Portland Timbers

The Portland Tribune, Sep 25, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

The Timbers developed great chemistry as they threatened to win it all this season.

“We were a complete unit,” veteran defender Scot Thompson says. “We all hung out, spent a lot of time together off the field. All our wives and girlfriends hung out. It was a huge family. No animosity at all between anyone.

“I love this team to death.”

• Atlanta coach Jason Smith knew his team dodged bullets in Sunday’s 3-1 win on penalties in the league semifinals. Portland had an 11-1 edge in fair to very good chances during regulation and a 4-1 advantage in 30 minutes of overtime – but couldn’t score. “I don’t think we played our best soccer,” Smith says, “and Portland played an outstanding match. We just battled to stay in it.”

Atlanta advanced to Saturday’s final at Seattle after Andrew Gregor hit the post on Portland’s first PK. Luke Kreamalmeyer was wide left on the third try and goalie Ryan McIntosh cradled Lawrence Olum’s shot at waist level.

• Coach Gavin Wilkinson built the Timbers on defense and a defensive mentality – the concern from Day One was whether Portland had enough firepower. Goals weren’t easy to come by, especially when the team wasn’t getting corner kicks and free kicks in scoring range. In the end, the lack of finishing touch was the club’s downfall. “We obviously need to find some players who can put the ball in the back of the net,” Wilkinson says.

• Wilkinson ripped the referee for failing to give Portland forward Bryan Jordan a penalty kick on a play in regulation. “I think the referee was cowardly, pathetic,” he says.

Wilkinson also was upset that the ref had the penalty kicks taken at the south end of the stadium, away from the Timbers Army fan club and the rest of the crowd. “In seven years here, we’ve always taken penalties at the (north) end. That’s why you play for homefield advantage. And you want the excitement of the crowd to be part of it. The referee owes this organization, the owner, the players and myself an apology.”

– Steve Brandon

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