A look back on the Portland Timbers 2005 Season


The Fans

By Kurt Schubothe
October 12 2005

The Timbers come up short in a season of ups and downs. the Sujnderland match seemed to be the highlight of the season. Who will be back and who will be out. Is this the last we see of coach Bobby Howe?

The Drummans Reveiw

The Drummans Reveiw
A season of revenge ends up the same as the last season. On paper the 2005 Portland Timbers look as if they would come close to their record they had in the 2004 season when they took the regular season table. However that did not happen. The key seemed to be the loss of the two center midfeilders Andrew Gregor and Alex Bengard. Bobby Howe felt the style of both players were the same so the club wanted to sign Gregor in the off season and let Bengard go. Gregor ended up signing with the Seattle Sounders (who won the Championship of the USL First Division). So the Timbers only had one strong Midfeild player in Edwin Mirranda and lacked the leadership the Bengard and Gregor had in the 2004 season. Gone too was Jake Sagare who seemed to have lost his speed and touch. Jake ended up with Seattle after a breif stay with Vancouver. Jake's back troubles seem to have taken it's toll as he is not the player he once was. The Timbers lost Alan Gordon to the MLS Galaxy which left Portland with forwards Byron Alveraz, Dan Antoniuk and Fadi Afash.

The Timbers finnished 11-9-9 lost to Seattle in the playoffs for the second straight season this time not scoring a goal in two matches. The players of note were Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar who lead the league with 12 assist. Dan Antoniuk lead the team with 13 goals and 28 total points.
Defender Scot Thompson earned a spot on the First team in the First Divison as did Midfeilder Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar. Josh Saunders play in goal was solid once again.

The match of the season was Sunderland. The Blackcats had a preseason tour in the North West with stops at Vancouver BC, Seattle and Portland. 15,376 fans made it to the match ended in a 0-0 tie. It did not end their as fans from Sunderland and Portland party for two days. Many of the Timbers Army will make a visit to Sunderland in April.

Portland lost to San Jose in the Open Cup for the second year in a row and will have to qualify to make it into the cup next season. Worst loss of the season was to Rochester at home 6-0. Best win was against Atlanta 6-1 at home. It seems that next season will be a season of change on the playing feild as the Timbers will have only Scot Thompson and back up keeper Sam Reynolds on contract. General Manager Jim Taylor feels Scot Thompson will sign with a club in England so he may be gone as well. The Timbers seem to want to sign Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, Edwin Mirranda and Aaran Lines

The Timbers may be changing owners if an agreement can be reached which is better news then we had is seasons past. The Timber management as well as coaching staff could be out of work if new owner takes over. This could be a good thing as coach Bobby Howe seems to have trouble getting past the first round of the playoffs.

The Timbers Army got some good press as well as bad but in the end they still are the best Club fans in the United States. The Timbers Army's numbers continue to grow.

Here is to an even better 2006!


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