Our last regular season game was on October 22, 2011 and I’ve been meaning to do a love letter wrap-up to my Timbers ever since.
I’ve followed World Cup for years and years but I’ve never followed a club team before. I’ve never followed any sports team before. I’ve pretty much avoided going to sports. I have been to a few Trail Blazer games that were fun.
I had seen Timbers a bunch of times since I’ve moved here but I didn’t go regularly until the 2009-10 season before we moved up to Major League soccer. I never paid attention to the away games.
Hannah warned me that I would probably get pretty into it. She was partly correct.
I lost my mind.
It would be impossible to convey how much I loved this season of Timbers.
Here are some things about me: I hate waiting in line. I hate crowds. I hate events at stadiums. I don’t spend my money on random crap.
I did not hate any of these things when it was a Timbers match. Every single home game I was like a kid on Christmas day. I spent time planning my Timbers outfits. I bought plastic pants so I could sit in the rain and watch soccer. I bought two jerseys, a scarf and 5 t-shirts.
I saw 25 matches at home including U.S. Open Cup, exhibition and reserves. I saw 1 away match. I had a blast at every single time. And it’s not like we’re the greatest team. Well, we are the greatest team but we don’t win all the matches. I think we placed 12th out of 18 teams.
Losing to Seattle at home after being ahead was heartbreaking. That giant losing streak mid-season was rugged. I referred to them as the disappointing boyfriend I couldn’t give up on. Losing the last game at home was a bummer.
Winning our first home game ever was amazing. Beating LA Galaxy 3-0 was one of my favorite games of the entire season. And then Futty scored in stoppage time of our last game in Salt Lake to tie it up so we ended on a high note.
I know the team is going to change and every year is going to be different but this inaugural team will always have a special place in my heart.
Can’t wait until March.
You are so funny.
I, too, love the Timbers and will always be happy to see them finish second to…
SOUNDERS FC!
You are the only person on this planet who probably understands the loss and loneliness I feel now that my team’s season is over, especially after we came so close to extending it. Now that Keller has retired (and I get tears in my eyes just typing that) what will become of my beautiful team? March is much too far away.
We are hockey-crazed here. It may not be soccer but it’s still fan-mania. I’m glad you enjoyed the season so much, and I’m sure each season will be more and more fun.