I need to rant a bit

Discussion in 'Portland Timbers' started by Natebishop3, May 6, 2011.

  1. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I've never been a die hard soccer fan, but I've followed soccer in Portland since I was a kid. I went to a bunch of Portland Pride games in the 90's, and I've been to a number of Timbers games since probably around 2003. Mostly I love the World Cup though.

    With that said, it's really kind of annoying how many people are suddenly Timbers fans since they went to the MLS. I've seen so many updates on Twitter and Facebook about people going to games that I know for a fact never gave a rats ass about soccer or the Timbers until this season.

    Now the Timbers and soccer are "hip" and I feel like all these people are only supporting the team because it is the trendy thing to do right now. Is it because it's "new"? Where were these people eight year ago? Five years ago? Hell, even two years ago?
     
  2. OSUBlazerfan

    OSUBlazerfan Writing Team

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    Well i can give you my personal explanation.

    First thing is, i totally agree with you but from a different point of view. Im kind of upset of the non-soccer fans who are now "soccer" fans, not the non-timber fans.

    Ive been a huge soccer fan all my life and i mostly watch the romanian league, premier league, champions league, and europa league. I never cared about the timbers because they were in the USL and i didnt give a shit aout the MLS because the product was TERRIBLE. But in the last few years, the play has drastically improved and i really hope it continues to improve. So i will continue to support the timbers and the team and it gives me something to do in the dire summer months.
     
  3. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Well that's really what I'm talking about man. Most of these people that I see going to the games don't even watch sports at all, but they now suddenly follow the Timbers because it's hip and trendy and cool to follow local soccer. I don't know if it's because they're in the MLS now, or what, but these "fans" are coming out of the woodwork. Bunch of bike riding, skinny jean wearing, PBR drinking, coffee house lounging Portland hipsters. They hate sports, but they looooove the Timbers :devilwink:
     
  4. OSUBlazerfan

    OSUBlazerfan Writing Team

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    Hahah... i can see what your getting at and i sorta agree. But as long as ticket prices dont get too high, and pge park is rocking, i wont complain too much.

    Nver knew you were a big soccer fan, thats cool.

    Soccer is #1 for me. Bball 1a, football 1b
     
  5. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I LOVE the world cup. I've never watched much of the EPL , but I've followed Portland soccer for a long time. I just haven't been a rabid sports fan for a while now. I like the Ducks, Blazers, and Timbers. Sometimes the NFL, but only when I'm in the mood.
     
  6. Wheels

    Wheels Is That A Challenge?!?!1! Staff Member Global Moderator

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    New fans will always come and check things out when something is new.. we actually refer to them as Customers lol. I dont mean this to put the Timbers Army above anything, cause for me the Timbers >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Being Timbers Army... but these people have been fed by the news how awesome, and passionate, and intense the Timbers Army is, so there is kind of (for lack of a better word) a certain Celebrity about the TA.. people wanna check it out. Some of these new fans will grow and love the Timbers and the beautiful game, and some will move on once they get bored.

    But also Soccer is a growing sport in the US, so there will be new fans for a long time. I try and remember that even 3 seasons ago I was a noob with this Timbers stuff too.

    Just look at the Jump from USL days to MLS with Seattle, now THATS a spike in attendance :lol:
     
  7. GriLtCheeZ

    GriLtCheeZ "Well, I'm not lookin' for trouble."

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    The Timbers needed the new fans in order go "major league". They need someone to buy shirts and key chains and all that stuff. The skinny jean wearing cool kids are not the ones filling up the Key Bank Club. I really don't think the hipster quotient is any higher then last season actually. If anything it's lower than last year. Aren't the skinny jean wearing PBR drinking hipsters known also to be underemployed? How do they afford "major league" ticket prices? I really don't even know why you threw an anti hipster rant into this post at all. I've read anti hipster posts from you before so I'm just assuming it's just a personal bias of yours. I think they are kinda ridiculous too (says the tragically unhip Baracuda who secretly hopes that unhip becomes the new hip: ) But their attendance at games is just a reflection of Portland itself. I'm happy that the team is adding new fans to an already strong foundation.

    Signed native Portlander and OG TA/Cascade Rangers
     
  8. GriLtCheeZ

    GriLtCheeZ "Well, I'm not lookin' for trouble."

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    Sorry dog, but if you wanted better soccer in the US, you shoulda been supporting the Timbers all along.
    I've suffered through some bad soccer over the years :lol:

    Peace :cheers:
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2011
  9. <-=*PdX*=->

    <-=*PdX*=-> RCTID

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    I see it this way. I am a HUGE baseball fan. I travel to St. Louis to watch my favorite team play. But, I never really cared about the Beavers. I would go to a game or so a season but that was about it. Minor leagues are just not entertaining. If MLB ever came to the city, I would be the first one to buy season tickets.

    I think a lot of that is what happened with the Timbers. You had a bunch of people that wanted to follow a sport that was much more accessible (TV, and such) and on a much more national scale. Thats what you have with MLS.

    And what is wrong with new fans? Teams don't exist without attracting new fans. Do you not feel the same way about the Blazers? What about their recent success selling out the Garden again after it was empty for years? To me, you have an elitist attitude with this take. You want your cake and to eat it also. The Timbers have the best home crowd in AMERICAN soccer. THAT is saying something and it would not be possible without the new fans.
     
  10. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Well, I don't really care for front runners. If that's elitist, so be it. No, I don't like that the Rose Garden is selling out after many fans abandoned the team from about 2002 until about 2007. You're either a fan or you're not. This city is notorious for jumping on and off the band wagon depending on how good the team is. Worse yet, they use a cop out excuse like the team has bad character. Most of those people had no problem supporting the team when they had JR Rider, and Sheed, and Damon when we were winning. I watched most of the fans abandon the team after Drexler, Kersey, and Porter in the mid 90's, only to return when we shocked the world and dropped Utah in the playoffs in 98-99.

    With that said, I don't think that's necessarily what's happening with the Timbers. This is something completely different. Many of these people don't watch or support any other sports. That's not front running, but I think a lot of these people will fall off as it loses it's "cool" and "newness".
     
  11. Wheels

    Wheels Is That A Challenge?!?!1! Staff Member Global Moderator

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    this though is true with alot of long time Timbers Army members. Part of the reason Soccer is so loved here (IMO) is Soccer is kind of a counterculture sport. And Portland fits that definition as well. There is a difference of a big time Soccer fan and big time Football fan IMO (I love both dont worry) But Soccer there is more grace, and more of a need to be cerebral.. with Football there is a lot more emphasis on speed and hitting. And there are a lot of fans who arent drawn to the hitting and speed emphasis. Take my younger twin brothers. One is a HUGE Football nut, he likes Soccer too but he is kind of a meathead for lack of a better word. He like Soccer but isnt as drawn into the Timbers as his other twin. The other twin is more of a cerebral person and not a meathead. He likes Basketball, and football but doesnt borderline obsess with Football like the other. Yet he is ALL IN on the Timbers, and I mean all in. He has bought into the enjoyment of the beautiful game and the grace and technical ability that is needed to be great at this game. Yet he doesnt follow other sports very much. And he has been hooked for a few years on the Timbers.

    I guess the point of my long rant is, there are a lot of people in the TA especially that dont follow other sports. But have poured their heart into Timbers for a looooong time. Whether it be the game that draws them to it, or the "counter culture" I dont know. But they havent dropped off.
     
  12. ehizzy3

    ehizzy3 RIP mgb

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    I look at it as everyone is new sometime or another.
     
  13. RR7

    RR7 Well-Known Member

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    I agree with PDX above and his MLB comparison. A lot of people just don't care too much for minor league, sort of second rate sports, but will support major leagues. Not that that is all that is happening with the Timbers. Some of it is likely just because it is cool. Of course, it's cool because it's new and major league. I dunno. I had a friend complaining about this as well, and didn't see a big issue. Now, if they were 3 years into MLS, with minimal support, and then they were all of a sudden title contenders, I could see complaining.
     
  14. The Professional Fan

    The Professional Fan Big League Scrub

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    I'm a 100% convert to soccer and to the Timbers. Three reasons: 1. The world cup this last summer drew me in big time. With the help of Ronan and Wheels I was able to see soccer really for the first time. I owe a lot to those two guys. 2. I went to the Timbers/Sounders game last season in then PGE Park. It was my first Timbers game ever. I was blown away by the energy and the rivalry. I loved it. 3. The Timbers joined the MLS. With this we have a completely renovated stadium, nationally televised games, and a sold out venue of crazy mother fuckers. And my wife bought me season tix for x-mas.

    So yes. I am a fan. This time last year I couldn't give a shit about soccer. Now I'm a dork. I'm absolutely nervous and excited about tomorrow's game vs the Sounders, and I'm in no way ashamed about it. Fans can materialize out of many places. As long as they're in it for the long haul, I have no problem with people like me. :)
     
  15. GriLtCheeZ

    GriLtCheeZ "Well, I'm not lookin' for trouble."

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    I picked out a couple of these for you, I hope you like them:
    :cheers::ghoti::breakdance::goal::welcome::supporter::werd::blazerwookie::smiley-family:
     
  16. Wheels

    Wheels Is That A Challenge?!?!1! Staff Member Global Moderator

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    :party: I accept Paypal or 30 minute incriments of HCP's wife. [​IMG]
     
  17. Wheels

    Wheels Is That A Challenge?!?!1! Staff Member Global Moderator

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    but in all seriousness I'm just glad to help. Not everyday you get a full on convert for the work you put in :)
     
  18. Wheels

    Wheels Is That A Challenge?!?!1! Staff Member Global Moderator

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    oh and well said! :cheers:
     
  19. Wheels

    Wheels Is That A Challenge?!?!1! Staff Member Global Moderator

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    ok post padding done I swear
     
  20. The Professional Fan

    The Professional Fan Big League Scrub

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    Post padding dominates!

    I even changed my facebook profile pic to the the Timbers logo. I'm getting so much shit from my friends. I've always been an NBA/NFL hardcore Americana. All my friends are the same. I don't give a shit what they think. I'm hooked, baby. I can't wait for tomorrow. I even invited one of my buddies to watch the game with me. He accepted. Another convert? Perhaps......
     

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