Sometimes we forget.
We get caught up in the day to day drama, the Twitter squabbles, the trade rumors, the silliness, and we forget.
We forget the simple fact that, while we may have all come together to watch a few soccer games, what’s been created here is about much, much more than a game.
I’m going to steal a few words from my friend Matthew here: I spent part of my day today with 3,000 of my friends in what he endearingly likened to a cheesy ’80s sports movie. And it was amazing.
There’s a little boy in Portland named Atticus. He’s eight and was diagnosed with cancer some time back. But he’s a neat kid, a strong kid, and he’s fought back and, when Make-A-Wish offered to grant him a wish, he didn’t want something for himself. He wanted something for his soccer team.
And today, in Portland, the Portland Timbers and their Timbers Army delivered.
I’ve waxed poetic here before about my absolute love for this club and this Army, but this went above and beyond anything I’ve yet experienced with either.
In the middle of the day on a Wednesday, when most of us should have been at work, 3,000 people filled the North End of Jeld-Wen Field to see Atticus’ team, the Green Machine, take on the Timbers.
The scoreline didn’t match the effort on the field, with the Green Machine narrowly edging out the Timbers just before the final whistle. It was obvious to everyone, despite the Timbers fielding a side that included national team players and Olympians, that the Green Machine was the superior team. Heart, courage, teamwork. We could all take a few cues from Atticus and his teammates.
I’ve tried in the past to explain this community to people who see it from the outside and I’ve failed miserably. This is about more than being a sports fan, about more than keeping track of your team’s wins or losses. This is about…everything.
Again, I’m at a loss for words. So, in lieu of anything more from me, I’ll give you the links to the stuff that’s good.
The Timbers match recap.
Stumptown Footy’s ref report.
The only time I’ll ever link to a Cubbie story for a good reason.
A little thing our friend Wayne Garcia put together for Fox12.
And this. This will make you cry.
Thank you, Timbers. Thank you, Timbers Army.
I love you.
octoberthoughtspdx 