Merry Christmas Timbers fans

Have a good one, and pour in some extra bourbon in your Tom and Jerry for me.

If you are looking for some soccer related reading today, be sure to check out ESPN's team of the decade.

Portland Timbers MLS Stadium Renovation Revealed

The views are a look at the seats on the east side of the stadium along the Max line. This east side section will feature an additional 4,000 seats and include premium seats with full amenities including a restaurant.

Portland Timbers Stadium Renovation Details

• The field will be shifted to be closer to the fans. Imagine the whole pitch moving closer to the dugouts and where home plate is now. The fans in the stands will be right on top of the action.
  
• The grassy knoll in the baseball out field will be replaced with modern seating that features a roof to protect fans and premium seats with a restaurant, for people who like that kind of stuff.
  
• The stadium will remain open to 18th street and the views of the city from within the stadium will be preserved.
• A new team store will be constructed and open year around.
• A newer and bigger video board will be hung in the south end along the MAC building.
  
• Seating capacity will total 20,000 with the ability to open up 4,000 more seats.
• Last but not least, you are looking at what will be the most unique and possibly the coolest soccer venue in the US.
  

For the full details go to portlandmls2011.com

Bulgarian Football Action

Donovan signs four year contract with MLS

Landon Donovan and the LA Galaxy reached agreement on a four year deal, so he will stay with the MLS until 2013. We will be seeing Landon Donovan play in Portland two years from now!

Donovan will also be on loan to Everton for 10 weeks, giving him a good chance to preview some of his World Cup competition when Team USA faces England in June.

More information: http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/donovan-to-stay-with-galaxy-four-more-years/

Wigan free kick goal from half field

Timbers Sign First Free Agent Quavas Kirk

The Portland Timbers announced their first free agent signing for the 2010 season, 21 year old Quavas Kirk. Quavas Kirk has played four seasons in the MLS for the Galaxy, and DC united. He was waived by United in 2009, and played for the Minnesota Thunder. Kirk was a top player for the US U-17 team, scoring 22 goals in 53 games.
Quavas Kirk Quick Bio

• Age: 21
• Height: 6 ft 1 in
• Position: Midfielder
• Previous Teams
• LA Galaxy 2006-2008
• DC United 2008-2009
• Minnesota Thunder 2009

Some footage of his DC days...

2010 World Cup Group C Video Summary

Worst Soccer Shot Miss

Bet on Football for Free

Check out CentSports.com, it's a free (ad-supported) betting site that pays out real money. They spot you a dime, and then you can make bets on soccer matches, as well as the NBA, football and other sports.I've got 10 cents riding on a 3 bet parlay to win 55 cents. Let us know if you sign up and what you're betting on.

Portland Timbers Returning for the 2010 Season

The list of returning Timbers is not set in stone, but we can list some players that we can expect to see in 2010. We will keep this list updated as more news is available.

• Gavin Wilkinson Head coach - Gavin will again be the head coach heading into the 2010 USL campaign.
• Steve Cronin Goalkeeper - After the 2009 season Cronin was put on loan to MLS side DC United. He played the final three matches of the MLS season and recieved positive reviews for his performance.
• Scot Thompson Defender - Scot with one T has been with the Timbers since the 2005 season and all signs point to his return in 2010.
• Brian Farber Midfielder - The former Beaver is spending his off season playing professional indoor for the California Cougars. This past Sunday Farber was the star, as he scored a hat trick and added two assists in a Cougars win.
  
• Mandjou Keita Forward - The 2009 USL leading scorer is on loan to Salgaocar of the top professional league of India, the I-league.
  
• Ryan Pore Midfielder
• Tony Mcmanus Midfielder
• Johan Claesson Midfielder
• Takayuki Suzuki Forward
  
• George Josten Forward

World Cup 2010 Group C Statistics,

England
World Cup Appearances 12
Champion 1966
Matches Played 55
Won 25
Draw 17
Loss 13
USA
World Cup Appearances 8
Matches Played 25
Won 6
Draw2
Loss 1
Algeria
World Cup Appearances 2
Matches Played 6
Won 2
Draw 1
Loss 3
Slovenia
World Cup Appearances 1
Matches Played 3
Won 0
Draw 0
Loss 3

2010 World Cup The Final Draw

This is the final groupings of the 2010 World Cup. The first match will be on June 11th with hosts South Africa facing our southern rival Mexico. The US will face England for their first match of the cup on June 12th. The US's group is not so bad and is definitely not the group of death we faced in 2006.

Group A

• South Africa
• Mexico
• Uruguay
  
• France
  

Group B

• Argentina
• Nigeria
  
• South Korea
• Greece

Group C

• England
• USA
• Algeria
• Slovenia

Group D

• Germany
• Australia
  
• Serbia
  
• Ghana

Group E

• Netherlands
• Denmark
  
• Japan
• Cameroon

Group F

• Italy
• Paraguay
  
• New Zealand
• Slovakia
  

Group G

• Brazil
• North Korea
• Ivory Coast
• Portugal
  

Group H

• Spain
• Switzerland
  
• Honduras
• Chile

Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
-Winston Churchill

Tomorrow The Final Draw 2010 World Cup

Every four years the fate of 32 nations is chosen.
This Friday at 9:00AM PST these 32 nations will find out who they face in the first round of the 2010 World Cup, and so the fate for the Cup begins. We will post the results when they happen.

The Final Draw
9:00 AM ESPN2

The First Annual Official Dropping Timber 2009 Gift Guide

The holidays are here, so grab a beer and show us some cheer! This is the first annual Official Dropping Timber 2009 Gift Guide. It is a time of giving, so give that fanatic in your life something special or if you are the fanatic give that someone special in your life gifts that only you can cherish.

Footballer's Haircuts

Footballer's Haircuts is the definitive guide to the hairstyle choices of British players through the ages. This book features the perms, the alopecia, the bowl cuts and the downright awesome style choices made by your favorite footballers. This book is intense!

ACES Scarf

The ACES scarf is the must have item of any season. Sold out in most stores, the only way to get this one before Christmas may be to buy some yarn and start knitting. Just remember nothing says F*ck Shittle like an Aces scarf. Warning wearing this scarf in some venues may get you expelled from that venue, regardless of your 1st amendment rights.

Victory
Sylvester Stallone, Pele, Micheal Cain, Bobby Moore the list goes on this star studded extravaganza may be one of the greatest contributions to the art of film. Or maybe not.

Ebbsfleet UnitedOwn your own football club in this daring adventure organized by fans in the UK. Around 30,000 people put their money together and bought British fifth division club Ebbsfleet United. The members who pay an annual fee can get on inside pass into the workings of a real club. The members vote on issues such as promotions, transfers, lineups and even ticket prices. Your dream of owning a club just became a reality.

1994 US Replica Jersey

Nothing says I love soccer, more than a replica of the 1994 World Cup uniform worn by the US national team. It was bold and different, and it had stars on it. The color looked a lot like denim, maybe that was a tip of the hat to our Canadian neighbors, because you know Canadians love denim. People say Eskimos have 1000 words for snow, well Canadians have a 1000 words for denim. That's because they own a lot of denim. With that said, the US 94 jersey would be just right for that special Canuck in your life.

Fifa Official Rules of Soccer This book is chuck full of the raddest regulations and the hottest rules you will find on any book shelf. This gift may be best for anyone you know that works for Fifa or any other soccer ruling body, they could learn something.

Liverpool Beach Set

Nothing says fun in the sun, more than the Liverpool Beach Set. Whether your planning a trip to the coast or a trip to Anfield make sure you stock up on these beach essentials. The results can be legendary.

Stay tuned as we give you other great gift ideas, and shopping tips, such as how to use your body to remove customers in front of you line or how to use the Henry technique to steal whatever is within your reach. Happy holidays!