By JOSE M. ROMERO
The Seattle vs. Portland soccer rivalry that goes back to the NASL days has a new chapter after the Timbers unveiled a billboard Thursday proclaiming the Rose City as "Soccer City, USA" mere blocks from the home of the Sounders, Qwest Field.
The photo above was taken from the Timbers' Facebook page. It has spawned another war of words between supporters of the two clubs, one side that has set the standard for fan support (if only in sheer numbers) in Major League Soccer, and the other which has yet to complete its USSF-Division II season, its last before going to MLS next season.
A lot of Sounders fans are outraged and have responded with past results in games against Portland. Timbers fans are gloating over the symbolic banner planted in the heart of enemy territory.
The Timbers use the slogan "Soccer City, USA," on ads and billboards around the Portland area. Yet MLS Commissioner Don Garber gave Seattle the moniker in the days leading up to the MLS Cup final in Seattle last November.
Both towns, separated by about three hours by car, can lay claim to the title based on their rabid fan bases. But there's no arguing that the billboard, right on a major thoroughfare near downtown Seattle, is a salvo of gutsy proportions. It's like the white challenge glove to the face in the dueling days of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.
It's not like the flames of this rivalry need any further stoking. The two cities were rivals in USL days and had some memorable matches, and that carried over to 2009 and 2010 when Seattle won both U.S. Open Cup matches at Portland's PGE Park. Both games were hotly contested and featured some gamesmanship even before kickoff.
The two will go at it in the same league next season, along with another Northwest MLS entry, the Vancouver Whitecaps. The billboard is only a precursor of what the commissioner and many other soccer fans are hoping for from the Pacific Northwest.
What do you think of Portland's decision to plant a banner in Seattle Sounders territory? Looking forward to the first MLS meeting between these teams? What do you see Seattle doing to retaliate?
Share your thoughts below.
Funny! But seriously, who would want to be known as soccer city when you could be MASSIVE. Besides we can’t afford billboards, we just paint the sides of our horse trailers. MASSIVE COLUMBUS!
‘Cheeky’ – good Lord I hate that word. I picture some English woman with bad teeth saying it, not a male.
Looks to me like Washington has a worse meth problem than Oregon.
http://www.atg.wa.gov/page.aspx?id=11704
Focussing on soccer, and not marketing ploys.
This is great. I’m a Man U fan, but I still though the “Welcome to Manchester, Carlos” banner when Tevez moved to City was pretty funny.
The Cascades Rivalry will be the best in the MLS by far. I cant wait to travel to Vancouver and Portland for games and they better not make them on Thursday nights as that will be a stupid decision. The Sounders got screwed with too many Sunday night and Thursday games this year as we only had 3/4 home games on Fri/Sat which is stupid. The billboard was well played Paulson, well played.
Great move Timbers! This reminds me of the Tevez billboards plastered in Manchester last year. A bit cheeky and not so subtle, but well played.
As an outsider, I love both cities and respect their fan support. I can’t wait for Portland and Vancouver to join next year and witness these intense rivalries continue.
Calssy and sweetly done Portland. Simple and subtle, like a Mack truck. Great to see you guys reminding Seattle they’re not so alone anymore. Looking fwd to seeing the long storied Pacific Northwest rivalries go full blast next year. Cheers from NY.
Portland Fans once again supporting Sounders more than there own team. Pathetic Meth heads
I wouldn’t spend money in Seattle. That place looks and smells like a dump! Almost as bad as Toronto.
B*tchslap!
I keep forgetting that Vancouver is coming in next season too.
What the hell are they doing up there?
Very clever way to market the teams there. Why haven’t other MLS teams thought of this?
best blog post and comments I have read in a while. Dang, I need to move NW.
hahaha that is great!
I love it! If I didn’t already have a team, something like this would make me choose Portland to support.
Jose I think you left out the fact that this rivalry goes back 35 years.
http://www.youtube.com/user/DroppingTimber?feature=mhum#p/u/0/Kr7Ade8k5Jw
Poor sap pumping gas? Those guys are getting high on the fumes all day, its a blissful life.
Aww yeah, its so on.
The moniker now seems to apply to the entire soccer scene. I’ll one up you with two UP women’s soccer national titles.
You were doing fine up until the last point. Some just can’t seem to keep major league sports around. Durant looked spiffy today in Turkey…
Plus, this was the doing of the Timbers FO, NOT the Timbers Army. Let’s hope the ECS keep that in mind.
Which just might be the last time they made a deep run into anything
The real question is:
How long does the billboard stay up in its current form before it’s either defaced or irrevocably altered in some way, shape, or form?
I don’t see the ECS letting this one stand without something happening.
Go Sounders. Can’t wait till next year, when the truth will be clear—Portland is a minor league town, and until they act major league, they won’t compete.
+1 for the gas reference. Timber fan here,and I can’t wait till it kicks off for real. I do have to admit that the Sounders have had the better of us of late, but things can change.
Those Oregonians are arrogant but I like their style and the whole staying in your car while some poor sap pumps your gas thing isn’t so bad after all.
The moniker started when the Timbers ran deep in the playoffs of their inaugural season in the NASL.
I’m just glad that they used that crest on the billboard instead of the crappy one they originally came out with. I think that’s a good sign that they will adopt this one, which is more like the original.
Ballsy
and several of us who live in seattle do as well. Suck one Seattle
Yeah, those of us who live in Portland do.
Not a Timber’s fan, but I love it. It’s in your face, but not quite as obnoxious as “Welcome to Manchester” poster with Tevez in Manchester City uniform.
well done, portscum. well done.
you can’t seem to hang any banners in your own stadium, so might as well put some up in seattle…we have so many already, it’s good to add diversity.
go sounders.
It’s worth a chuckle, but does anyone honestly consider Portland “Soccer City USA?” That’s a resounding NO.
Did you see Portland during the world cup? It looks like soccer city to me.
I’d usually say words are cheap, but not on billboards in downtown seattle lol
funny stuff, can’t be taken seriously, just like the timbers
It’s like a mile from downtown to Qwest but the last few blocks are less downtown cosmopolitan and more industrial looking.
They should develop home grown players on both sides.
Build a bonfire, build a bonfire!! SW WA Timbers fan and I cannot wait for the three way Cascadia rivalry to return at full bore. This billboard gives me goose bumps.
Hey Jose, in case you didn’t know, Portland has been known as “Soccer City U.S.A.” since the NASL days. You make it sound like it was something they recently concocted and proclaimed.
I think it’s cheeky and funny. I hope the rivalry remains as such: cheeky and funny in good humor.
That’s awesome!
Woo go Portland Sounders, show them Seattle Timbers how its done!
“major thoroughfare near downtown seattle”
is that street really a major one? looks small-townish.
I’m a sounders season ticket holder, and i think it’s fantastic. Makes me sad i had to move this month away from the PAC NW . Next year is going to be cracking
I’m a Sounders fan, and I think it’s hilarious. Well-done, Portland!
It’s all in good fun. I am sure there will be a return volley as well 😉
Those customers in Seattle make me laugh.
Man, this is gonna be fun!
I think it’s great gamesmanship and it has me even more excited for next year.
i like how the owner is the one adding fuel to the fire, not just the fans.
Those are fighting words!
Hey, you know what, next time they win a game that counts against Seattle, maybe I’ll care. Until then, I’m happy to see them spending money in Seattle. Nothing like a boost to our economy from our little brother.