As part of our inaugural group of ticket holders, Ken and Nancy won the chance to have a VIP experience for the Portland Timbers vs. NYC FC match, including KeyBank Club seats, and a chance to visit with Timber Joey on the field!
We asked Ken a few questions after the match.
What was your first memory of/first match supporting the Timbers?
"I played soccer for my school team back in the 70's, from 7th-10th grade, and was able to drag my family out to see the original NASL Timbers play a few times. I can remember sitting in what would have been the left field bleachers of Civic Stadium. I remember the fun atmosphere in the stands almost as much as I can remember the play on the field. When the team came back in 2001 I was so ready for it, and have attended the majority of home matches every year since then."
What was your favorite moment of the match tonight?
"I would have to say Mabiala's goal was my favorite moment simply because at that point I felt like maybe I could relax and consider the victory secured. We've unfortunately had a struggle finishing out matches to start out this season, so even up 2-0 at half-time I was concerned about a quality team like NYCFC staging a comeback."
Who would you nominate as Player of the Match?
"I don't know that I can choose just one Player of the Match. Everyone on the team really seemed to be playing well and working together as a team. Everyone seemed highly motivated. I didn't notice many of the missed connections and not-quite-on-target passes that seemed to plague the team in some of our earlier matches this season. Was very happy to see the defense shut down New York."
What is your prediction for the next MLS match – Timbers at San Jose Earthquakes?
"I never try to predict the future, but if we keep playing the way we did on Sunday I believe we'll have an excellent shot at winning. We need to turn the performances we've had the last two home matches into some wins on the road."
What else should we know about your Timbers fandom? Any matchday superstitions?
"I've been a soccer fan for a long time, but when my wife and I started dating almost 13 years ago she didn't follow any sports let alone soccer. I was able to turn her into a big fan and we've made several road trips together. We've been to Seattle and Vancouver many times, we attended the Timbers' first MLS match in Colorado and we went to Dallas in 2014. Our most memorable road trip was in 2009 back in the USL years when we flew to Montreal for a match, then took the train to Niagara Falls, rented a car and drove to Rochester for the match there: a six-point road trip. In Rochester we had a little Timbers Army section which included Ryan Pore's family."
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Congratulations Ken and Nancy! And thank you for your continued support!
