Portland Timbers 2012 MLS First Kick

Last weekend Sean and I went to Portland for the First Kick of the Portland Timbers’ MLS Season.  We stayed in the middle of downtown in a high-rise hotel with a view of the American Bank Building.

 It’s good to see that serious businesses have serious beer pong leagues in Portland.

 Art.

 People were already lined up outside Gate 3 when we walked by in the morning.

This sign was just a block away from the stadium.  It’s not a bad marketing ploy.  I wouldn’t mind living that close.

 Trees were already starting to bloom in Portland even with the threat of snow.

 Hipster bicycle basket.

 The new MAX and Street Car bridge being built between OMSI and the South Waterfront.

A bridge in mid-lift.

 An episode of Grimm was being filmed near the federal buildings in Portland.

A Spanish-American War memorial in what I believe is the park that the Occupy Portland camps used.  All of the grass is still closed off and just starting to come back to life.

 The stag statue.

A pioneer memorial.

Waiting in line outside of JeldWen Field.  We waited in the line for Gate 3.  As the time drew near to enter the stadium, word went out that Gates 1, 2, 3, and perhaps others would allow General Admission (Timbers Army) tickets through.  In years past it was only Gate 3.  This caused general confusion and resulted in people who had been waiting since early in the day to get much worse seats than people who showed up just before the gates opened.  I was rather disappointed in the whole affair but we still were able to get okay seats.

In the stadium waiting for the rest of the fans to show up.  We sat in the 207 section just above the concourse passageway.  There were some pilots for Horizon Air sitting behind us who were fun to talk with.  The Timbers won the home opener game 3-1.  It was a wonderful game and there was great TIFO.  Can’t wait for the next home game!