Some may say its just a game, but this is about heroes and tribes, loyalty and devotion, a commitment to a passion, a battle in our belief, this is our faith. Feel the fever of the crowd, the roar of the faithful.

The Timbers are on the road to Seattle today, in what is and always will be the biggest rivalry in the US soccer. A rivalry 35 years in the making continues today in what might be the last match day, before Portland goes MLS. The Timbers Army has filled four buses and many others will be making the trip on their own, into the lion’s den, Qwest Field. The passion behind this preseason “friendly” is only a fragment of what the 2011 matches will look like.
This great rivalry is not fully understood or appreciated by many of the US soccer world, well this may be the last time that is true. It may be the last time you can just walk up to a ticket window minutes before the derby, it may be the last time we are ever considered minor or 2nd division and it may be the last time that the rest of the MLS is safe. There’s No Pity in the Rose City.

The Timbers roster at this time includes 25 players, not all of which have been either signed, or are even in country at this time.

Goalkeepers (3): Adin Brown, Steve Cronin, Matt Pyzdrowski
Defenders (6): Mamadou Danso, Ian Joy, Stephen Keel, Quavas Kirk, Ross Smith, Scot Thompson
Midfielders (9): Josh Cameron, Johan Claesson, Brian Farber, Derek Gaudet, Rodrigo Lopez, James Marcelin, Tony McManus, Ryan Pore, Keith Savage,
Forwards (4): Doug DeMartin, George Josten, Mandjou Keita, Takayuki Suzuki,
Inactive (1): Cameron Knowles
In Camp (2): Gabreil Obatola (forward), Israel Sesay (midfielder)
Total Players: 25

Related posts:

1. Portland 1 Seattle 2
2. Timber Bits – Keita Team of the Week Honor
3. Game Preview Portland at Austin
4. POSTGAME: Mired in Marsh, Portland Settles for a Draw on the Way to 24
5. Portland Timbers in Fifa 2009