I have been reading about the Hacienda Futsal pitch (and blogging about it) for over a year. On my most recent trip to Portland to see the second leg of the MLS Western Finals, I finally got to visit this amazing facility. I woke up early on Saturday and headed up Sandy to 60th before cutting east to: Baltazar Ortiz Community Center. The Hacienda pitch was amazing. After juggling and working on my left foot’s shot, I decided to hunt for a pickup game; I really wanted to play.
First, I stopped at an aged field in a fancy neighborhood, the pitch was surrounded by beautiful trees and wonderful morning light, but no one playing footy.
Then, I stopping by a new astro grass field at Grant HS. One end of the pitch was swarmed by ultimate frisbee players and the other end with two groups of soccer players segregating themselves by age and gender. I talked to both groups and heard about the “cab driver” pickup game at “Madeline”
Madeline Parish School has a nice little astro-grass half-pitch facility (with covered basketball). I did not plan ahead and ended up playing pick-up in jeans. This gave me a strategic advantage, because no one takes the white boy in jeans seriously, at least not until he scores twice, dices up some people, and nutmegs another.
I was really impressed with the sportsmanship and the skill of the pick-up players. There were way to many people playing for the game to be constructive, but most pick-up showcases individuals skill and creativity in tight spaces… this game was no exception. I saw some really slick foot-skills; the game helped me see the game in a slightly new way, and I have a new skill to practice.
Though I have barely been able to scratch the surface, I can tell Portland has an amazing Footballing Community. It is probably fractured and self segregating at times, like most FCs, but the game is played by the people all over the city.
SUNDAY:
I will be honest, a two goal lead is nothing in Football, long howled as “the most dangerous lead” by color commentators; I was not worried about the historic comeback I traveled to experience. I have played in thousands of games and know that a team, when completely focused and dedicated to the win, has the ability to make amazing things happen, especially in the playoffs, and especially with home field advantage. Plus, I know how hard it is to repeatedly beat a team, and RSL had the distinct disadvantage of having to handle the Timbers one last time, in front of the Timbers Army, with the most dangerous lead in footy.
I found a pre-game tifo a little humble, but the general attitude of the city was one of resolved destiny, which really surprised me. I saw the comeback.. 3-1 Timbers regular time win forcing a scoreless OT, then the Timbers winning in dramatic fashion in PKs. My dream was thwarted as the Timbers fell with fight in their hearts and skill in their game.
I had a great time at the game and was glad to bring the season to a resolution in person at Jeld-Wen. 2012-2013 was an amazing season for the Portland Timbers and it was a venue for me to experience a little slice of Portland’s Footballing Community.
I see the below video as a prime example of the pride and passion the Portland Footballing Community has for the Portland Timbers. The Timbers Army‘s love and dedication to the PTFC is a shining example of Footballing Community in the MLS.
I am happy to find out the Timbers Army, through Operation Pitch Invasion , has a field initiative that will benefit another neighborhood in the city, much alike the Hacienda futsal pitch.
“The New Columbia community is home to nearly 1,200 kids from 22 countries speaking more than 11 different languages and we see Bless Field as a place where all of these kids can share the common language that is the beautiful game. Bless Field is designed to support AC Portland sponsored work through nearby Rosa Parks Elementary School and after-school programs through the Regence Boys & Girls Club.” (http://pitch-invasion.org/blessfield/)
Promise that the Portland Footballing Community will grow stronger and Football in the US is moving to the next level.
(Note the Bless Field scarf supporting the OPI Bless Field field initiative.
Footballing Community 