10 Things Newcastle Fans Need To Know About Portland Timbers 2

8. They Are The Fourth Team From Portland To Use The "Timbers" Name

They may have only been an MLS side since 2011, but the Portland Timbers have been around in one form or another since 1975. Back then they were part of the old North American Soccer League, which was the top-level professional football division in the US and Canada, with the final being named the "Soccer Bowl". After the NASL ceased to be in 1985, the Timbers played in the West Alliance Challenge series round-robin tournament against FC Seattle, the San Jose Earthquakes and the Canadian side Victoria Riptides, as well as the Edmonton Brickmen and the Canadian national team. This competition lasted through until 1990, then the team folded. However the Timbers returned to compete in the USL back in 2001 - a competition they played in until they were accepted into the MLS in 2011.