Timbers announce Goldthwaite signing

Kevin Goldthwaite,  recently of the MLS New York Red Bulls,   was announced as the latest Portland Timber today.   The club noted that "Goldy" as they called him in New York would be ready to suit up for the team in a couple of weeks.  Read, in time for the playoffs, as there are five regular season games from September 2 through the beginning of October.   The release also noted that he had played for our green team on loan in 2005.   Most notable,  he has playoff experience with the Dynamo in 2006 and as Defender of the Year for the Red Bulls in 2008 when they took the Western Conference Championship.  That should come in handy because the team is certainly pointed toward playoff appearance.  Could Goldthwaite be tasked with shoring up the Timbers' defensive performance on set pieces in particular?  Wouldn't be surprised.  
On the site Big Apple Soccer an August 7th posting denies that Goldthwaite was let go to make room for Rafa Marquez,  a suspicion which might be forgiven since the Red Bulls acquisition was much-heralded and in the time frame.   In the strange framing of 'truth' that is the Internet,  Goldthwaite's Wikipedia listing has already been updated to show Portland as his current club.  It also asserts that the Red Bulls released him to make room for Marquez.   Not that we really care.  
As a twenty-seven year old with a solid MLS portfolio,  I'd suspect Goldthwaite may be around for more than just this season.  That is,  if he's healthy.   And if he can keep his cool.   Almost exactly one year ago,  Goldthwaite jeopardized the Red Bull's first win in fifteen matches with a swing at an opposing player which drew a straight red card.  
We like feisty here in Soccer City.  But we need smart feisty. 

Portland Timbers v Minnesota Stars

I don't see myself as the blogger who does the comprehensive match reports.  Check out Allison's The Timber Mill for that.   But I do like to comment.   If you weren't able to stream the match, click on the link at the blog title to see the Minnesota Stars highlights.   Once again,  we owe this match to Bright Dike's athleticism and speed as he picks the pocket of the last Minnesota defender in the second half to steal the ball and earn a mano a mano run on Warren,  the Stars' keeper, who was forced to foul him to save the goal.  In steps Ryan Pore to knock the ensuing PK home.    It is odd to me that Pore, the league's leading scorer,  has taken home six of his goals on PKs.   Three of them, I believe, against the Stars!   Is this the face of the new soccer?  I hope not.   
On a soccer trivia note,  I kept wondering what the NSC was about in the Minnesota Stars' name. National Security Council?  Scary!  But it's apparently the National Sports Center which took a leading role in unfolding this team from the financially struggling Thunder.    Based on the attendance this weekend of fewer than 2,000 folks,  I'd say there are still issues here.   And it reminds me to wonder whether a league is viable if it has a half dozen solid teams who are doing wonderfully and well-loved in their communities while the ten other franchises are limping along like some barnstorming 1930's baseball teams.   I don't know the answer,  but I've seen too many "Rise and Fall of American Soccer" stories to take the question lightly.

A-free-ka calling! Timbers announce signing Ghanaian midfielder.

 In what may be the first move toward next year's MLS side,  the Timbers announced signing a nineteen year old, Kalif Alhassan from Liberty Professionals of the Ghanaian Premier League.  The youngster impressed technico futuro, Gavin Wilkinson, on his scouting tour this year.  Portland has a vibrant Ghanaian community.  Perhaps we can look forward to the Timbers inviting Obo Addy and his troupe to help open the festivities and welcome next year's African players.   I'm guessing Alhassan won't be the only one.  As a side note, Obo's son,  Alex,  was a red hot soccer player in his high school days,  at one point in the Eighties leading scorer in the local amateur league with something like 36 goals for one season.  Liberty Professionals is a relatively new club at fourteen. Their match reports  are colorful.  I like their enthusiasm too.  "Simply the Best" is a great slogan. Somehow I hear Tina Turner belting it out over the loudspeakers at matches.   Will be interesting to see what happens next as the winter brings us news of other signings. 

OASA, Timbers honor former Timber, Jimmy Conway-

          

As many of us have played with and against Jimmy over the years, I pass on this message from OASA.  






Jimmy Conway

Soccer fans, take note! The Oregon Adult Soccer Association and the Portland Timbers are joining with other local soccer organizations to honor former Timber player/captain/assistant coach Jimmy Conway with a Testimonial match.

After a great career in Irish soccer (including 20 games with the national team) and 12 years with Fulham and Manchester City in England , Jimmy spent 10 seasons with the Timbers as player and coach. He followed that with 16 years at Pacific University and Oregon State University and 28 years as Director of Coaching for the Oregon Youth Soccer Association. He additionally served as an "A" licensed coach for Region IV teams and the USSF national staff.

While Jimmy still plays against many of us on a weekly basis with his Pierre's teammates in over-50 competition in the Greater Portland Soccer District, he has had to resign from coaching due to a recent diagnosis of trauma-induced dementia. You can get more details on Jimmy's playing and coaching career, including his many years participating on OASA teams, at the OASA website: Jimmy Conway biography.

The Jimmy Conway Testimonial match is scheduled for Thursday, August 26, at PGE Park with kickoff at 5:00 p.m. The game will feature former Timbers players against an Oregon Select XI who Jimmy coached at the college and youth levels. The Testimonial match (an abbreviated 60 minutes) will be an exhibition match played prior to the Timber's 7:00 p.m. USSF Division-2 Pro League match against the Austin Aztex. Fans with tickets to the Timbers regular-season game on Aug. 26 may come in early to enjoy the Testimonial match; gates open at 4:30 p.m.

At halftime of the Portland-Austin game, the Timbers will present a special commendation to Jimmy and his family.

Tickets are as low as $12 (in advance) and can be purchased at the PGE Park box office, at all Ticketmaster locations, online at portland timbers or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Let's help the Timbers in their drive to the playoffs and pay tribute to Jimmy, who has meant so much to local soccer for more than 30 years. See you at PGEPark !

For those of you who not able to attend the testimonial match wishing to show your support for Jimmy, please consider making a contribution to the Alzheimer's Association, Oregon Chapter in Jimmy's name. All proceeds from the Jimmy Conway Testimonial will be donated to this designated charity at the request of the Conway family."

The Jimmy Conway Testimonial donation site may be reached at:

Jimmy Conway donation