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Portland Timbers (NASL)
Encyclopedia
The Portland Timbers were a team in the North American Soccer League
(NASL) from 1975 to 1982. The name has been used by two other soccer franchises: the Timbers
of the WSA/APSL, Portland Timbers
of the USL and the current team
which began play as part of Major League Soccer
in 2011.
awarded an expansion franchise to Portland, Oregon
. The name was selected on March 8, 1975 from more than 3,000 entries in an open contest. They began play in 1975. In their inaugural season, the Timbers went to the championship game Soccer Bowl
but lost to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0. It was during this season that the Timbers endeared themselves to the City and Portland became known as "Soccer City USA". While the Timbers boasted some of the league's best fan support, they sometimes struggled on the field. Despite going to the championship game in their first season, they missed the playoffs in 1976 and 1977. In 1978, they went to the Conference Finals before falling to the New York Cosmos
. The team folded at the end of the 1982 season as player salaries outpaced team revenue. These Timbers established soccer as a sport in the greater Portland area. Their legacy lives on in the current Timbers following and the many thousands who continue to play and follow the game. Many of these Timbers continued to live in the area after their playing careers and helped establish the soccer as a vital local sport.
(1975-1976)
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL) from 1975 to 1982. The name has been used by two other soccer franchises: the Timbers
F.C. Portland
Portland Timbers, previously known as F.C. Portland, came into existence in 1985 as an independent U.S. soccer team based in Portland, Oregon. In 1989, the team adopted the name Portland Timbers. Portland was composed of both professional and amateur players. The amateur players largely came...
of the WSA/APSL, Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
of the USL and the current team
Portland Timbers (MLS)
The Portland Timbers are an American professional soccer club based in Portland, Oregon that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
which began play as part of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
in 2011.
History
In January 1975, the North American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
awarded an expansion franchise to Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. The name was selected on March 8, 1975 from more than 3,000 entries in an open contest. They began play in 1975. In their inaugural season, the Timbers went to the championship game Soccer Bowl
Soccer Bowl
The Soccer Bowl was the championship game of the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1983. The event was created by NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam who was trying to build a neutral-site championship event in the mold of the NFL's Super Bowl....
but lost to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0. It was during this season that the Timbers endeared themselves to the City and Portland became known as "Soccer City USA". While the Timbers boasted some of the league's best fan support, they sometimes struggled on the field. Despite going to the championship game in their first season, they missed the playoffs in 1976 and 1977. In 1978, they went to the Conference Finals before falling to the New York Cosmos
New York Cosmos
The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history...
. The team folded at the end of the 1982 season as player salaries outpaced team revenue. These Timbers established soccer as a sport in the greater Portland area. Their legacy lives on in the current Timbers following and the many thousands who continue to play and follow the game. Many of these Timbers continued to live in the area after their playing careers and helped establish the soccer as a vital local sport.
Year by Year
| Year | League | W | L | T | Pts | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | NASL | 16 | 6 | — | 138 | 1st, Western Division | Won Quarterfinal (Seattle Seattle Sounders (NASL) The Seattle Sounders were a U.S. professional soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1974, the team belonged to the North American Soccer League where it played both indoor and outdoor soccer. The team folded after the 1983 NASL outdoor season.-Stadium:The Sounders played at Memorial... ) Won Semifinal (St. Louis) Lost Soccer Bowl '75 Soccer Bowl The Soccer Bowl was the championship game of the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1983. The event was created by NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam who was trying to build a neutral-site championship event in the mold of the NFL's Super Bowl.... (Tampa Bay) |
14,503 |
| 1976 | NASL | 8 | 16 | — | 71 | 4th, Pacific Conference, Western Division | Did not qualify | 17,429 |
| 1977 | NASL | 10 | 16 | — | 98 | 4th, Pacific Conference, Western Division | Did not qualify | 13,216 |
| 1978 | NASL | 20 | 10 | — | 167 | 2nd, National Conference, Western Division | Won 1st Round (Washington Washington Diplomats The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Throughout their existence, the club played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium... ) Won Conference Semifinal (Vancouver Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL) The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home... ) Lost Conference Championship (Cosmos New York Cosmos The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history... ) |
11,803 |
| 1979 | NASL | 11 | 19 | — | 122 | 4th, National Conference, Western Division | Did not qualify | 11,172 |
| 1979/80 | NASL Indoor | Did not enter | ||||||
| 1980 | NASL | 15 | 17 | — | 133 | 4th, National Conference, Western Division | Did not qualify | 10,210 |
| 1980/81 | NASL Indoor | 10 | 8 | — | — | 2nd, Western Division | Lost 1st Round (Chicago Chicago Sting The Chicago Sting was an American professional soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sting played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1984 and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from in the 1982-83 season and again from 1984 to 1988... ) |
5,229 |
| 1981 | NASL | 17 | 15 | — | 141 | 3rd, Northwest | Lost 1st Round (San Diego) | 10,516 |
| 1981/82 | NASL Indoor | 7 | 11 | — | — | 2nd, National Conference, West Division | Did not qualify | 5,073 |
| 1982 | NASL | 14 | 18 | — | 122 | 4th, Western Division | Did not qualify | 8,786 |
Coaches
Vic CroweVic Crowe
Victor Herbert Crowe was a Wales international football player and later football manager.-Career:Crowe was born in Abercynon, South Wales but moved to Handsworth, Birmingham with his family when he was two years old...
(1975-1976)
- Brian TilerBrian TilerBrian Tiler was an English footballer. Tiler, a central defender, began his career at his hometown club Rotherham United where he made his debut in 1962-63...
(1977) Don MegsonDon MegsonDonald Harry Megson is an English former footballer and football manager.Don Megson is regarded as one of Sheffield Wednesday's greatest servants. He was signed from Mossley in the Cheshire League by Wednesday in 1952...
(1978-1979) Vic CroweVic CroweVictor Herbert Crowe was a Wales international football player and later football manager.-Career:Crowe was born in Abercynon, South Wales but moved to Handsworth, Birmingham with his family when he was two years old...
(1980-1982)
Notable players
| Terry Alcock Terry Alcock Terrence "Terry" Alcock is an English former professional football defender.He played for Port Vale from 1963 to 1967, before spending nine years with Blackpool. He played over 100 appearances for Port Vale in the Football League and almost 200 appearances for Blackpool... (1977) Willie Anderson Willie Anderson (soccer) William John "Willie" Anderson is an English former professional footballer.-Career:A youth player at Manchester United, Anderson spent four years as understudy to George Best and only appeared in twelve first team games for the club, including two cup semi-finals, before being allowed to join... (1975, 1977-1982) Garry Ayre Garry Ayre Garry Ayre is a former Canadian national team and NASL player.- Career :... (1979-1980) John Bain John Bain John Bain is a retired Scottish-U.S. soccer midfielder who currently coaches youth soccer in the U.S. Bain began his professional career in England before moving to the United States in 1978. Over his twenty year playing career, Bain played for numerous leagues and teams, both indoors and out... (1978-1982)145 apps 44 goals Clyde Best Clyde Best Clyde Cyril Best MBE is a Bermudian former football player who most notably played as a striker for West Ham United, and was one of the first black players in British football... (1977-1981) Dave Butler David Butler (footballer born 1953) David Butler is an English former football striker who played professionally in England, the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.... (1979) http://home.att.net/~nasl/players.htm#B Clive Charles Clive Charles Clive Charles was a football player, coach and television announcer. Charles began his career with West Ham United and finished it in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He later coached at the high school, collegiate and international levels in the United States.-Player:Charles was born in London,... (1978-1981) Gary Collier Gary Collier Gary Collier is a retired American college and professional basketball player who attended the University of Tulsa.Collier played four seasons for the Golden Hurricane and was named the 1994 MVC player of the year... (1980-82)83 apps 0 goals Jimmy Conway Jimmy Conway (footballer) James Patrick "Jimmy" Conway was an international Irish football midfielder who played professionally in Ireland, England and the United States... (1977-1980) 61 apps 7 goals Jim Cumbes Jim Cumbes James Cumbes , sometimes known as Jim or Jimmy, is a former English sportsman. He played first-class cricket for four counties as a right-arm fast-medium bowler and lower-order right-handed batsman, and later served as Chief Executive of Lancashire; while he also had a substantial career as a... (1976) http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player1/jimcumbes.htm Chris Dangerfield Chris Dangerfield Christopher George "Chris" Dangerfield is a retired English footballer. He began his career in England before playing ten seasons in the North American Soccer League and at least one in the Western Soccer Alliance.... (1975-1976) Graham Day Graham Day (footballer) Graham Day is an English former professional footballer who played as a central defender. Active in both England and the United States, Day made over 250 career league appearances.-Career:... (1975-1981) 117 apps 9 goals Willie Donachie Willie Donachie William Donachie is a Scottish former professional footballer. He won 35 full caps for Scotland, playing in the 1978 World Cup.-Career:... (1980-82) 91 apps 2 goals Ron Futcher Ron Futcher Ronald Futcher is a former professional soccer centre-forward. He was the fourth highest career scorer of the North American Soccer League, and made over 400 appearances in total for nine different Football League clubs.... 23 apps 15 goals Brian Gant Brian Gant Brian Reginald Gant is a retired Canadian soccer player who spent nine seasons in the North American Soccer League and played fifteen games with the Canadian national team.-Professional:... (1977-1982) Cho Young-Jeung Cho Young-Jeung Cho Young-Jeung is a South Korean former footballer who plays as a defender. He is now leader of Paju National Football Center .He was a member of Technical Committee of FIFA until 2002 to 2007... (1981-1982) |
Paul Hendrie Paul Hendrie Paul Hendrie is a Scottish former professional footballer. He is the father of Bradford City midfielder Lee Hendrie who made a late substitute for England in 1998. Another son, Stuart, currently plays for Hinckley United... (1976-1977) 38 apps 1 goal  Mick HobanMick Hoban Michael “Mick” Hoban is an English-U.S. soccer midfielder who began his career with Aston Villa in 1969 before moving to the North American Soccer League in 1971. He earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1973.-England:Hoban attended St... (1975-1980) Jimmy Kelly (1975-1976;1981) Stuart Lee Stuart Lee Stuart Lee is a former English football forward. He played professionally in England, Wales and the United States.-Player:... (1980-1982) Barry Lynch (1975/1977) Tommy McLaren Tommy McLaren Thomas "Tommy" McLaren was a Scottish footballer who played as a midfielder.He moved from Berwick Rangers to Port Vale in November 1967. He spent ten years at Vale Park, racking up 369 league and cup appearances... (1975) Brian McNeill (1978) Keith MacRae (1981) http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player1/keithmacrae.htm Ray Martin Ray Martin (association footballer) Raymond B. "Ray" Martin ) is an English former professional footballer born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, who played as a full back. He spent all his professional career in England with Birmingham City, where he played 333 games in the Football League, became the club captain, and won the Player... (1975-1977) Glenn Myernick Glenn Myernick Glenn "Mooch" Myernick was an American soccer player and coach. He won the 1976 Hermann Trophy as that year’s outstanding collegiate player. He then spent eight seasons in the North American Soccer League and one in Major Indoor Soccer League. Myernick also earned 10 caps with the U.S. national... (1980-1982) Barry Powell Barry Powell (footballer) Barry Powell is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City, Derby County, Burnley and Swansea City, in the North American Soccer League for the Portland Timbers, and in Hong Kong for Bulova and South China.-Career:Powell was born in... (1975/1981) John Pratt John Pratt (footballer) John Pratt is an English living, former, professional footballer. He spent much of his career at Tottenham Hotspur F.C and played as a midfielder.- Tottenham Hotspur career :... (1980-82) http://home.att.net/~nasl/players.htm#P Rob Rensenbrink (1980) Neil Rioch (1976) http://home.att.net/~nasl/players.htm#R Peter Withe Peter Withe Peter Withe is a much-travelled English footballer who played as a striker, between 1971 and 1990... (1975) 22 apps 16 goals Dale Mitchell Dale Mitchell (soccer) Dale William Dink Mitchell is a former top-level professional association football striker who played for several North American teams in the 1980s and 1990s.... (1979-1982) |