Editor's Note: Fans have been coming far and wide to Columbus, Ohio for the Portland Timbers epic match against Columbus Crew SC in Sunday's 2015 MLS Cup (1pm PT, ESPN). For Cesar Diaz, founder of the Timbers Army regional supporter's group NY Loggers in New York City, MLS Cup presented a great opportunity for a great road trip. This is his story.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The only MLS Cup road trip I had planned was the one to Harrison, New Jersey. After last week’s MLS Eastern Conference Championship second leg, that wasn’t the case. Nevertheless, our Portland Timbers made it to the MLS Cup!
Cup Bound and Down, I was off to Columbus, Ohio. The only problem at hand was how. Do I fly? Do I rent a car? Do I take a bus/train? Where will I stay? How long is the commute and how much? I don’t know about you but planning a last minute road trip is a tedious and frustrating task.
Throw in the tidal waves of emotions; I felt I was back in high school trying to get a date for my senior prom. Along with that, I had no idea who I was going to travel with and where I was going to stay. If I’ve learned anything from previous road trips is that it could strengthen or destroy relationships.
No matter who you’re traveling with, I recommend you always carry a “Greyhound Fund” because you never know. Just when I’m about to contact our members from the NYC-based Timbers supporters group, the NY Loggers, I received a text.
My Oregonian friend and longtime Timbers supporter, Jonathan Chan, had messaged me that he had purchased two MLS Cup tickets and we were going to take a road trip to Columbus. With the road trip set, it was easy to get excited about the Timbers playing in their first championship match since 1975.
As a New Yorker, I would have never guessed that I would see the Portland Timbers compete in a championship before the New York Jets. Nevertheless, they are the Jets and I shouldn’t be surprised. We’re off to Columbus, Rose City Till I Drive!
Throughout our drive to Columbus, we barely talked about the MLS Cup and the Timbers season. From New York City to Columbus, it’s an 8-10 hour drive. Throw in the fact that both of us were born in 1976, our 39-years-old bodies were no longer built to handle the duration of sitting in a car and driving to a destination for a long period of time.
As New Yorkers on-the-go, we did at least 8-7 stretch and rest stops. Again, the only road trip I had planned on taking was the one to Harrison, NJ. On a positive note, we did go back to 1998 and purchased a plethora of Slim Jim and Mountain Dew for old time’s sake.
So what did we talk about? We talked life, career, family and relationships. Don’t get me wrong, we’re excited about the Timbers making their MLS Cup debut but as New Yorkers, our sports teams here have consistently found ways to disappoint us and the millions who follow them. Need a reference, look at the MLS club that plays in Harrison, NJ.
I know, I know… I continue to reference Harrison, NJ. If there wasn’t a chance that the MLS Cup would have been played there, I would be fine about it. But to live in New York and know I was a PATH ride away from Red Bull Arena has me shaking my head.
But to be fair, if things didn’t turn out the way it did, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to enjoy the scenery and people we met along our drive. It was fun reading updates on the web and social media because even though we were talking about it, we both knew were excited to see all our fellow supporters at the pre-MLS Cup shindig at The Three-Legged Mare.
As pleasant and safe as our drive was to Columbus, we realized in West Virginia that neither of us had booked a hotel room. It was either sleep outside the Waffle House’s parking lot or find an affordable place for the night.
Last time, I promise… the only road trip I planned on taking was the one to Harrison, NJ. Luckily, we managed to book a room at the Crowne Plaza. Not only was it affordable, the hotel also had a gym and it was near the Waffle House.
After 10 hours on the road, we finally arrived to Columbus and checked into our room. Minutes later, we took a taxi to downtown Columbus to meet everyone at the Timbers Army pre-MLS Cup party. It was great to see old friends and finally meet those I follow on social media.
Knowing that we had arrived safely to Columbus, now was the time to talk about Timbers MLS Cup debut. Seeing the beautiful sea of green while listening to the Timbers Army chant for our Timbers was the moment that reminded me why I became a Timbers supporter in the first place.
From the Timbers Army to the front office, you guys are amazing. There’s so many people to thank and I apologize for not mentioning your names in this article. You welcomed me into your community and family four years ago. Being an old school NASL fan who was born into the New York Cosmos, I’ve always appreciated and loved the Timbers history and colors.
Four years later, we’re now together because our team in green will be playing in their first championship in 40 years. Our road trip isn’t over yet because we have to return back to the New York tonight. Speaking of New York, for those you in our area, please join the NY Loggers at Foley’s NY (18 W. 33rd St). For any questions, tweet them at @NYLoggers. It’s going to be a party tonight!
Overall, this is one of the best road trips I’ve ever taken. While our club's primary location is Portland, Oregon, Timbers love is worldwide. With that said, I love you all! Rose City Till I Die! Go Timbers!
Cesar Diaz is a writer. You can follow him at @gritwriter.
