You're going home in a Portland ambulance

My current favorite string of commercials ends with the tagline "Hockey fans aren't like regular fans."  The implication being that we're rowdy, we're bawdy, and we've probably practiced yanking an opponent's jersey over his her head to better incapacitate them mid-brawl.  The commercial also -- correctly -- assumes that we think very highly of ourselves and our all-out lunatic fanhood. I think the same can be fairly said about soccer fans.

Last night found K and I at the season home opener of the PTFC - the Portland Timbers Football Club. My friends, the PTFC fans are amazing. Based on the longing looks in his eyes, I'm pretty sure that K has found his calling as a future member of the Timbers Army - the massive fan cheering section that lodges itself in section 107 of the stadium. Unlike most American soccer fans, the TA is sizeable, serious, and well organized. Their songs are smashing, and their devotion complete. For those of us on the World-Cup-in-2010 South-Africa-or-Bust bus (you know who you are), I think we should ransack and adapt the TA songs for the US national team, so we have something other than "America ... fuck yeah" in our repertoire. (Most of the chants can be found here).

Although the Timbers won last night, it was on a bittersweet note. Last night was the last game for Timber Jim, the Timbers' Icon and spiritual captain of the team.  Timber Jim is an actual lumberjack in his mid-fifties who leads every game with backflips and a massive drum, who wields a functional chainsaw, periodically rapels from the stadium rafters, scales an 80-foot pool, and cuts slabs off a massive log to celebrate each goal scored by the Timbers. In short, Timber Jim is awesome; the ultimate soccer fan. 

[That's a very real, very functioning chain saw. TImber Jim does not mess around with props.]

[Timber Jim's timber making its way onto the pitch.]

[The Timbers Army hearts Timber Jim]

Bonus comic coverage of the Timbers Army.

Comments

[Kristien]

We have to start practicing songs for South Africa NOW. The 2006 songs were pitiful. This looks like so much fun. If E.J. and I lived in Portland he would definitely want to join Keil in the Timbers Army. Reminds me of the Tokyo Giants outfield fan section we sat in last summer...extremely organized madness!

[shannon in oregon]

Timber Jim is amazing to watch scale up the "tree" to cut some off. He was a real lumber man prior to his stint as the mascot. Loved watching him!!!