Portland Timbers U-23 Match Day

The stadium was loud today, but it wasn't your average Timbers crowd. The next generation of Timbers Army filled PGE Park with screams and jeers, as local elementary school kids came to learn about the benefits of exercise and healthy diets while taking in a good match that the Timbers U-23 team seemed to dominate. The Timbers played host to Health and Fitness Soccer Day, presented by the good people at Providence Health & Services, today at PGE Park as the Timbers took on the Tacoma Tide. The official attendance was 2247, making it the largest crowd to ever see a Timbers U-23 match.

Paul "Bim" Ogenyemi scored the first goal in the 28th minute and the Timbers was dominating the field by holding possession and making solid attacks. The Timbers out shot Tacoma 21-9, but it started to feel like Saturday, as Tacoma seemed to start to attack. In the final ten minutes a Timber was pulled down in the box, it seemed to be an obvious PK to no avail. Then in the final minute of the game in a the opposite box a Tide player was pulled down to the turf and a PK was awarded. The kids booed and began to riot as they pulled apart the seats and searched for any available missile to fire towards the pitch. Tear gas filled PGE Park as riot police tried clam the very aggressive crowd. Ok, I'm kidding, the kids did not break or throw anything but their boos were as loud as a regular game day. Rory Agu lined up to take the PK and did his best Baggio impression sending the ball well over the cross bar and at the people in the MAC Club balcony ducking it was so high. The kids erupted in cheers as the final whistle blew moments later.

Timber Joey was in full force as the kids loved his chainsaw antics and followed him as he led them in chants. For those who were worried that the Army may not be loud or louder in the future, there is no chance of that, as it was obvious by way the kids hung unto the action on the field. Many players from the regular squad were there signing autographs all over the stadium and even as the kids filed out. If I was a kid on this field trip, I would have considered it the best field trip ever, especially for kids who may never get a chance to attend a match. The Timbers organization and Providence Health Systems put together an excellent match and educational experience for local youth. I am happy many future TA, were born today.


-we had some technical glitches with the first post. So I had to try and rewrite the first report.