Nathan Limior Takes on Everton and the Premier League

Great signing and doing well in the league, keep it up

Group A

Motagua (Honduras)
New England Revolution (United States)
Plaza Amador (Panama)

Group B

Aguila (El Salvador)
America (Mexico)
Williams Connection (Trinidad and Tobago)

Group C

Columbus Crew (United States)
Saprissa (Costa Rica)
Comunicaciones (Guatemala)

Group D

Cruz Azul (Mexico)
Isidro Metapan (El Salvador)
Puerto Rico Islanders (Puerto Rico)

Group E

Alajuelense (Costa Rica)
Diriangen (Nicaragua)
New York Red Bulls (United States)

Group F

Atlante (Mexico)
Marathon (Honduras)
Tauro (Panama)

Group G

Harbour View (Jamaica)
Luis Angel Firpo (El Salvador)
Portland Timbers (United States)

Group H

Chivas (Mexico)
Municipal (Guatemala)
Toronto FC (Canada)

Looks like a winnable group, good luck.

Diego de Souza Transfer Cancelled

He would be over the salary cap, and would be surplus to requirements.

Portland Timbers 0 - 2 Colorado Rapids

Portland's first loss in 19 games, and what an ugly one! They couldn't move, they couldn't score, they couldn't defend. Edson Buddle took the lead with a nice header, and Giorgi Makaridze scored an own goal to his embarrassment.
Player of the Match: Nick LaBroccha (Colorado)

Portland Timbers 1 - 2 Los Angeles Galaxy

For the first time, I've seen a truly dominant performance from Landon Donovan against me. First, he takes a cross and slots it in for his first goal. Then, he finds Trujillo on a free kick for Los Angeles's second goal and the winner. Portland had so many chances but couldn't finish.
Player of the Match: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles)
Injury Update: Darlington Nagbe will be out 4 to 5 weeks with a pulled hamstring.

US Open Cup Semifinal
Chicago Fire 1 - 0 Portland Timbers

Why do I always lose in this [bleep]ing tournament in the exact same [bleep]ing round to a [bleep] team?
Player of the Match: Matt Hedges (Chicago)

Portland Timbers 4 - 0 San Jose Earthquakes

Despite San Jose having more of the ball, Portland had more of the chances, and more of the options in attack, which San Jose was unable to cope with. Jose Valencia pulled a brace, almost had a hat trick, but he was ruled offside.
Player of the Match: Jose Adolfo Valencia (Portland)
Injury Update: Kyle Bekker suffered a broken ankle and will be out 3-4 months. He has been placed on the six-match Disabled List.

Timbers Announced to MLS All-Star Team

Defender Edson, midfielder Diego Chara, and striker Jose Adolfo Valencia were named to the MLS All-Star team, who will play against Southampton on July 23.

Friendly
Portland Timbers 2 - 3 Southampton

Both teams put on a battling display, but it was Southampton who took the victory after Dicko's stoppage time winner. Portland actually took the lead when Guillermo Burdisso conceded a penalty, which Leanderson converted. Jay Rodriguez equalized when an easily smothered ball was played upfield, but Makaridze was too lackadaisical about retrieving it. Luke Shaw took the lead with a nice finish. Bryan Constant made his first goal a hell of a one by scoring it against Premier League competition. He cut inside and had a nice finish from close range.
Player of the Match: Jack Cork (Southampton)

Portland Timbers 1 - 0 D.C. United

Both sides had excellent defending, as expected from two top teams in MLS, but it was Kevin Barmby's goal that won it. He found so much space in the box I had expected it to be disallowed!
Player of the Match: Brian Carroll (D.C. United)

CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage
Harbour View 2 - 2 Portland Timbers

A shock result! I tried to play as much of a B squad as I could, to get them some precious playing time, but they failed me this time. After having a goal disallowed, Harbour View took the lead on a penalty kick. After some choice four-letter words at halftime, Russel Canouse scored his first ever goal and equalized. Ryan Cronin added a nice effort to take the lead. Unfortunately, Demar Hines found enough space on the wing to slot a shot in and shock a sleepy Portland team.
Player of the Match: Ryan Cronin (Portland)

We're still in the lead for the Supporters' Shield, but Los Angeles is also making a run, and so could New England if they win some of their games in hand.

Ouch, some tough results there, if I'm honest I'm surprised you're still top of the league

John Thorrington Joins the Backroom

Ex-Timber John Thorrington has been signed to a 5 year, $96,000/year Coach contract after dazzling manager Nathan Limior with his interview. He seems to be destined to be a future manager, but for now this is his first stint in the backroom.

Portland Timbers 2 - 0 San Jose Earthquakes

A very comfortable win for Portland. Valencia started the scoring with a header off a corner kick. Barmby doubled the lead, finding so much space in the box Sam Cronic thought he was offside and got yellowed for protesting the goal. Marcelo Saragose found himself sent off before halftime. Both Ryan Cronin and Alonso Herrera were injured and forced to leave the pitch, leaving Portland with 10 men as well. Thankfully, both injuries were minor.
Player of the Match: Jason Hernandez (San Jose)

Portland Timbers 1 - 1 Chivas USA

The referee struggled to control the match as both teams committed numerous fouls. Chivas USA took the lead when Sammy Ochoa volleyed a cross into the net. Oswaldo Minda was sent off late in the match when it looked like Chivas USA would win, and soon after right winger Bryan Constant scored his first competitive goal for Portland, equalizing. Portland couldn't find a second goal, though, and Diego Chara was soon sent off, although too late in the match to make a real impact.
Player of the Match: Sammy Ochoa (Chivas USA)

Colorado Rapids 0 - 0 Portland Timbers

Both defenses were excellent today, only allowing 3 shots on goal for each side. Late in the first half, Edson conceded a penalty, but the ever-reliable Giorgi Makaridze saved Hendry Thomas's penalty shot to save the draw and take a point.
Player of the Match: Hanyer Mosquera (Portland)

CONCACAF Champions League Group G
Portland Timbers 6 - 0 Luis Angel Firpo

As expected, a dominant win from Portland. Used the A squad here. Kevin Barmby had a hat trick, and Diego Chara (!) had a brace.
Player of the Match: Kevin Barmby (Portland)

Portland Timbers 2 - 0 Seattle Sounders

The scoring started when Jhon Hurtado conceded a penalty, which the reliable Leanderson easily converted. Bryan Constant scored when he took a pass out on the wing, cut inside and found plenty of space. Portland used their precision passing and tackling to keep the ball out of Seattle's feet and prevent them from doing much all game.
Player of the Match: Leanderson (Portland)

Portland and Los Angeles Make the Playoffs

Both Portland and Los Angeles are the first teams to officially clinch playoff spots, although their supporters are sure to clinch a first round bye as well, and fight for the MLS Supporters' Shield.

We're easily going to get a bye into the Conference Semifinals, and we have a good chance of getting the Supporters' Shield if we can keep winning.

Kevin Barmby is making his case for Rookie of the Year by topping the goals table.

Despite an early stumble, we are in very good shape for qualification.

Portland Earn 1st Round Bye

The first round Portland will play in in the MLS Cup Playoffs will be the Western Conference Semifinal.

Real Salt Lake 0 - 0 Portland Timbers

Although Portland controlled the ball, they had trouble finding good shots. The best one all game was when Robbie Findley had a one on one with Giorgi Makardize, but couldn't accurately place the shot.
Player of the Match: Nat Borchers (Real Salt Lake)

CONCACAF Champions League Group G
Portland Timbers 4 - 0 Harbour View

with a monstrous 72% of possession, Portland almost shut out Harbour View of the game completely. Alonso Herrera had a brace, taking a cross and a low pass within the box for two goals. Valencia had a great game, nabbing two assists and scoring a goal of his own after a rare long pass from Herrera found him in position to score.
Player of the Match: Jose Adolfo Valencia (Portland)
Qualification: Portland qualifies for the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal with this win

Los Angeles Galaxy 1 - 0 Portland Timbers

Los Angeles took the early lead as Landon Donovan crossed a nice ball to Jugovic for the goal. Leanderson got himself sent off for violently elbowing an opponent, and that's when the match in truth ended, as Portland struggled to find passing lanes.
Player of the Match: Hunter Jumper (Los Angeles)

Portland Timbers 2 - 0 Columbus Crew

It was a tight game at halftime, but Jose Valencia broke through after a nice cross from Bryan Constant to take the lead. He doubled up to put the game away.
Player of the Match: Jose Adolfo Valencia (Portland)

Portland Timbers 2 - 2 Chivas USA

Portland needed to win and New England needed to lose their final matches for Portland to win the Supporters' Shield, unfortunately, Portland fell short. Three of the four goals were scored on set pieces, as Valencia scored a brace on two corner kicks. Oswaldo Minda pulled one back for Chivas USA with a header off a corner. Chivas USA equalized when Ryan Cronin gave away possession cheaply, and Chivas USA found Juan Agudelo in the box, who scored from close range.
Player of the Match: Juan Adolfo Valencia (Portland)

CONCACAF Champions League Group B
Luis Angel Firpo 1 - 1 Portland Timbers

Thankfully, the group was already won, but this is still a very embarrassing draw. Portland has 22 shots, 9 on goal, but only 1 went in. Luis Angel Firpo only had one shot on goal, but it went in.
Player of the Match: Ruben Navarro (Luis Angel Firpo)

Didn't win the Supporters' Shield, didn't eve win the #1 seed in the Western Conference, but a match against Vancouver Whitecaps isn't so bad.

Omar Cummings and Kevin Barmby are the regular season scoring champions, with 17 goals, and Portland's Jose Adolfo Valencia is 2nd, with 16.

The only shock here is Comunicaciones making it in over the Columbus Crew.

Nice layout with the extra infro on the matches and well done in the MLS!

(Note: The other banner isn't here because it got deleted off of imageshack, and I was too boneheaded to save it. Whoops!)
Two Cascadia rivals battle!

First Leg: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 - 1 Portland Timbers

The match didn't get heated up until the second half, when Bryan Constant cut inside to fire off a shot which bounced off the post, Kevin Barmby volleyed it in on the rebound. Shortly after, Gershon Koffie of Vancouver got sent off for going in late for a tackle. It looked like Portland would win, but Vancouver equalized on a free kick from Kader Keita. Vancouver took the lead when Omar Salgado found space on the wing to head in a cross.
Player of the Match: Diego Chara (Portland)

Second Leg: Portland Timbers 4 - 0 Vancouver Whitecaps
Portland Timbers 5 - 2 Vancouver Whitecaps on aggregate

This was no contest, the goals came fast and furious, and Portland had an iron grip on the ball. After Valencia and Barmby's goals took the lead, Canouse and Cronin decided to pile on by scoring their 1st senior goals.
Player of the Match: Jose Adolfo Valencia (Portland)

Good comeback, in second leg, good luck man !

The top two teams in the Western Conference battle to see who makes it to the MLS Cup Final. In addition, I got to get my revenge for what happened in my other MLS save.

First Leg: Portland Timbers 3 - 1 Los Angeles Galaxy

Once again, Jose Adolfo Valencia took over the game, scoring two goals off of corners. It was a very close-run, defensive game, although Portland had the better of it.
Player of the Match: Jose Adolfo Valencia (Portland)
Injury Update: Will Johnson will miss the next match with a dead leg.

Second Leg: Los Angeles Galaxy 0 - 2 Portland Timbers
Los Angeles Galaxy 1 - 5 Portland Timbers on aggregate

Portland withdrew into a short of shell for this match, but they still dominated Los Angeles thanks to Valencia and Constant's great runs with the ball for goals. Valencia was looking for a cross as he cut in, but the goal was open and he took it in. Constant took a nice pass in the box for his goal.
Player of the Match: Jose Adolfo Valencia (Portland)

New England Revolution 0 - 0 D.C. United
D.C. United 3 - 1 (3 - 1 on aggregate) New England Revolution

oooo Goood match !
Final is close ! Winning final !

This final is a match between MLS's past and its present, seeking to determine who will be the MLS's future. D.C. United were a force in early MLS (in all its Americanized goofiness), winning in 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2004, but they haven't been back to the final until now, a period of 10 years. Portland is a new team who have asserted themselves over MLS, winning a trophy in its third season in MLS in 2013. Nathan Limior's opposite number, Steve Nicol has had a much more illustrious playing career, playing for Liverpool between 1981 and 1995, and being part of a team that won five English National First Division championships.

Portland Timbers 5 - 0 D.C. United

To the delight of the 18,848 Portland fans who filled up JELD-WEN Stadium to cheer the Timbers on, and to the dismay of television executives hoping to get a good audience for the game, the Timbers racked up a 4-0 lead in the first 20 minutes. Bryan Constant led off the scoring, but it was Jose Adolfo Valencia who had the hat trick, he played his heart out for Portland this season, and this is the icing on the cake.
Player of the Match: Jose Adolfo Valencia (Portland)

Congrats on that win over DC United, a fantastic result!

Rumor is, that after manager Nathan Limior has led Portland to its second MLS Cup title, he is looking for a move overseas, more specifically, the English Premier League. The thought is that he feels he's built up enough goodwill with the board to inquire about open job positions, and there are two positions that are wide open:

- Everton: After Roberto di Matteo led Everton to only 7 points in 16 matches, he got sacked. Everyton is last in the league and is desperately looking for someone who can right the ship.

- Tottenham: Zdensk Zeman was fired after leading Tottenham to only 24 points in 15 matches, good for 11th in the league. The Hotspur board obviously had higher expectations, so Zeman's out.