Round 'em up boys!
A quick news round up from timber-land:
The hawking of 2 slightly used sports teams goes on with the latest news out of PFE/Metro Sports/City of Portland - land being a spark of interest from Andrew Rayburn, the founder of Big Game Capital, based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Mayor Vera Katz, officials with the city's Office of Management and Finance and the Pacific Coast League (Portland Beavers league) met with Rayburn last week although Mark Schuster, Metropolitan Sports' president and general manager, played down the significance of the meeting. It still appears that New York pension fund TIAA-CREF still hold the key vote on potential buyers of the 2 teams.
Two women sentenced for streaking at the Women's World Cup semifinal were sentenced on Monday in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The "Kangeroo-Skin Two" Meg and Connie were sentenced to perform eight hours of community service and ordered to write essays.
Former Pilot and Timber Curtis Spiteri was between the pegs as the Chicago Fire were on the receiving end of an MLS record 6 goals in a single half to lose 6-2 to Columbus.
Former Timber Brent Sancho is part of a "Show Racism the Red Card" campaign in Scotland. The Dundee player, who has been sidelined for a while with an injury, was the only black player at the launch which included Scotland manager Berti Vogts and stars from Celtic, Rangers and Partick Thistle.
posted by the timberlog at 10:36 AMThe hawking of 2 slightly used sports teams goes on with the latest news out of PFE/Metro Sports/City of Portland - land being a spark of interest from Andrew Rayburn, the founder of Big Game Capital, based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Mayor Vera Katz, officials with the city's Office of Management and Finance and the Pacific Coast League (Portland Beavers league) met with Rayburn last week although Mark Schuster, Metropolitan Sports' president and general manager, played down the significance of the meeting. It still appears that New York pension fund TIAA-CREF still hold the key vote on potential buyers of the 2 teams.
Two women sentenced for streaking at the Women's World Cup semifinal were sentenced on Monday in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The "Kangeroo-Skin Two" Meg and Connie were sentenced to perform eight hours of community service and ordered to write essays.
Former Pilot and Timber Curtis Spiteri was between the pegs as the Chicago Fire were on the receiving end of an MLS record 6 goals in a single half to lose 6-2 to Columbus.
Former Timber Brent Sancho is part of a "Show Racism the Red Card" campaign in Scotland. The Dundee player, who has been sidelined for a while with an injury, was the only black player at the launch which included Scotland manager Berti Vogts and stars from Celtic, Rangers and Partick Thistle.
Friday, October 03, 2003
Notes...
Some notes about last night:
1 I stood (yes I still can hardly sit at games especially when you're crammed in like last night) next to a couple of Mexican gentlemen one of which said that he used to coach Byron Alvarez. He kept on shouting for the Chinese team (which he loved) to widen the game (especially with players of the caliber of #20 Wang Liping!). His comment was that China played with the same mentality as a Latin team...that is possession is the key to winning.
The game reminded me of days watching sides like Columbia in the men's World Cup...absolutely great to watch, but ultimately frustrating in their (sometimes seemingly almost purposeful) lack of finishing power. In contrast Canada played "Rumsfeld-Style" surgical-strike soccer.
Nothing wrong in that mind you...this comes from someone who grew up watching soccer (football) at Plough Lane for gods-sake!!
2 Have you ever seen so many people with walkie-talkies! Every second person it seemed was with some security outfit or was working in some official capacity. And probably more than a few were there to protect large organizations rather than improve the game-experience for the fans!
3 I'm guessing that the main area with unfilled seats (half-way line on the West side) are blocks reserved or held back for official guests, team family etc. Not sure what else could explain the empty seats there.
4 Timbers...sign a player from China. Then we might get this regularly at PGE Park next A-League season!
You can never have too many drums - Audio of Chinese drummers at PGE Park mp3
posted by the timberlog at 2:15 PM1 I stood (yes I still can hardly sit at games especially when you're crammed in like last night) next to a couple of Mexican gentlemen one of which said that he used to coach Byron Alvarez. He kept on shouting for the Chinese team (which he loved) to widen the game (especially with players of the caliber of #20 Wang Liping!). His comment was that China played with the same mentality as a Latin team...that is possession is the key to winning.
The game reminded me of days watching sides like Columbia in the men's World Cup...absolutely great to watch, but ultimately frustrating in their (sometimes seemingly almost purposeful) lack of finishing power. In contrast Canada played "Rumsfeld-Style" surgical-strike soccer.
Nothing wrong in that mind you...this comes from someone who grew up watching soccer (football) at Plough Lane for gods-sake!!
2 Have you ever seen so many people with walkie-talkies! Every second person it seemed was with some security outfit or was working in some official capacity. And probably more than a few were there to protect large organizations rather than improve the game-experience for the fans!
3 I'm guessing that the main area with unfilled seats (half-way line on the West side) are blocks reserved or held back for official guests, team family etc. Not sure what else could explain the empty seats there.
4 Timbers...sign a player from China. Then we might get this regularly at PGE Park next A-League season!
You can never have too many drums - Audio of Chinese drummers at PGE Park mp3
Germany Steamroller Russia - Classy China Fall to Canada
Another amazing night at PGE Park as the excitement level ramps up for Sunday's semi-finals.
The impressive German side rolled over Russia in the first game last night 7-1.
2 goals apiece from Birgit Prinz (the tournament leading scorer with 6 goals) and lanky right sided player Kerstin Garefrekes led the way. A close first half (Germany going in at the break with a 1-0 lead) was only a prelude to a second half goal-fest with the strong German attack creating chances and finishing. A player who stood out for me was #14 Maren Meinert, a very creative player mixed in with the tall strong German front line.
The anticipation then increased as the crowd waited for what most thought would be the best game so far at PGE Park, China v Canada. We weren't to be dissapointed as Canada took an early lead on 7' through Charmaine Hooper and managed to withstand almost constant pressure from China to win through to the WWC semi-finals for the first time.
It was a story of class and skill against brute strength, solid defending and tactical sense however, as the Steel Roses again showed that in pure soccer terms they are the best side in the world. Every Chinese player showed speed, amazing ball control, their only failing was (once again) their finishing.
China's only real mistake was a reluctance to use their skilled wide players to their full effect often relying on the ball down the middle where Canada's impressive central defenders overwhelmed China's forwards.
At the final whistle the Canadian players, coaches and fans were rightfully jubilant, but the rest of the tournament will be much poorer without China and their amazing fans.
{Update: China's coach takes blame for loss}
[...and #57 in an occasional series of Spotted! 2 Swedish team members in the Lloyd Center Toys R Us showing great interest in the halloween toys!]
posted by the timberlog at 9:51 AMThe impressive German side rolled over Russia in the first game last night 7-1.
2 goals apiece from Birgit Prinz (the tournament leading scorer with 6 goals) and lanky right sided player Kerstin Garefrekes led the way. A close first half (Germany going in at the break with a 1-0 lead) was only a prelude to a second half goal-fest with the strong German attack creating chances and finishing. A player who stood out for me was #14 Maren Meinert, a very creative player mixed in with the tall strong German front line.
The anticipation then increased as the crowd waited for what most thought would be the best game so far at PGE Park, China v Canada. We weren't to be dissapointed as Canada took an early lead on 7' through Charmaine Hooper and managed to withstand almost constant pressure from China to win through to the WWC semi-finals for the first time.
Chinese Fans welcome the Steel Roses onto the Field
It was a story of class and skill against brute strength, solid defending and tactical sense however, as the Steel Roses again showed that in pure soccer terms they are the best side in the world. Every Chinese player showed speed, amazing ball control, their only failing was (once again) their finishing.
China's only real mistake was a reluctance to use their skilled wide players to their full effect often relying on the ball down the middle where Canada's impressive central defenders overwhelmed China's forwards.
At the final whistle the Canadian players, coaches and fans were rightfully jubilant, but the rest of the tournament will be much poorer without China and their amazing fans.
The Drummers
OY...YOU! Off the dugout NOW!
{Update: China's coach takes blame for loss}
[...and #57 in an occasional series of Spotted! 2 Swedish team members in the Lloyd Center Toys R Us showing great interest in the halloween toys!]
Thursday, October 02, 2003
Portland Quarter-Finals Tonight!
Two of the semi-finalists to be seen at PGE Park on Sunday are now set. The US and Sweden, both after 1-0 wins last night against Norway and Brazil respectivley.
Now it's all eyes on Portland again as Canada and China and Germany and Russia play for the chance to advance to Sunday. Tonight's doubleheader kicks off at 4.30pm with Germany v Russia and ends with Canada v China at 7.30pm.
See you there!
posted by the timberlog at 8:52 AMNow it's all eyes on Portland again as Canada and China and Germany and Russia play for the chance to advance to Sunday. Tonight's doubleheader kicks off at 4.30pm with Germany v Russia and ends with Canada v China at 7.30pm.
See you there!