Local Ownership and USL

This is a thoughtful article about local ownership, pride, patience, and the USL.
http://www.csweekly.com/weeklyColumns/article/id/126

BY THOMAS DUNMORE world's game
Here come the Austin Aztex. No, it’s not a Northern rebirth of the nation still ticked at Cortes. It was announced this week that Texas’ new soccer team will play in the First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, one rung below Major League Soccer on the American soccer ladder. Unlike in baseball, no minor league soccer teams are affiliated to major league teams, thus offering an organic opportunity for the game to put down roots in the huge swathes of the country still untouched by MLS.
Many USL teams can hang with their MLS brethren on the field—only last season in the U.S. Open Cup, USL’s Seattle Sounders crushed MLS’ Colorado Rapids 5-0 on their way to the semi-finals, a stage also reached by their league rivals the Carolina RailHawks, who beat the Chicago Fire at home. The USL First Division, with locations as diverse as Minnesota and Puerto Rico amongst its 13 teams in 2007, sees average attendances ranging from five figures in Montreal to three figures in Miami. USL teams do best when they develop local support over time. The Portland Timbers are well-known in American soccer for their loyal, passionate supporters who can stand proud with any in MLS.
The Aztex have been launched by an Englishman, Phil Rawlins, who is also an owner and director of Stoke City of England’s Championship, one tier below the Premier League. The Aztex will be officially affiliated to Stoke, so the English club will hold training camps, scout for talent and exchange players with their American cousin.
Austin’s affiliation to Stoke is part of a deliberate strategy by USL founder and president Francisco Marcos to further internationalize the league. Marcos, fluent in five languages and with four decades of experience in international soccer, splits his time between homes in the U.S. and his native Portugal. He sees this latest foreign connection as a key moment in his plan.
“I firmly believe that Phil Rawlins understands, and is fully committed to, the concept of international relationships as the way to speed up American player development and to further the creation of thriving soccer culture in the US. Following in the footsteps of Crystal Palace Baltimore, who began play last season, and of our recently announced partnership with West Ham United, this is a significant moment in the history and growth of the USL First Division.”
The question is whether such internationalization is the best way to build soccer as an embedded culture in the U.S. On the one hand, international expertise could help improve player development practices, and American soccer can hardly be sniffy about people who want to invest in soccer here. On the other, it’s hard to imagine American supporters becoming deeply attached to the likes of Crystal Palace Baltimore, a franchise run for the benefit of a parent club abroad.
Locally rooted USL teams can develop strong support and identity, as we’ve seen with the Portland Timbers. But foreign owned USL teams, as appendages to a higher priority team, seem unlikely to set down roots for long.
One example of this took place in San Francisco last year. The California Victory were an expansion team in the USL First Division under the ownership of Dmitry Piterman, chairman of Spanish club Deportivo Alaves. The Victory developed a small but fervent fanbase centered on a group called the “1906 Supporters” –smartly linking themselves to the city’s history—who created a vibrant atmosphere.
But by mid-July, it had become clear the Victory were being abandoned by their foreign owner, with players wages left unpaid. It was left to the 1906 group, lead by Mike Alonso, to keep the club alive. Indeed, they showed the power of local soccer passion with their own outreach and promotional efforts, as Alonso recently told me:
“People kept coming. Eventually, we went from 500 people a game to over 1900. No money. No corporate support. No Dmitry. The last game was our biggest attendance ever. Sure we lost, but it was magical. Our flares were lit, our songs were sung, our banners hung low and our flags flown high and our smoke hovered over the crowd. After being wrongfully ejected, striker Chuck Kim ran to the supporters’ section, threw his jersey to a fan, and dove into the arms of his loving fans.”
Despite the supporters’ passion, the Victory were left high and dry by their foreign owner, and they’ll be on hiatus from the USL in 2008.
The USL must be careful not to alienate this valuable grassroots passion for soccer. Despite the forced way they’ve stuck “tex” into the team’s name, it’s good news for the Aztex that their English owner Phil Rawlins now lives in the area. He asserted that “My goal is to make the Aztex a community-based club that the Austin area can be proud of.”
Let’s hope so.

Timber Jim...Retired...Say it ain't so

Timber Jim, a long-time entertainer for the Portland Timbers soccer team, announced his retirement from the club Thursday.
According to the Portland Timbers Web site, Jim Serrill, better known as Timber Jim, will make a final appearance at PGE Park on April 17, when the Timbers host the Puerto Rico Islanders.
Serrill and his chainsaw have been a big part of Timbers matches since 1978, when the club was part of the North American Soccer League. He cuts off a log slab after every Timbers goal . The Timbers are searching for a new icon or mascot to replace Serrill.


In fairness, I found that with the last 3 or 4 games of this past season, when there were crowds of 12-15,000, and the Timbers Army swelled to massive numbers, that I felt Timber Jim's purpose was to help the non-standing fans get vocally involved- still a valuable service. However, I can't remember Jim leading too many cheers in the Army sections during the playoff games. Credit to Jim because the Army would not be as large as it is/can be without his help, passion, support, and leadership.

Timber Jim has been essential to the support from Timbers fans. His service to the club should never be forgotten. Thank you.

Timbers Sign Chris Brown from Real Salt Lake

The Portland Timbers signed veteran forward Chris Brown to a two-year deal through the 2009 season, it was announced today. The 30-year-old Brown, a Portland native, has recorded 27 goals and 13 assists in 197 matches over the past nine seasons in Major League Soccer.

This is a great quality pick-up for the Timbers on a 2 year deal.

Timbers re-sign 2 more

The Portland Timbers today announced the club has re-signed midfielders Shaun Higgins and Troy Ready for the 2008 season. Both Higgins and Ready return to Portland for a third season with the Timbers.

This makes about 13-14 players under contract again for this year, adding the necessary stability to make a run at the league championship and hopefully a strong cup run.

2008 Schedule Released

2008 Schedule has been released. I can't wait for April.

4 matches will be on Fox Soccer Channel, But only 1 home game will be televised on FSC: the August Northwest Derby against Seattle.

Here's the complete schedule:

Portland Timbers
2008 Regular-Season Schedule
APRIL
Thursday, April 17 PUERTO RICO 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 24 MINNESOTA 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 26 SEATTLE 7 p.m.
MAY
Thursday, May 8 ROCHESTER 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 10 @Seattle 7 p.m.
Friday, May 16 @ Puerto Rico 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 18 @ Miami 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 24 VANCOUVER 7 p.m.
Monday, May 26 MIAMI 2 p.m.
Friday, May 30 @ Montreal 5 p.m. (FSC)
JUNE
Sunday, June 1 @Rochester 5 p.m.
Thursday, June 5 MINNESOTA 7 p.m..
Saturday, June 7 @ Vancouver 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 12 ATLANTA 7 p.m.
Friday, June 27 @ Carolina 4.30 p.m. (FSC)
Saturday, June 28 @ Atlanta 5 p.m.
JULY
Friday, July 10 PUERTO RICO 7 p.m.
Friday, July 18 @ Atlanta 5 p.m.
Saturday, July 19 @ Charleston 3 p.m.
Thursday July 24 CAROLINA 7 p.m.
AUGUST
Saturday, Aug. 2 @ Minnesota 5 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 7 SEATTLE 8 p.m. (FSC)
Saturday, Aug. 9 CHARLESTON 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16 MONTREAL 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 22 @ Vancouver 7 p.m. (FSC)
Wednesday, Aug. 27 @ Montreal 5 p.m.
SEPTEMBER
Thursday, Sept. 4 MIAMI 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 @Rochester 5 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 11 CHARLESTON 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 @Carolina 4:30 p.m.
Please note: all times Pacific, home games bolded in all caps,
dates and times subject to change.

Alex Nimo signs with MLS

Alex Nimo, a local product of the Portland FC Academy, signed a Generation Adidas contract with MLS and will be eligible for the 2008 Draft.

Good luck, Alex, and we hope to see you in Timbers green someday.

PGE Park gets new surface, finally!

Another great sign of Merrit Paulson's stewardship of our club

PGE Park will install FieldTurf in place of the Astroturf/artificial putting green surface.

Initial stages of the project began today, and the new FieldTurf at PGE Park is expected to be in place and ready for use when the 2008 season of events begins.

Timbers re-sign one, acquire another midfielder

The Timbers re-signed midfielder Neil Dombrowski for the 2008 season. Also, the Timbers signed former University of Portland standout midfielder Miguel Guante for 2008.

Dombrowski returns to Portland for a second season, while Guante joins the Timbers after completing his rookie season with Miami FC in 2007.

Guante was drafted by FC Dallas, but I'm not sure why it didn't work out. Either way, it is nice to have some more depth in midfield.

Timbers Trade Luke

Portland Timbers traded 2006 USL All-League First Team midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer for Charleston Battery defender Tim Karalexis

2007 Expansion Draft for San Jose Earthquakes

Here's a list from Steve Goff for the exposed players in this year's expansion draft. San Jose (who I compliment on the new black-and-blue uniforms) can select 1 player from each team, for a grand total of 11 players.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2007/11/the_full_expansion_draft_list.html#more

Here's who I would choose:

There is some real quality in the 2007 Expansion draft. Here’s who I would choose in the San Jose expansion draft:

1) Ramon Nunez
2) Ivan Guerrero
3) Conor Casey
4) Ned Grabavoy
5) Dario Sala
6) Greg Vanney
7) Ryan Cochrane
8) Jose Burciaga
9) Kelly Gray
10) Andy Dorman/James Riley
11) Andrew Boyens

Casey Nunez

Guerrero Grabavoy Dorman

Burciaga Vanney Cochrane

Gray

Sala

Bench: Andrew Boyens

I think it's a pretty strong starting 11. Certainly there is more talent there than existed in Salt Lake City and Toronto.

CONCACAF Champions League?

Steve Goff at the Soccer Insider (Washington Post blog) is reporting that there will be a Champions League for CONCACAF countries.

4 groups of 4 teams. There will be group play in the fall, with knockout rounds in the spring.

2 MLS teams automatically qualify: Supporters' Shield winner and MLS Cup winner.
The runner-up in each category enters a qualifying stage for the group phase.

More details soon...

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2007/11/we_are_the_champions_league.html

Houston wins MLS Cup Final 2-1

Houston beat New England in one of the better Cup finals in recent memory. The final score of 2-1 was a fair result. It took a clean finish from Mr. Dwayne De Rosario and an unbelievable save from Pat Onstad.

Seattle joins MLS in 2009

Today, MLS granted Seattle an expansion franchise beginning in 2009.

As a Portland Timbers fan, my immediate reaction was disdain- and, admittedly, envy. Anybody who was at the Semifinal game against Atlanta knows that Portland’s fans can compete with any in the country for noise, understanding of the game, and passion.

But, after giving the Seattle MLS situation some more thought (and reading numerous blogs about the subject), I will admit that I have mixed feelings.

On one hand, Seattle Sounders is the team I wanted to beat more than any other team in the league and country. However, there is a possibility that the Sounders name will die in USL, with a different incarnation for MLS. Not that this fact matters all that much.

On the other hand, I feel a Pacific Northwest pride that would enable me to cheer for Seattle, so long as it resulted in pummeling Los Angeles, sticking it to New York, or shoving it up D.C.’s – well, you know.

BUT: I will wait with keen anticipation for the day we play Seattle in the U.S. Open Cup.

I understand and respect the view that Timbers fans will never let themselves cheer for any Seattle team. I just can’t help but feel some divided loyalty to our fellow Pacific Northwest brethren. There is more that unites us than divides us, right?

So, at least today, I congratulate Seattle.

I look forward to the date, sometime soon, when Portland joins the MLS ranks, and things go back to normal.

And please! let us have grass at PGE Park.

MLS 2007 Best XI

MLS Best XI 2007

GK: Brad Guzan- really came into his own

DEF: Michael Parkhurst
DEF: Eddie Robinson
DEF: Claudio Suarez

MID: Shalrie Joseph
MID: Juan Toja
MID: Sasha Klejstan

MID/FWD: Guillermo Baros Schelleto
MID/FWD: Landon Donovan

FWD: Juan Pablo Angel
FWD: Luciano Emilio

MVP: Juan Pablo Angel

Coach: Preki

Fantasy Football? I OWN a football club: Ebbsfleet United

Fan website agrees club takeoverBy Alex Perry and John Sinnott
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/football/teams/g/gravesend_and_northfleet/7089473.stm

Fans' community website MyFootballClub has agreed a deal to take over Blue Square Premier outfit Ebbsfleet United.
The 20,000 MyFootballClub members have each paid £35 to provide a £700,000 takeover pot and they will all own an equal share in the club.
In a landmark for English football, members will vote on player selection, transfers and all major decisions.
"We are united in believing this is a great opportunity," Ebbsfleet chairman Jason Botley told BBC Sport.
"This extra finance and support will enable our club to progress."
The deal is expected to be completed in a few weeks after a due diligence process and the website will purchase a 51% controlling stake, while also having the option to buy the club outright in the future.
The takeover is unprecedented in English football, given the website's stated intention of involving the members so radically in the running of the club, particularly with team selection.
"Picking 11 players and formations isn't a precise science" Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish
After the takeover goes through the current board will stay in place, as will manager Liam Daish, although his title will change to head coach.
Daish insisted that he was happy for fans to have an input on team matters.
"Picking 11 players and formations isn't a precise science and luck often plays its part," stated the Ebbsfleet boss.
"During and after matches, Ebbsfleet supporters often give me their opinion on which players should or shouldn't start games. Now they can have their say.
"My job won't change that much. As a club, we'll select the starting 11 players and formation together.
"But just as before, what goes on at the training ground and in the dressing room on the day of the match is down to me.
"It's the supporters' money that finances this club and pays my wages and those of the players.
"So there's a good argument for them having a say in what players they want to see."
Ebbsfleet were formerly Gravesend and Northfleet but the club's name was changed in May in a bid to tap into the regeneration of the area.
They are currently ninth in the Blue Square Premier, six points off a play-off place for entry to the Football League.

And Ebbsfleet's push for a spot in League Two will receive a boost as some of the funds raised by MyFootballClub members will be available in the January transfer window.
MyFootballClub members will be given the option to vote on who the club should buy.
Daish added that he was fully behind the radical model for the club.
"We all agree we need something extra to take us to the next step," he said.
"As a football fan, I think the MyFootballClub idea is fantastic.
"As the coach, I look forward to the challenge of working with thousands of members to produce a winning team.
"My assistant Alan Kimble and myself are 100% committed to making this work."
Since the website's launch in April, 50,000 members have signed up, with 20,000 of those paying the registration fee.
The membership subscription is paid annually so new members can join and become owners at any time, adding to the club's finances.
MyFootballClub was approached by nine clubs and looked into seven of those before opting to take over Ebbsfleet.
The Financial Services Authority has approved the setting up of the MyFootballClub Trust to safeguard members' interests in the eventuality of the club running into financial difficulties.

I (almost) own part of a football club

MyFootballClub

From the website:

"For the first time in football history, fans have the opportunity to buy and then take control of a professional football club – both on and off the pitch.

Every MyFootballClub member will have an equal say in team selection, player transfers and the running of the club.

Members will own the club through their MyFootballClub Trust, and together they will attempt to guide their football club to success.

Buying the football clubThe most popular club, as voted for by MyFootballClub members, and the one that most closely meets the following criteria, will be purchased:
51% or more of the football club shares can be bought.
There is none, or a manageable debt.
The club has the potential to reach the Premiership.
The size of the stadium and the availability of public transport.
The club is amenable to our approach.

Owning the football clubWhen you pay your membership fee, you will become a member of the MyFootballClub Trust.

Your Trust will purchase a controlling interest in the football club, in effect making you a joint owner of your football club.Your Trust share certificate will be sent to you by e-mail.

The membership fee:
The MyFootballClub membership fee is £35.
£27.50 will go towards purchasing a football club, buying new players and other club expenditure.
£7.50 will go towards the administration of the MyFootballClub Trust and the building and management of the MyFootballClub website.

http://www.myfootballclub.co.uk/

Timbers Army Post

I was at this game about 30 feet from where this camera was rolling.

As incredible as the atmosphere was against Vancouver, it was even more pulsating the next weekend against Atlanta in the Semi-finals. I haven't been able to find any videos from the match, yet.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=e4WDQELMZvc