It’s home opener week. We got lots of information to share this week. Spread the word!
Sunday: Do’s and Don’ts
Monday: Tifo 101 + the National Anthem
Tuesday: Guide for First-Timers
Wednesday: Guide for Veterans
Thursday: Game day!
So your first Timbers game is quickly approaching, and lucky you, you’re sitting with the Timbers Army! Are you a little anxious? Excited? Worried about what you might have heard about us from your Grandpa or a confused Oregonian journalist?
That’s alright. We all had a first time in our lives, but we surely won’t ever forget it, and neither will you!
In honor of all our new friends joining us in The North End, here are a few tips to make your first game the most enjoyable experience possible.
- Stretch. You’re going to be doing a lot of standing. And yelling. And singing. Possibly some drinking. The off-season is hard on all of us, which is why there’s a pre-season: it gets us warmed up for the regular season. Wear some comfy shoes (preferably ones that can withstand occasional beer spillage) and get ready for a workout.
- Read. Can’t make out what we’re singing? No problem! We’ve got lyric sheets for all our chants at the 107ist booth in the concession area. (Get a head start and print one out at home.) You’ll be singing like a pro (in our eyes, at least) in no time!
- Relax. We’re all here to do two things: support the Timbers and have a good time doing it. Nobody wants to get into a scuffle. If you need to lay off the beer, that’s fine. If someone else does, kindly help them out. This is a fun sports event, not a drinking contest.
- Spread. Remember that ‘107’ is a state of mind, not an address. The old days of clamoring to be stuck in the thick of it are over. You no longer HAVE to be in section 107 to get the full TA effect. We got 16 sections of the North End (101-108; 201-208) to play in. There’s plenty of room for everybody.
- Participate. We pride ourselves on being Silicon Forest social media savants, but this is not the time to bury your head into your iPhone and post updates to Twitter or Facebook. Unless you’re texting your FFF (Flounders-fan-frienemy) that the Timbers just scored, keep the phone in your pocket and join in the fun.
- Learn. Nobody expects you to be an expert after one match. If you would rather play the role of observer at your first match, we suggest sitting somewhere in the 200 level seats and witnessing the party from up on high. There’s no need to dive right into the deep end of the 100 level seats from the get-go.
- Prompt. More than any other season, it will pay greatly to arrive early this year. Saving a couple seats near you is fine, but holding 20 seats for your lazy pals right up until kick-off is not a good way to introduce yourself to the TA.
- Play. We’re all here because it’s fun. We hope you are as well.
Questions? Post them here. The veterans will surely help you out.
Tomorrow, a guide for the veterans. Yeah, they need one, too.
And as a corollary to “Learn,” ASK! Yes, even about the offside rule.
As Timber Jim says, we’re here to spread the love.
Spread. Remember that ‘107’ is a state of mind, not an address. The old days of clamoring to be stuck in the thick of it are over. You no longer HAVE to be in section 107 to get the full TA effect. We got 16 sections of the North End (101-108; 201-208) to play in. There’s plenty of room for everybody.
Cannot be emphasized more.
“Yes, even about the offside rule.”
Anyone want a little youtube offside explanation, complete with finger puppets and Clue pieces and what to REALLY look for?
YES!
“Prompt. More than any other season, it will pay greatly to arrive early this year. Saving a couple seats near you is fine, but holding 20 seats for your lazy pals right up until kick-off is not a good way to introduce yourself to the TA.”
As many on SCUSA have already stated this applies to ALL not just the people NEW to the sections. If you have been standing at the same seats for 5, 6, 10 years, great, get there early enough to “keep” them. If someone new wants to be there share the love and don’t be the “where were you in 02″ guy/gal. Remember it is GA and the more ardent supporters the team has the more successful it will be on and off JELD-WEN field.
I am a newbie and proud of it. First time buying season tickets to a sport that I love. What time do the gates open for the TA season ticket holders?
107 minutes before kick off. 90 minutes for everybody else.
Cant wait till Thursday! Its going to be legendary!
Pingback: Fan 101: The Timbers Army | ThePortlander
follow the lead of the capos. there is a larger picture in mind and they are the only ones able to see the forest.
Not the first time for me in the North End, but it will be the first time I am going believing I am part of the Army. Can’t wait for my Friday morning sore throat.
So I remember reading in the season ticket sales info that there was a TA entrance and that we are allowed in early or something is that true?
essentially I am trying to figure out when the gate opens to the joint!
Where to Enter: Timbers Army full season ticket holders can enter 107 minutes (one hour & 47 minutes) before kickoff at Gate 3, located behind section 107 on Morrison Ave. Gate 2 on the KeyBank Plaza (18th & Morrison) will be open 90 minutes before kickoff.
Thanks!
Pingback: Match Day Fix – 4.14.2011 | Portland Timbers MLS Blog - Dropping Timber
What is the official TA position on the nickname of our field?
I watched, I learned a lot….to further the learning can you post what chants were repeated the most? (PT/FC I got for sure). I was awesome but at times hard to make out words and thus hard to find on my handy dandy printed chant list. appreciated!
Where might one go if they were interested in purchasing a “No Pity” scarf?
So if you have a timbers army section ticket can you get in 107 minutes early? or do you need to be an official timbers army member. and most importantly where do i get a Timbers Army Scarf??
Just your Timbers Army Ticket. I will help you to have a scarf, but not a requirement. But you can come in at 107 minutes proir to the start of the match!
What if i just wanna actually watch the game and not dance and jump around like a drunken clown???? Bunch of wannabe Euro-philiac losers.
Then maybe you’re buying tickets in the wrong section? If the TA experience is not for you then there are 15,000 other seats within the stadium to watch from.
In some sections they even sit for 95% of the match. Imagine that!
This is also known as being an Seattle Flounders supporter.