies. You and your whole team have done something amazing for the Timbers and Portland…thank you!!”
Super-fan wins first copy of Cup Bound & Crowned
By Niall McCusker
The bulk of the initial shipment of Prost Amerika’s “Cup Bound and Crowned” – the story of the Portland Timbers historic MLS cup winning season – went to satisfy pre-orders at Powell’s bookstore, where the book initially knocked Harry Potter off the best-sellers list over the holiday season.
So with only a handful of copies on hand and a roomful of fans at the American Outlaws viewing party for the USMNT game against Iceland to satisfy, Prost decided on the Willy Wonka solution. A golden ticket would be drawn and one winner would take home the first copy, signed by Timber Jim Serrill and some of the authors, released to the public.
Rest assured that a second shipment of books will be arriving within the next week and can purchased online here – or at one of the many events planned around the Timbers preseason.
Timber Jim with the prize. (photo Diego Diaz)
Meanwhile the lucky winner Alan Rhodes – pictured at the top – is now enjoying his exclusive access and will be joined on Friday by a second lucky winner drawn after the USMNT versus Canada game at Civic Taproom at 7.15pm.
After looking at the book, Alan (to our great relief) gave it the thumbs up:
“You all have done something fantastic here and I consider myself more than lucky to have one of the first copies. You and your whole team have done something amazing for the Timbers and Portland.”
Alan is a Timbers season ticket holder, who also traveled to Brazil and Canada to support the USA in the last men’s and women’s World Cups. There could not have been a more dedicated fan and a worthy winner.
But as our photographer Diego Diaz recorded the win for posterity, Alan’s partner Katie Hadley could be seen none too subtly distancing herself from the book.
Dressed head to toe in USA gear she was clearly a fan of the game – what could be amiss?
The photo below may provide a clue!
Alan (in Timbers gear) surrounded by the ‘enemy’ – Katie’s (center) family and friends – prior to the MLS cup final (Photo courtesy of Alan Rhodes)
Katie and her family are all diehard Crew SC fans. It was all smiles before the kick-off but the couple only lasted five minutes together at the game before Alan wisely decided to retreat to the Timbers section. Alan’s book may have to live in a locked drawer in his office instead of on the coffee table!
But while these two soccer fanatics may be divided in their MLS affiliations they are very much united when it comes to supporting the USA. They were lucky enough to capo at the Women’s World Cup final with a perfect view from behind the goal of this Carli Lloyd strike
Women’s World Cup final (photo courtesy of Alan Rhodes)
For last year’s regular season meeting between the Crew and the Timbers a hike instead of watching the game on TV allowed for a somewhat harmonious day.
Timbers vs Crew in ‘the Enchantments’ (photo courtesy Alan Rhodes)
But this year with the MLS schedulers affording Columbus a chance for redemption on opening day Katie is bringing in reinforcements, as many of the ‘crew’ featured in the photo from MLS cup final will make the journey across the country. They will receive a warm welcome in Portland as visiting fans regularly do.
Meanwhile as she awaits her chance for revenge, Katie is busy coaching what will hopefully become future generations of Thorns at BSC Oregon.
These are a couple of true aficionados of the game and exactly the sort of fans we take pride in writing for at Prost Amerika.
Also See:
Buy Cup Bound & Crowned (free shipping before Feb 12)
Portland, Salem and Vancouver book signing events
