Timbers Army

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Lore & Background

The Timbers Army was founded in 2001 as the Cascade Rangers, a reference to the Cascade Range of mountains in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The group began with eight people who decided to step up their support, and began congregating in section 107 (erroneously labeled on the stadium diagram to be behind the north goal) of the stadium then known as PGE Park to create a European-style rooting section for the club, complete with drumming, flags, scarves, smoke bombs and constant chanting and cheering. By 2002, the group had changed its name to the Timbers Army in order to lose any perception of partiality toward Scottish football club Rangers and because the Timbers uniforms at the time resembled those of Rangers rival Celtic (although this perception has since changed). As noted in a feature story on the front page of The Oregonian's Sports section in 2004, the Army had grown from a small group of dedicated fans to approximately 200 passionate supporters. By 2005, when the Army was the subject of a cover story by Willamette Week, its game day support was estimated at over 1,000. In 2008, the group's lobbying was credited with helping to convince the Portland City Council to approve a deal to bring Major League Soccer to Portland in 2011. The Timbers Army were named the fifth most influential Oregon sports figure in 2010 by The Oregonian, two spots ahead of Timbers owner Merritt Paulson. The supporters group gained national exposure in 2009 when they were featured in a two-page photo spread in the July 13–20 issue of Sports Illustrated which showed Army members celebrating after the Timbers scored against Seattle Sounders FC of MLS in the third round of the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a game they lost 2–1. A tifo created by the Timbers Army for that game was in 2011 named one of the five best tifos in MLS history—it featured a giant Timber Jim chainsawing down Seattle's Space Needle—despite the Timbers having played in the USL at the time. In 2019, the Timbers Army made national news as they clashed with the MLS front office over the use of the Iron Front symbol on flags flown by Timbers supporters. MLS banned the anti-fascist symbol along with far-right regalia in a blanket ban of 'political signage', which the Army contested, arguing in a statement that opposition to fascism, racism, and sexism was not political. A protracted public batt

In Their Own Story

The Timbers Army's presence is felt throughout the club's competitive history. In 2013, the Timbers finished first in the Western Conference, clinching their first-ever playoff appearance and a CONCACAF Champions League berth. In 2015, the franchise won the MLS Cup, becoming the first team in Cascadia to do so. In 2018, the Timbers made the playoffs, advancing in three rounds and defeating archrival Seattle in the semifinals before losing 2–0 to Atlanta United FC in the MLS Cup. In 2020, the Timbers won the MLS is Back Tournament, defeating Orlando City SC in the final. In 2021, the Timbers won the Western Conference and were runners-up in MLS Cup, falling to New York City FC 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 score at extra time. The group supports the team in long-standing rivalries with Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, competing for the Cascadia Cup.

Reader's Guide

The Timbers Army has a strong history and culture of vocal support. The Timbers Army have utilized chants from all over the world (e.g., 'Korobeiniki'), as well as having drums and trumpets to add to the noise in addition to the inclusion of pogoing, scarf waving, and dancing to add to the effect of various chants. Timbers Army traditions are to sing the song 'Portland Boys' immediately after kickoff, 'Rose City 'Til I Die' when a goal is scored against the Timbers, 'You Are My Sunshine' in the 80th minute, and 'Can't Help Falling In Love' in the 85th minute. Various other chants are drawn from Russian, Greek, Latin American, Italian, and Arabian origins, speaking to the diversity of the section. The group engages in a number of charitable activities, including volunteering for the Portland-based nonprofit Friends of Trees and raising money for a trust fund established for Keiana Serrill, the granddaughter of Timber Jim, the team's lumberjack mascot. Timber Jim's daughter, Hannah, was killed in an automobile accident in 2004, and in her memory, the TA has made a tradition of singing 'You Are My Sunshine.' Timber Jim retired in 2008, but the tradition is carried on by Jim's successor, 'Timber Joey.' In 2010, the Timbers Army established 107 Independent Supporters Trust, or 107IST, a non-profit umbrella supporting the works of the TA, and since 2013, the Rose City Riveters. The Timbers Army is composed of several different subgroups. These subgroups are unique in their own fashion and consist of many different personalities. However, all subgroups fall under the Timbers Army umbrella. Many of the subgroups produce their own special apparel and other items while the proceeds go directly back to Timbers Army causes. Unlike many teams in Major League Soccer, the Timbers Army is the only recognized independent supporter group.

Did You Know?

• The Timbers Army was founded in 2001 as the Cascade Rangers, a reference to the Cascade Range of mountains.
• The group changed its name to the Timbers Army in 2002 to avoid any perception of partiality toward Scottish club Rangers.
• In 2010, the Timbers Army were named the fifth most influential Oregon sports figure by The Oregonian, two spots ahead of Timbers owner Merritt Paulson.
• The Timbers Army successfully forced Major League Soccer to reverse its ban on the Iron Front symbol in 2019.
• The Army's 'No Pity Van' had its tires slashed by Portland Police on August 13, 2020, during the George Floyd protests.

Origins and Phoenix Status

The Portland Timbers represent a unique continuity in American soccer history, serving as a phoenix club that resurrected a beloved local identity. The franchise's lineage traces back to the North American Soccer League era from 1975 to 1982, where the original team achieved immediate success by reaching the Soccer Bowl final in their inaugural season. Following a period of dormancy and various lower-division incarnations, including the USL Timbers which folded in 2010, the modern club was reborn under the ownership of Peregrine Sports. Led by Merritt Paulson, who acquired the second-division team in 2007, the organization successfully secured an MLS expansion berth in 2009. This revival made Portland home to the fourth soccer franchise and the second top-level team to carry the historic Timbers name. The club officially began its Major League Soccer campaign in 2011, establishing Providence Park as their permanent home ground. This return marked a significant milestone for the city, bridging decades of fan loyalty with professional stability.

On-Field Triumphs and Milestones

Since joining Major League Soccer, the franchise has rapidly established itself as a competitive powerhouse within the Western Conference. Their breakthrough occurred in 2013 when they secured first place in the regular season, earning their maiden playoff appearance and a coveted spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. The club's crowning achievement arrived in 2015, when they captured the MLS Cup, becoming the first team from the Cascadia region to win this prestigious title. Success continued with another Western Conference championship in 2017 and a deep playoff run in 2018 that saw them defeat archrival Seattle Sounders before falling in the final against Atlanta United. The roster's resilience was further highlighted by their victory in the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament, defeating Orlando City SC to secure another Champions League berth. In 2021, they reclaimed the Western Conference title but finished as runners-up in the MLS Cup again, losing a penalty shootout to New York City FC after extra time.

Community Integration and Culture

The enduring success of the Timbers is deeply rooted in a culture of community engagement that dates back to the original NASL days. Early figures like manager Vic Crowe and player Chris Dangerfield prioritized interacting with locals, helping soccer become integral to Portland's identity. This tradition was cemented by Michael 'Mick' Hoban, an early signing who served as Community Relations Manager. Hoban organized approximately one thousand community events in the club's first three years, hosting clinics that taught the rules of the game to both adults and children. He emphasized that this interactive approach was unusual for professional sports at the time but crucial for building a loyal fanbase. This legacy persists today, with modern players continuing to volunteer and maintain relationships off the pitch. In recognition of his foundational contributions to the sport in the city, Hoban was inducted into the Ring of Honor in 2014, symbolizing the club's enduring commitment to its local roots.

Regional Rivalries and Expansion Challenges

The Timbers operate within a fiercely competitive geographic landscape defined by intense rivalries with nearby clubs Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. These three teams compete annually for the Cascadia Cup, creating one of the most passionate regional derbies in North American sports. The path to establishing this modern rivalry network was not without significant logistical hurdles. When Merritt Paulson sought an MLS expansion berth starting in 2007, league officials raised concerns regarding seating configurations and field surfaces at existing venues. Consequently, bringing a top-tier team required substantial infrastructure investment. Paulson navigated complex negotiations involving the renovation of PGE Park for soccer alongside plans for a new baseball stadium for his Beavers. This multi-year process culminated in the successful launch of the MLS franchise, ensuring that Portland could host high-level competition while fostering its unique regional identity.

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