Speaking of John Bain

The other day I was noting that John Bain provided a possible model from the Timbers' past for why John Spencer might be a good choice as the team's first MLS coach.   In 1989 the Portland Timbers' franchise launched its Western Soccer League campaign with Bain as the head coach.  Underwritten by local businessman Art Dixon the team was looking forward to a strong run against opponents like the Seattle Storm and the San Francisco Blackhawks.   Part of coach Bain's enthusiasm was that a new star of American soccer,  the young Kasey Keller would be in the nets for the team following a successful run with the US U20 team and his career at University of Portland.  Bain called Keller the best goalkeeper in the US. Prescient!  Dave Nicholas,  whose coaching career at Jesuit High School has been stellar,  was the assistant coach for the team.  And a bevy of Pilot and Warner Pacific stars provided the underpinnings for the team.  Bain's appearance wearing his iconic #6 on the cover reflected his stature in the eyes of the community and of those wanting to bring the team back to prominence.   
The Western Soccer League had evolved from the Western Soccer Alliance which started in 1985 with San Jose, Seattle, Portland and Victoria fielding teams in a 'challenge series'.  One of the fundamentals that marked WSL was that American soccer would not succeed until it was built on a foundation of American players.   Bain,  Ignacio Baez (of Timbers and Cascade Surge fame) Paul Goldsbrough from Blackburn England and Rob Baarts from BC were the only players not from the US on the squad.  
Interestingly,  Bain was featured as well on the cover of the match program for the Portland Timbers match against West Bromwich Albion eight years earlier in 1981.