Yesterday we had our venting thread. And it went fairly well! More people commented than I expected, in fact, which just goes to show that there really is a lot of pent up frustration over what's happening, or has happened with the current team and even the Timbers Army. Everybody is unhappy right now, that's pretty obvious, but now that we've gotten most stuff out in the open it's time to return to supporting the team 100%, no matter who is playing on the field, no matter who is coaching the team.

After canceling practice yesterday (a decision that came before the Timbers shocking Open Cup defeat), the Timbers got back on the pitch at their new training facility today. With a long rest starting for the first team and a reserve game tomorrow, the Timbers did not have a very strenuous practice but did close the proceedings to the press after completing their warm-ups.

Here you can find out what is going on with the Timbers U23s including practice notes, quotes, news, and previews of just what is happening this week.

Game Summeries

U23s Run Riot Over Rivals Kitsap

5/24 - The Timbers U23s handily beat their Northwest Division rivals, the Kitsap Pumas, by an impressive score of 4-0 last Thursday.

Emotions are high right now. We have fans calling for firings. Timbers Army capos yelling at players. Players being restrained from said capo. There's a lot of stuff in the air right now and I think it's time to just get it all out in the open with a good ol' venting thread.

So, essentially, this is your place right now to get WHATEVER you have on your mind with regards to the Portland Timbers players, coaching staff, front office, management OR the Timbers Army out in the open.

(Summary is not available.)

Quick Recap

The Portland Timbers logged 37 shots, scoring none, in 120 minutes of football in front of a light crowd of 5,489 frustrated fans at Jeld Wen Field. Nil to nil at the end of regulation, Cal FC scored quickly in the first half of extra time. The one goal was all they needed, even in the face of the Timbers' barrage, giving the boys in green the dubious distinction of being the first MLS team ever to lose to a USASA side in the US Open Cup.

Quick Recap

The Portland Timbers logged 37 shots, scoring none, in 120 minutes of football in front of a light crowd of 5,489 frustrated fans at Jeld Wen Field. Nil to nil at the end of regulation, Cal FC scored quickly in the first half of extra time. The one goal was all they needed, even in the face of the Timbers' barrage, giving the boys in green the dubious distinction of being the first MLS team ever to lose to a USASA side in the US Open Cup.

Yesterday kicked off MLS's foray into this year's US Open Cup and the results were mixed, to say the least. Of all the MLS sides participating in the tournament, seven famously flamed out against teams from lower tiers of the American soccer pyramid. If there's one thing we have learned from what occurred yesterday it's that the Portland Timbers shouldn't be expecting an easy game tonight.

Must read on why Perlaza is one of our starters

everything i've tried to argue, but so much more eloquent.

The way I see it, if you're gonna host an Open Cup match, why not do it with some style?

An inauspicious start for MLS clubs as 7 flame out in USOC against lower-tiered teams

There were some truly stunning results last night.

The Chicago Fire being beaten by an amateur PDL side. Real Salt Lake, who famously paid for the home game advantage, lost to the Minnesota Stars FC of the NASL.

Tomorrow marks the Portland Timbers' first foray into this year's U.S. Open Cup contest after flaming out against the San Jose Earthquakes last year. But while tomorrow's match might seem insignificant considering the team they're playing against is a relatively unknown and new team called Cal FC, the actual ramifications of the match are quite large, especially considering that the Timbers are now in a 3 week break from the regular season MLS schedule.

Jake Gleeson is heading to the OFC Nations Cup

While he was already called up for a series of friendlies, it looks like the new Zealand international will be staying a bit longer to help his nation win their regional football championship.

He's now slated to return on June 13th which means he'll definitely miss the second US Open Cup game (if the Timbers make it), but he won't miss any regular season games.

First, apologies for the slight delay in getting this week's player ratings up. I had originally planned on getting them live yesterday, but instead opted to take the day off since, well, most of you were probably doing the same. I decided to kick back and spend the day with a beer and some grilled vegetables.

CAL FC Thinking Upset

Here's an interesting read on the newly assembled Cal FC side. Composed of misfits and led by Eric Wynalda.
Definitely got me a litle more fired up for the match!