Portland Timbers Allianace

The Portland Timbers Create ‘adidas Timbers Alliance’ with Elite Youth Clubs.

The Timbers create an alliance to spread development of youth soccer in region

By Ryan Kister

Eastside,Westside, and Vancouver are part of the Alliance

On February 24th, the Portland Timbers announced the creation of the ‘adidas Timbers Alliance.’ This is a partnership with elite youth clubs within the Timbers development territory.

The Timbers announced 3 clubs to join the alliance. They are Eastside Timbers (formerly Eastside United FC), Vancouver United Timbers (formerly Columbia Timbers) and Westside Timbers (formerly Westside Metros).

    “Each of these clubs share a passion and a vision for developing youth players and providing elite opportunities for youth,” said Timbers Academy Director Mike Smith. “These clubs are excellent community ambassadors for the sport and excel at player development.”

    With this alliance, the clubs get to incorporate the Timbers brand into their club name and wear an adidas Timbers Alliance badge as part of the uniform. On the field, each alliance club will wear the colors of the Timbers -red and white- in recognition of the Timbers.

    “While a partner with the Timbers, the adidas Timbers Alliance clubs will continue to maintain their own identities and will continue to be leaders, both on and off the field, within their own communities,” Smith also said.

This is the badge the Alliance teams will wear.

    "The United States has some of the best athletic talent in the world and it’s our goal to provide homegrown athletes with opportunities to play elite soccer," said Antonio Zea, director of soccer for adidas America. "With our recent extension of the Major League Soccer contract, we have put the importance of youth development at a premium and are excited about helping create youth club alliances with local MLS clubs. This partnership between the Timbers alliance clubs, the Portland Timbers, and adidas will prove to be a great step in developing the next generation of American soccer icons."

    The 3 clubs have a strong relationship with THPRD (Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District), City of Gresham Parks and Regional Recreation, North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District and Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation.

I interviewed some people who really like soccer and here is what they had to say about the ‘adidas Timbers Alliance.

    “Yes, I like playing for the Westside Timbers,” said Eric Patterson, who plays for the Westside Timbers U14 Copa team. “The Westside Timbers is a great club. They are 30th in the nation and are associated with the Portland Timbers and the MLS.

Patterson has played club or classic soccer for 1 year, going into his 2nd. Last year, he played for the Westside Metros last year when the alliance was nonexistent. He was a valuable part to the defense of the Metros U14 Real team.

Here are some more quotes from students.

“I think it’s a good start for the Timbers.” said Jaume Martinez-Calvo, a major soccer fan.. “It’s good that they have an academy team so that they can get good players from these three clubs.”

“I think it’s going to be another fail,” said Michael Muller, a soccer player and fan.

    “It’s a great opportunity for Westside players to take advantage of the Timbers playing fields, summer camps, and other skill building techniques,” says Kathi Kister, a mom of a Westside Timbers player.