That Could Have Been Us

3 October 2011 1,210 views 3 Comments

When you worry about missing the playoffs this year, just take a look at Vancouver and remember, that could have been us.

The Timbers didn’t get the benefits of being a lone expansion team in 2011, but instead had to split a lot of things with Vancouver: dividing up expansion draft picks and the top MLS draft slot, as well as all kinds of other obscure rankings and allocations. Both teams had to fight to sign and trade for a mostly new team, besides the players and management they took up from the USL.

The results?

Vancouver has four wins, Portland has 11.
Portland is in the thick of the playoff race, while Vancouver has been mathematically eliminated for a while, and realistically eliminated for most of the season.
Portland has maintained their connection with their history, and is slowly building a team identiy. Vancouver has already fired their coach and even traded away a hometown hero after he missed a penalty kick. John Spencer gets hugs from his players after they score goals.
Vancouver management has clashed with the Southsiders over ticket prices and away travel issues, amongst other things. The Timbers Army and 107ist have developed a strong relationship, and I see fans praising the front office on a regular basis.
And of course, Portland had a resounding victory when they re-opened their stadium which started off a five game streak, while the Whitecaps had to settle for a loss to their expansion rivals.

When you take a look back at 2011, even if the Timbers don’t end up finding their way into the 10th playoff spot, remember that it could have been a lot worse, and for Whitecaps fans, it is.

Timbers to get first pick in 2010 MLS Expansion Draft

Posted by Dan

3 Comments »

matt g said:

I’ve already said this a number of times but the season has already been a roaring success both on the field and off it. An entire squad and management team thrown together in an incredibly short space of time has already turned over far more established teams. That is a real credit to the coaching and playing staff. Sure, there have been expansion teams that have had better inaugural seasons but each year the league matures that becomes a harder prospect. The benchmark for a lot of Timbers fans has been to make the play offs, is this based on shittle doing so in 2009? If so it’s faulty in my opinion, not only (as you indirectly point out) did they have a better pick of players due to being the only expansion team but again, the league wasn’t as strong as it is today. For me, Vancouver was the benchmark and we’ve blown them out of that whitecapped water.

Off the field the front office has hardly put a foot wrong. When they have they have provided an opportunity for feedback and rectified or compromised on things that were perceived to be wrong. They’ve showered us with gifts, let it be known how much they value our support and always treated us with respect from Merritt all the way through the organisation including the game day staff.

Personally I couldn’t have asked for a better season all around.

And here we are in October, by no means out of the race for a playoff spot. Making the playoffs would the the icing on a quite fantastic cake!

# 3 October 2011 at 5:36 pm

Kejsare said:

24 Roster spots, one DP, older CBA, no expectations to take expansion teams seriously in over a decade in 2009.
30 Roster spots, more DP slots, new CBA, greater emphasis on CCL through allocation money and higher salary cap in 2011.

Against the latter odds we’ve done surprising well.

# 4 October 2011 at 9:32 am

Kejsare said:

Found one more thing. Experienced coach against first time coach.

# 4 October 2011 at 9:41 am

That Could Have Been Us

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