PORTLAND, Ore. - The veritable Men in Blazers, aka Roger Bennett and Michael Davies, brought their show on the road to Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square Monday night in front of a packed Rose City audience.
Guests included New York Red Bulls' Tim Cahill, as well as Seattle Sounders DeAndre Yedlin and Clint Dempsey, but the true stars of the night were Timber Joey along with the Portland Timbers' Will Johnson and Thorns FC's Alex Morgan. After chatting with Timber Joey about his lumberjack roots and having him stay on stage with his chainsaw, the duo spoke with all of the guests while marveling at the incredible atmosphere Portland has presented not just for MLS All-Star Week, but throughout its long soccer history.
"This place is proper bonkers," said Davies while interviewing Timbers captain Johnson. "This is like soccer crazy here."
Johnson agreed and spoke about how playing here and representing the club is an honor.
“It’s amazing. I’m the luckiest guy in this city to get to play in front of these fans every week," said Johnson. "Seriously, sometimes I’ve got to pinch myself because I’m so lucky and fortunate to be a part of something that’s so special. This Army, these fans, what we’re doing here in Portland, it’s unprecedented in my opinion. I’m happy to be a part of it.”
For U.S. National Women's Team star and Thorns FC forward Morgan, she explained to the pair that there's nothing like the committed Rose City support for a women's team anywhere.
"This is the largest crowd in the world that has represented for a female club team," said Morgan. "I just appreciate [the Portland fans] so much."
