By AVI CREDITOR
Just days after the Vancouver Whitecaps unveiled their new crest, the other soon-to-be Major League Soccer franchise in the Pacific Northwest has done the same.
The Portland Timbers revealed their new logo over the weekend, one that has an evolved look from the USSF Division 2 side's current one.
Here's a video produced by the team that celebrates the franchise's history and eventually shows the new crest (fast forward to the 2:44 mark):
What do you think of the new look for Portland? Excited for the Northwest rivalries to reach the MLS stage?
Share your thoughts below.
The new crest isn’t a crest at all, it is a logo. Also, it looks like crap. I am embarassed for the organization. Hopefully they will find a way to rectify this situation.
Here is a video of the unveiling (warning, chanted cuss words): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaVsiCIEMEo
I think it’s partly an issue of Merritt saying to himself “How do we get people to go buy all new Timbers merchandise?”
Agreed. Most of the people I spoke to at the event thought it was a solid logo; the minority in this case seems to be the most vocal one, however.
“It’s not that bad” is not a positive statement. It’s a meh statement. Considering most of those at the unveiling probably had never been to a Timbers game in their life it’s not surprising they don’t think a cartoon badge is all that bad.
Not only does this thing look cartoony, but it is supposed to replace a logo that by many accounts is very good AND is decades old.
It would have been great to have that in the league. Would have been really unique.
I like this logo and I like Portland’s showmanship.
‘Tis distinctly meh, this new crest.
Who cares. They’re going to be Galaxy’s whipping boy.
I like the Whitecaps logo better. The new Timbers logo is awkward and “plastic” looking. Trying to hard to look modern.
Definately looks like a triple-A baseball or minor-league ice hockey logo. I would expect to see something like this on the team store, but not on the front of a kit.
Also I think the “Portland Timbers” wordmark is way too big and the font is too “futuristic” looking I guess.
I’m sure a bunch of little kids will like this logo and think it’s cool.
What do you expect from ACES members ?
Not much and that is what we got.
I like it, but 2:55 minutes is too long to tell the story. Do it in 1 minute.
They are leaving behind minor league soccer, but a major league crest…now they will be playing in MLS with a minor league crest. This thing is hideous, far worse than Vancouver, at least that thing can be seen as a soccer crest. This Portland crest looks like a minor league baseball team emblem. Pure garbage. I’m excited for the team but I was certainly hoping for better. Sad day.
Why change the logo? there old logo looked way better and had tradition and history behind it. Like someone else said it looks like a minor league baseball logo or something. absolutly awful! there was no need to change it.
some people have done quick redesigns putting the chevrons back into the circle and honestly thats the most offensive part, just get it back into a circle and you should be a little happier
thank you for saying something about the stupid lineweights and 3d shadowing that goes on… terrible. everyone has sad it all, just soooooo disappointing. sorry timbers fans.
Portscum who?
Please don’t say “The TA, did not like it and voiced their displeasure…” Every supporters group has a few people that have done stupid things and make the whole group look bad. We need to be smart about this and realize the entire SG wasn’t there chanting. Some people liked it but we obviously didn’t hear from them.
It’s not a good crest and I hope the situation can be resurrected.
The old one was better.
i liked the old one better. Expressed there was history with the club.
I loved the old logo but I think this is a good replacement and will grow on us here in Soccer City USA — the axe looking like a big “T” dominating the logo is what I think we’ll eventually come to really like. Agree with the commenters who say that soccer fans hate any change, and the Timbers were blessed with having one of the best logos in soccer …
Tree killers. I’m sure the tree just loves being next to the axe. What’s next Utah Strip Miners? Gulf Tar Balls?
After browsing the SoccerCityUSA forum and reading some of the discontent, I’m a bit more on the side of those that don’t like it. That being said, a sweet “compromise” logo/emblem has been proffered up that I really like:
http://www.corporatehq.org/take4.jpg
More cowbell on that logo! Wait minute… How about a bigger axe and some concentric circles? LOL? Portland deserves a crappy logo.
Disappointed because I loved the old one. I’m surprised at how strong my opinion is about this. I was expecting something tougher looking. This looks it could be the sign in front of my local mall.
Dear american pro sports teams: Please stop this trend of 3D shadowing. It’s not hip, and it makes you look like you used late 90s online logo software.
Old Logo was way better. Awesome video though. To bad the ending sucked.
I was at the unveiling, the vocal part of the crowd, ie: the TA, did not like it and voiced their displeasure enthusiastically, but I have to say that the buzz of conversation I heard all around me after the initial reaction was fairly positive, lots of “it’s not THAT bad…”. I think it’s just a case of footie fans disliking change of any sort. Personally I think the crest is fine.
Agree with those who liked the old one better, but I can deal with it.
Go Timbers!
For all the build-up this is a pretty poor crest, almost as hokey as the US soccer one. I appreciate the thought behind it but the execution is well ho-hum. Can’t wait to see the clash of colors when they face seattle.
meh, lackluster, prefer the white caps new one and i support TFC
Old logo was better, why must teams go w/ “modern” logos? Classic always trumps edgy.
Why not save us the time it took to watch that crap video and post a picture of cow dung…
they really f**ked this up in my opinion.. their USL crest wasn’t perfect but it was almost there but they basically hired some design firm to make it look like a NHL logo. Sucks, hope PDX faithful can get the FO to reconsider what was one of the best crest in american footy history.
like the use of the axe, but the linework feels waaayy to heavy/clumsy in the background. Logotype feels forced into the shape as well.
I think the old one is much better. Was there a issue with the rights or did they just want to update?
I’m not a Timbers fan, but I would be a little mad. I really liked the old one.
It’s fine to me. Barely any different from the old one, and yet there is a youtube clip of people at the unveiling chanting “you f*cked up” and other disagreeable sentiments.
I’m liking the new logo…too bad it got leaked early and ruined any chance for the FO to make a good impression.
if they’d skipped those ‘we’re protecting traditions’ videos, I’d be less offended. I’d still hate the new logo, but I’d be less offended.
Merritt Paulson is lucky to have us.
Rose City Til I DIE!
Old logo was better I like Vancouvers more.
New crest feels like Portland was trying to hard to do something new and modern but incorporated classic elements. doesn’t work at all. poor.
I don’t really care about the logo. The video was really good, whoever made that probably could make child slavery look good.
are you kidding me? this is waaaay better than the whitecaps stuff that seems to be drawn by a 6 year old. Green is not my favorite color but I’m not from Portland so, good stuff for them!
old logo better imho
Weak sauce. The old logo wasn’t broke and therefore hardly worth fixing.
sweet video, i like the logo
Looks like something out of minor league baseball. I much prefer the Vancouver Logo. Whitecaps for the win!
we are the timbers
A much better logo than Vancouver’s. It’s an updated, modernized version of the current logo, and it looks great. It keeps the colors and the elements (the axe and chevrons) while making it look new and fresh. One of the better sports logo overhauls (most end up looking like a cartoon or just utter crap).
WAY WAY better than the new whitecaps logo… but still like the origianl timbers logo better. still not bad.
love it!