Soccer: May 2006 Archives

MLS announced today the name and logo of its 13th team, Toronto FC. The team will be operated by the Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment Group (MLSE), the same group that runs NHL's Maple Leafs.

Don't have much comment here, other than to say that i like the logo. Classy. Someone with actual graphic design knowledge should do a post about team logos. Logos both wonderful and cringe-inducing exist in plentiful supply even in just the MLS or USL.

As for the name, Toronto FC, my first reaction was "cop out." But then I remembered that the online rumors had it pegged to be the vomit-worthy "Inter Toronto FC." In light of that, I'll just sigh and go with the flow, because when the day is done, at least we still have a (top flight) league.

Chad, meet Portland. Portland, meet Chad.

After a stint at OSU, Chad decides he wants a tryout with the closest pro team. So he calls coach Agnello, emails him ... nothing. "I get at least 20 calls and e-mails a day," says Agnello. So Bartolomé does what every ambitious, driven professional does. Shows up at the front door and demands that he be hired.

And four hours after officially being signed to the Portland Timbers, Chad Bartolomé decides that the prudent course of action would be to score a goal for his new club, and Byron Alvaraz provides him the opening, placing a pacey shot to the keeper's lower right. The resulting deflection bounces right to an oncoming Bartolomé, who touches it into the goal, and only has to step over the sponsor banners to receive the eardrum-splitting accolades from section 107, and say "hello, Portland."

Although the weekend began on that strong note, it wasn't all smiles for the rose city. A defensive misstep allowed Vancouver's Tony Donatelli to strike a laser-guided shot past Josh Saunders and tie the game (where it would stay for the remainder), and the Minnesota Thunder would only be defeated 2-1 by a scrappy game-winner from Troy Ready.

But here's the crazy takeaway from this weekend's games: Hugo can disappear from a game for long stretches and the team doesn't suffer. Last year, if Hugo took his game down a notch (or was triple-marked out of the game), sea floor level pressure was placed on the Timbers' back line, and the forwards were left to wither, like desert nomads searching for an oasis.

This year, we got options. Guti looks dangerous in the middle, bringing that much-needed South American flair to these northern realms, and Luke carries the ball with the confidence of someone completely unaffiliated with a certain Utah-based MLS team. Combine that with the veteran Byron up top showing newcomers McAthy and Bartolomé how to strike, and the Timbers look very, very promising.

I said to Josh at halftime on Saturday, buzzing from overpriced Widmer and season-opener adrenaline, "I don't think I care if this team is middling all season. They're already tons more fun to watch in these first two games than all of last season." Sure, Jacobi had some slips, and we let both teams back into the game after getting a first half lead, but last year, you could almost taste the desperation and yearning, the frustration of a stilted system, questionable substitutions, and no creativity in the midfield.

I feel something new with this team. Oh, I know what it is, it's the absense of feeling that I could personally strap on my boots and play better than the guys wearing the Timbers jerseys. Ever since Agnello was hired, it's been a breath of fresh air (and not without controversy, of course, I'm not going to pretend Agnello's a savior who does no wrong), and this team feels rejuvenated. They might not be screaming out of the gate, but there's a fertile scent on the wind. The days ahead are full of promise, and undefeated at home is not a bad way to start.

Download the match schedule for the World Cup in the iCal-friendly .ics format. I set it up with time-zone support enabled, so all times should be local, no matter where you are.

Now you can plan your long lunches accordingly.

Oh dear lord, it's finally here.

such a long cold winter. reading the rediculously detailed updates from Bob. listening to each audio tidbit, interview, and discussion from the 107 report. waiting forever to finally see the revamped team, purged of dead weight and grafted, cyborg-like, with youthful newcomers. Scot, Hugo, and Byron are the core skeleton, and Luke, Drew, Michael, and who knows, Mamba, Guti, Orel could all be the adrenaline shot plunged into the sternum with a stab--stabbing motion.

yes, how it was a long, difficult slog, our only spots of warmth coming from watching the UP women beat the pants off, well, everybody and bring home the championship, and the US men beating Mexico 2-0 to qualify for Germany 06. OK, there were probably some pretty enjoyable EPL mornings at the Horse Brass. Oh, and how could i forget how it warmed my heart to see Fulham stuff Chelsea like a rag doll full of newsprint. Fuck Chelsea, man. Chelsea is where good talent goes to die.

but i digress. it certainly was a long winter of discontent (go with me on this), but now spring has begun and THE FUCKING TIMBERS ARE BACK!!!! YEAAAAHAHHHHHH!!!1!!ONE!!!1! and it's TWO games, back to back! God, will my throat be sore and my liver ready to go on strike. Friday, May 5th, it's Vancouver, who always are tough to beat (the Timbers unfortunately lost a tough season opener away at Vancouver last week 1-0, video highlights here), and Saturday, it's Minnesota coming into the piggy, who are pretty unknown this early in the season, having undergone their own episode of Pimp My Soccer Team.

Oh, and i can't forget, this year an industrious Army member has developed their own Official Timbers Army Intoxicating Beverage, the No Pity Pale Ale. *sniff*.... It's so beautiful, i can't hold back these tears. these tears of joy. These are truly The Best Fans On The Goddamn Planet.

Friday, May 5th, PGE Park. 7pm kickoff. Scream until you die.

(for a better, less fanboy preview, check the timberlog)