When the Portland Timbers take the field Thursday night, it will represent both a beginning and an ending for the team.
Timbers start season, say goodbye to mascot
When the Portland Timbers take the field Thursday night, it will represent both a beginning and an ending for the team.
The beginning comes because the Timbers match up against the Puerto Rico Islanders is Portlands opening match of the season, which will start within the confines of PGE Park at 7 p.m.
The ending comes in the form of a finale for mascot Jim Sherrill, the long time Timbers icon that goes by the alias “Timber Jim.”
Known for sawing logs to celebrate scored goals and performing high-risk stunts, Sherrill has been the face of the team for upwards of 12 seasons and announced his retirement this past January.
Since joining the United Soccer Leagues seven years ago, Portland is 3-4-0 in opening day matches, and the Timbers have a 4-3-0 record against Puerto Rico, including four victories over the Islanders in as many matches at PGE Park.
General admission tickets for the match are available for $11 at the PGE Park box office, and an online broadcast is available at www.usllive.com. The first 1,000 fans through the PGE Park turnstiles Thursday night will receive a Farewell Timber Jim T-shirt.
