As part of our inaugural group of ticket holders, Seamus and Ashley won the chance to have a VIP experience for the Portland Timbers vs. DC United match on May 3rd, including KeyBank Club seats, and a chance to visit with Timber Joey on the field!
We asked Seamus and Ashley a few questions after the match.
What was your first memory of/first match supporting the Timbers?
I remember going to some Timbers matches pre-MLS, in the Thirsty Thursday days. But as an MLS team, my first memory goes back to the rainy game at Merlo field against Chivas. I remember Jack Jewsbury striking a bullet for the first goal. It was quickly followed up by a second from Brunner. I left the game waterlogged, but with a huge smile on my face.
What was your favorite moment of the match today?
Tonight's match was filled with some great moments. Witnessing history with goals in the first and last minute from La Gata and Urruti was amazing. There was also some great footwork and passing throughout the game. But one play that really stuck out in my mind happened shortly before Jewsbury was subbed off. D.C. attacked up the left flank and Jewsbury raced to keep pace. Just as the D.C. player was making his cross, Jack slid in with a perfect tackle and stole the ball. It was a textbook slide tackle and the timing couldn't have been better.
Who would you nominate as Player of the Match?
Man of the Match could go to many players. Urruti, of course, made all of the difference in the way that we remember this game. Without his heroics off of the bench, we would be talking about this game very differently. Valeri showed a lot of his old form tallying up two assists--if it weren't for the post on Urruti's first shot he would have had a third. That said, I feel that Futty deserves Man of the Match. He had a great game all around. Aside from the own goal, he played a great game. He showed his hunger for goals and his ability to clear out D.C.'s attacks.
What is your prediction for the next match – Timbers versus LA Galaxy?
My prediction for L.A. is a hard-fought game and Portland's first clean sheet. The Galaxy is a tough team. That said, three goals and a victory will boost the Timbers forward. The Timbers are a team that is eager to prove last year wasn't a fluke. They are also ready to show that the kinks have been worked out and the defense is capable of coming up big. Joey, get ready to saw off three slices of the log on Mother's Day.
What else should we know about your Timbers fandom? Any game day superstitions?
As a fan, I don't have any superstitions--although after our first win I am beginning to think that it wouldn't hurt to have me set foot on the pitch before each home game. I follow all of our results and I read up each week what people are saying on the blogs. I travel a lot for work, and end up giving my ticket away often. I enjoy giving it to people who have not experienced the Timbers, because I like to share the magic that we have here. My new favorite piece of memorabilia is a Timbers onesie that we bought and had signed after the game--we are expecting in August around the time Timbers host the Sounders. We only have seven signatures so I need to work on getting more before the baby comes.
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Congratulations again, Seamus and Ashley, and thank you for your support!
If you are an Axe Society member and would like to enter to win the title of Member of the Match, please register here.
