I could try and surmise the historical ties between Portland Timbers and Aston Villa, but it's done better than I could attempt in the video below. I'd urge you to watch it, if only to understand that how much of an influence the Villa were on the first incarnation of the Portland Timbers.
Moving swiftly into MLS-era Portland Timbers, it's fair to say the 2012 has been a tough year so far. Ex-Chelsea & Scotland striker John Spencer, was Timbers inaugural Manager. He'd lead us to a successful first season where we just missed out on the play-offs, finishing 6th in the MLS Western Conference. 2012 did not build on that momentum however, and we suddenly experienced a decline in results and performances. The final straw being a 3-0 loss away to Real Salt Lake, and on 9th July Spencer was relieved of his duties.
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The Timbers had been operating with a General Manager, the man who would ultimately initiate trades and transfers, Gavin Wilkinson. He'd previously been our Manager before we entered MLS. He was named as Spencer's interim successor, until the end of the season when our Owner, Merritt Paulson, will look to bring in the long-term option. Whether Wilkinson will last until the end of the season remains to be seen.
Our last 5 regular-season games have not been pretty viewing, either statistically or literally. Our last game (Sat 21st July) was against FC Dallas, and it confirmed us as the poorest team in the MLS. It hurts me just typing that. It was a game away from home, in 90 degree heat... but we lost 5-0. Before that, we played Chivas USA in LA and lost 1-0. Our away form has been the proverbial monkey on our back. We've not won away all season. To further impact that, we've only scored 2 goals on the road. John Spencer's last game in charge was a 3-0 defeat to 2010 MLS Champions, Real Salt Lake. It was that performance that broke the camel's back...
At home, the glorious Jeld-Wen Field, we're a different beast. We were woeful but entertaining in our last home game, a 3-5 defeat to LA Galaxy. It was post-Wimbledon-final-viewing, post-Olympic-Torch-bearing David Beckham who ran the show that day, a lovely (yet typical) 36 yard stonker the pick of the bunch. Our last win came at the start of this month against Championship contenders San Jose Earthquakes. Before that, we beat our bitter rivals, Seattle Sounders, 2-1 in what was a revved-up derby day.
The reason behind the Jekyll and Hyde syndrome? The ruptures created from losing our first manager has hit us hard, but that horrific road form has been something that has bled through both seasons in the MLS. The main reason for our amplified home form is the terrific Timbers Army – our loyal, our loud, our proud Supporters Group. It's not just the four thousand odd that sit in our North Stand that create the intimidatingly positive atmosphere, but they are the face of our supporters. The iconic green smoke that billows out from behind the goal whenever we score, the non-stop chanting, the 20,000 sq foot Tifo's created for our Cascadian derbies - the Timbers Army are a group of supporters to rival any of that in the Premier League.
Whether the TA currently have a squad that matches their passion, I'm not sure. However, the players of note, in my opinion are:
Troy Perkins
Our #1 is our most reliable player. Yes, he's conceded 15 in the last 5 games, but he's had to contend with 78 attempts on goal from our opponents, all hitting an average of 39.1% of those shots on target (compared to our 59 with an on-target percentage of 24.8%). He doesn't get much protection from his back four at the moment, but he's the coolest head when those around him are losing it. Some fans would like to see him installed as our permanent Captain.
Diego Chara
The combative Colombian is currently the MLS leader in fouls committed, leading by some margin on 49 fouls committed for the season (from 20 games played). Chara is not just an ankle-biting midfield general, he's an accomplished retainer of the ball. He often hits a pass success rate of over 85%, even in our poorer games. Only made 35 passes against Dallas (seriously, we were terrible), but only 3 of those were misplaced.
Darlington Nagbe
Nagbe was our first 2011 SuperDraft pick, and heralded as a hugely bright prospect. He actually won 2011 goal of the season with this peach of a volley. He began life as a winger, but John Spencer attempted to convert him into an Attacking Midfielder playing behind the front two. It's been an uneventful switch, if not successful. He, like Chara, is excellent at retaining the ball and rarely wastes what he does do. There have been too many matches that have passed him by, but we're hopeful of him clicking... soon.
Kris Boyd
Most Portland fans remember Boyd for his time spent becoming the SPL all-time leading scorer. However, I know first-hand that most English fans remember Kris Boyd for his much touted move to the EPL that never came, only for him to languish around the Championship for a year before being carted off to Turkey.
He's come to Portland to resurrect his career, and piece-by-piece, he's beginning to get there. Not all his team mates understand the role of the Poacher quite as much as he requires, his lack of service has been part of the reason we're so far down the table. When Boyd has had a half-chance though, he's taken it more often than not. His recent performance against LA Galaxy showcased his ability to lead line, enough to encourage the Timber Army into lending support to him, rather than derision.
It's tough to say whether this game is going to be a welcome distraction or not. On one hand, it may just be the right change of pace, the right challenge, and the right time to return home and into the warm bosom of the Timber Army. On the other, we've been played off the park by Chivas and Dallas recently – both of which in dire straits themselves. A hungry Villa may turn over a weakened and demoralised Portland team. Especially with players like Darren Bent looking to put an injury-tainted 2011/12 season behind them.