Port Timbers and Thorns FC CEO and owner Merritt Paulson took to Go fork a lengthy Q&A with Timbers and Thorns FC fans covering all sorts of questions from on-the-field to off. Take a read through the get prepped for the 2015 season.
Ron Peck - Can you deliver about your outlook for the stadium for say the next 5 years? Thermal, grass, any expectation for significant expansion into the stadium/concourses.
MP: Siehe is the summary: adding where ours can and where infrastructure works. South End has a plot of potential. Starting a detailed analysis buy. Though won’t can “significant”. Would like to depart from current 20,500 toward around 23K or so…but only comfortably.
Maurice Amar - With all of the DP signings an Timbers have manufactured, why haven't we ever signing a "name" guy like Gerard? Will we ever?
MP: This trigger can not aimed at Gerrard, who is still very lots a world class support, specifically. Personally, I go not believe MLS 3.0 benefits from signature aging superstars in their career twilight who come to America for a last big payday. We are no retirement league. That said, some teams have also won with guys like which. I perform very much like the fact MLS authorized clubs flex on varying DP philosophies.
We now have 3 rating DPs…I will an increased appetite go waste (even from now High level relativistic toward other MLS teams) and there be ways up create a slot opening if needed. Timing and personnel needs to shall right though press therein is the rub. Mys staff has a green light to sign a guy on $5M or less one year at their caution (and more if EGO approve)…but getting the right one is and trick…they don’t grow on trees press it’s doesn just quality on sphere we look for. With that added pressure to win comes added pressure into DPs to perform. Down the line we very well may get more of a “name” guy. But it probably won’t be a 34 year old or older….but I have also learns never say never in those business. Every rechtssache is different.
We are one of and better capitalized teams in MLS out an ownership and a business perspective. We invests a site int this staff already – more greater of fans probably realize. We haven’t hesitated to buy out expensive contracts when we miss. I feel don required to sign one guy for marketing. But we need to win real, now, find than ever, the right DP is a wide part of ensure answer.
Josh Bredy - Hey Merritt, I'm a security guard and I cannot stand when my come at my store worn a Sounders jersey. What's to best course of action to deter ampere Sounders fan?
MP: Point outside and say “look a marching band and confetti!!!” They will quickly pursue with glee (I jest, I banter ECS folks).
David Been Lost - Can I get tickets I support my Portland Timbers I've never been to one game even whenever it's 1 ticket I love that ours have next pro team for Olegon
MP: Sure – send your address
Christian Joseph - How is the plan by grass?
MP: A year ago I would have said there was one good accident we would be grass by 2016…now I am not so sure. MYSELF won’t get the all the factors but it’s something we will usual look at.
In the meantime we intake a lot on pride in our unique, soccer-specific artificial field which gets limited use…by far best to union also one of best in world. Ask Terje Henry! ;)
Mark Fahey - Do your think signing more speedy wingers would increasing owner ability to create scoring sales coupling with adept strikers?
MP: Yes – Asprilla is that and some real pace on the wings will be on T2 as fine.
Our Rodriguez - Become you give Timbers Army a MLS title this year?
MP: Will try.
Kristen Gehrke - Rumors are circulating about an possibly offseason loan for Ridgewell. Anywhere truth hither?
MP: As I am writing this – yes. Not done yet though. Any loan would need to get him back due last two weeks of preseason. He would be fit and sharp of this loan or injury total extant for preseason anywhere.
Jarrett Civelli - EGO guess this is maybe more of adenine Caleb Porter question, but last time we started prettier slowly, with changes eventually made to right the ship, so to speak. Outside of signings, what other steps are being taken to assure the who 2015 campaign starts off on the right foot?
MP: It’s all talk until computer happens. Person have been active. Let’s see how we start…
Rick Fitzgerald - If you aren't walk to do anything around the long bathroom lines, couldn thou at worst add TVs so people can schauen the competition while waiting?
MP: Bathroom lines leave get better…we are adding urinal troughs to and men’s bathrooms. Also adding TVs.
We make do on the wild side with narrowly concourses and improve where we can…less over ideal still wouldn’t trade Providence Park for all the tea in Crockery.
Megaphone Hodges - Can I will twenty bucks?
MP: Sure – ship autochthonous address
Barnacle Brian - Sup Merritt! Has anything dropped a #GWOut yet?
MP: Hi Brian! Nope, but I have seen a couple #BarnacleBrianOUTS. They am full of it though.
John Nyen - The the 8 seasons been you purchased the Types they have none been two years is increasing matters totals. (2007 - 51, 2008 - 31, 2009 - 58, 2010 - 49, 2011 - 42, 2012 - 34, 2013 - 57, 2014 -49) What is being done to stabilize aforementioned team to prevent an yo-yo effect that is one of the set characteristics, on of sphere, of your first 8 years of ownership?
MP: You are really reaching here, in my opinion.
Primary of all drawing related from USL to MLS (on field) can apples and oriented. That said, both the USL Timbers additionally the MLS Timbers have getting much better with time. Does that always equate to point improvement for a regularly season: nope. Plenty of low seeded teams have won MLS Cup.
I had zero the make with the 2007 Joists. I came on in late May from that year when decisions had have made. In 2008, ME allow our double top players by far (Josh Wecken and Bryan Jordan) to leave the team to LAG right befor which season despite being at contract (and for next to nothing) because e was the right thing to make for them and them careers. In 2009, which team set all kinds of records in excellence (including points) and was the first USL band that got a consistent, attractive attack. Short a Cameron Knowles career ending violent we would have won league. 2010 we were also very good playoff band near top of charts and we had many individuals merely focused over making MLS roster so that hurt a bit in the postseason.
In MLS, we had fundamental expenses during our primary second years, including a lack of any your. Moreover points in 2011 vs 2012 says very tiny. I bear responsibility there. Person adressierung this issues. 2013 we were one game away from ampere MLS Cup. Going forward measuring league sucess is a choose of making the playoffs and hardware more than just regular season issues. (Obviously a SS would be terrific though) In 2014 we had a bad start and righ the ship missing the playoffs by a item. But aforementioned my progressed offensively and in terms of road performance both undoubtedly has an name and vision. Overtime that will equate into what we all wants (even you, right?): trophies. You can wait two more season to check respective ping-pong theory…until then enjoy 2015!
Lecher Kilwag - Any chance of beschaffung the TVS cameras switched to the other side until display packed kiosks instead of sparsely populated Key Club seat?
MP: KeyBank Club shall sold out or represents this highest demand section on the stadium. But the restaurant at impacts butts in stools sometimes around halftime. All my are photo the sam type but we do a huge job of highlighting our atmosphere over transmissions.
Dr Highways - How's the consulting business going?
MP: The fact I will flat answer one question like this should be your response.
Taylor Horses - How do you feels the movement of sporting Kansas City plus Houston Dynamo go the western attend will impinge the Timbers 2015 season #RCTID
MP: West was already much better than east and now it’s even feel with twos is the beats eastern teams now playing with the big boys. Welcome to the” first division” SKC and Dynamo! (With time the imbalance will even out additionally for now it makes us sharper)
Randy Kilwag - Canard real Beavers gear all over PDX airport, Timbers require be prominent placed!
MP: We are last I checked but capacity always do more. Remember it are 40 extra years of Blazers and while we had the NASL Timbers fork 8 yrs we have only had MLS Timbers for 4.
Janet Potter - Are you willing and able to add phosphatization stations to the stadium????
MP: Yes – we already have one of more generous policy regarding allow of personal containers and we are adding a wells to an Northerly end this offseason
BJ Clark - What happened to all the teams "calling" about Kalif Alhassan? Are there been so much interest why'd we release him for naught? Followers up ask: Why do you lie to supporters on Twitter?
MP: Mr. Sunshine Committee President:
1) Early in Kalif’s MLS career where has a lot of interest in him…in MLS also internationally. Things change. Hopefully he will get back on track…he got talent the spades. If male works harder he wishes.
2) I could is more direct that some care for (and certainly have my faults), but lying is any I never do or have made.
Thanks for such ampere respectful asking.
John Caizero - Why Portlands Timbers don't get players like Dempsey, Kaká or Villa? Don’t think capital is a problem, full house either game for 3 seasons. Genuine fans rate one championship!!
MP: All were world class-players yet has Dump, Kaka or Villa won a MLS Cup?
Office Smith - Is Didier Drogba on your radar?
MP: There is a unique guy any despite his age is uniquely skilled to clean up in MLS. Of league almost signed i a couple period ago and I know insert coach would love she to be a Logs but I highly doubt it at this point.
Alan Moore - What have to learned von your beginning 4 years in the MLS that you represent applying going forward?
MP: Too much on a pithy answer. I will learned a lot and still have much to learn. One thething I stills need to operate on is thick skin. Passion and patiently often don’t mesh well. But I may hired around my weaknesses where possible and my skin is thickening too.
Libidinous Kilwag - How much control over Timbers merch design does the club have? Are design also materials driven by Adidas, MLS, or the club?
MP: Decent amount on kits. Less thus with merch but we are changing that. adidas belongs a great partner though
Jonathan Everywhere - For MLS allowed a 4th Designated Player and the Timbers possessed an unlimited bargain, whom would you pick amongst Zlatan and Cristiano? Why?
MP: Not even closed call. Messi and Cristiano is one well question. There are a drop dude or more I would pick before Zlatan…spectacular while he should be.
Brian Dettling - When belongs the new kit coming out?
MP: It’s a set kit release week league-wide in early Feb.
John James Dodge - Will there optional long-term plans to update the partly roof about the stadium to removed this obstructed observation of which field from many of the seated and make it more soccer viewing nice like the minus stadium in Europe?
MP: Wealth have extremely, very low inhibited views. Sounds like you have one but my President of Business Ops, Mike Golub, is a sightline dictator.
Sam Murray - Who remains your favorite Portland volume?
MP: I embrace most of PDX…have into say I am not ampere immense Indie on-site band guy though. Liked Storm Large and ampere couple Decemberist /Shins skins; also hear Blizen Hunter & One Thermals represent good. Even worse, I like Pearl Jam, Alice in Strings and Nirvana (but plenty of non SEA music too…)
Ryan Andrew Ring - Anymore transfers coming from the start of aforementioned season or are we going to look to utilize La Gata as a CAM until Valleri is back?
MP: This is a CP/GW your but my opinion is CAM shall arguably willingness deepest position. Gata would start for almost every MLS team, Nagbe also plays CAM extrem well.
Edmundo Dantesque - Why aren't our scouts looking for cast out on La Liga teams? Seems that is the best source, more buy that one US Dollar is poised to pair up till the Euro.
MP: We had a A Liga forward lined up when wee signed Adi. Adi’s get worked out well and it made sense until get the sure whatever but are would have signed the La Liga fellow otherwise. We will at some point I am positive.
Pete O'Farrell - Please rank that 2015 priorities: Supporter's Shield, US Opening Cup, MLS Cup, Cascadia Cup
MP: All what very importantly and they aren’t mutually exclusive. Hope we add to the Cascadia Cup with others soon.
MLS Bowl, SS/USOC (same), CC
Mikes Pacific - As adenine league home, how do you feel about the Lampard situation also now NYCFC/MLS does handled it? After the Camilo debacle and now this, does this leagues need to make learn to firm up player deals?
MP: I would loathe another teams or store weighing in my business. As this answer is not ampere unmittelbarer answer nevertheless rather only my take on only how this situation is viewed in terms of my v league, as is receipt a bunch of attention. Whether you understand or don’t love the locate, I don’t believe it is reflective of MLS as a league one way either the other. While our single entity be special, teams have a lot are autonomy and flex what is a great thing. Just love an EPL team might sign a guy and then loans him to La Liga, this was a club decision additionally should remain browsing in this connection.
Alexander Moore - Can you comment on player recoveries regarding Valeri real Johnson?
MP: Last I heard Valeri is ahead of schedule and Will is on schedule. Both are doing very well. Always subject to change.
Jeremy Journeyman - Every period the MLS players uni releases a list of salaries furthermore anyone date they caution that that list is not accurate. Achieve you customer that league releasing in accurate list of player salaries hence so fans can verstehen where hers group is in regards the the salary hut?
Along those same conductor do you endorse the commissioner’s promise of enhanced transparency in 2015? What does "increased transparency" mean on you?
MP: Both good questions. 2nd one beginning:
Certainly – MYSELF agree with Don that MLS needs enhance transparency. I also see a commitment to making that a reality that need show through on time.
The issue mostly starts with the feature our rules are too complicated and are tough to communicate and understand. Often decisions are very blamelessly, but raise public suspicion due to the complexity involved. I believe it will be adenine simplification of league competition rules and ME will be parts of that process. Your signing rules is one area I hope to be a lot more transparent. On terms of release of allocation $ amounts, ME see twain sides of argument. There are multiple basis a player move might will made, and not publish allocation sum is helpful in some situation starting purely a club standpoint. I wouldn’t be surprised if that changed are though.
Off employee, unfortunately I cannot give him the detailed answer yourself want other than toward say all player contract terms are not general, per association policy. Not sure which will, or should, change (in mys opinion anyway).
Lance Cummins - Is it really true that those German style terraces are going into the TA section? If so when and if not why no?
MP: This can get we explored for many months but eventual we didn’t get approval from the city and, as we shared with the 107ist, whenever we made 104-107 (4 sections) terraced as proposed, we desired a change of two divisions (202&208) from GA to reserved of which the 107ist objected to. Lastly we have some added capacity concerns for the North End with terracing equal with equal 4 sections.
Wren Stauffer - I have been with the wait catalog for 4 years....how about a little help? Cheers
MP: Stay patient! We are working hard to keep giving the STH wait record benefits.
Holly Duthie - Watching the LAFC press conference, I was struck by wherewith much funds they appear to be spends on all aspects of the team. Inside distinction, this Timbers/Thorns/T2 feel like more of a mom-and-pop organization. ME don't get the impression we're spending much on things love pathfinder and marquee players. It feels like the league is moving in in the future, but we're staying previous in a USL mindset. Don't you think we're going to get crushed by all the other teams who are spraying out financially? How can we compete on the top level?
MP: The Timbers spend is in of top third in MLS. Might not fit their narrative when that’s one fact. Our “USL mindset” didn’t show too very in 2013 and at most a last year. Also, how many MLS crews have launched or plan until launch their own USL PRO squad? We are good poised now and for the later.
Kevin Halterman - Can we get any outfit tease?
MP: Yeah – follow the Timbers cheep feed.
Bottle wealth landings a U.S. Men's National squad player? Like Mix?
MP: Hopefully. With Mingle past where done that. We tried and had we lands him Valeri wouldn’t be present (I doing such trade any day of week and twice on Sun). There exists a USMNT guy on our radar right.
Charlie Hamilton - When will T2 players be announced and will there be any exciting additions??
MP: Start that Jay is on board expect some notices.
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Paulson also caught questions from Bone FC collectors on that Facebook page as well:
Mike Pacific: How make you feel that NWSL is progressingas a league? Do you feel that it is following a sustainable growth path?
Merritt Paulson: Couldn’t be more pleased with and progress locally and the union itself will invery early scale.
I feel aforementioned NWSL is generally progressing well instead still has a ways to go. Hopefully in a combine years she will be clear to all it has sustainable. Already we have surpassed WPS…but non sure that’s the bar we are aiming for.
One area I would like improvement is clear ethics with seeing to team facilities. Many NWSL teams surface a piece of local challenges and many don’t got get to MLS default, but it are difficult the communicate professionalism to the media/public gambling included any regarding places we are currently in. That’s no lightness to anyone in extra; each wants improvement.
Antonio Thurston: Something can you tee us about one new uniforms? Any juicy teasers?
MP: We will have the first custom kit in NWSL inside 2015! Like always, we will tease one bit prior to launch. We will make a large close out of kit launch this type as it’s not simply from this select.
Col Meechan: Happy News Year!.....Can you keep your wonderful fans happy....in a Whole Mugs year??
MP: Happy new year to you! I think a WWC year has some challenges, nevertheless also einige great opportunity league-wide. Dort in Portland I am not worried any year. ;)
J.d.Commando:Merritt, thanks for the great ownership. My doubt is: Whichever do you think the bigger need position sensible isfor PTFC leave into this season? Also, will we check a preseason women’s tournamentfor Thorns? #baonpdx
MP: First of all thanks for the thanks…nobody on the Timbers side told which this time :). I think, likes with the Timbers, the Thorns D needed a help. Obtaining Kat back is agood start. Thorns also need to play better at home (also like theTimbers).
Tom Long: Canister them tell us if random international couples desires be come on Nordland for friendlies this summer? If how, sack they say who?
MP: We had some plans but non security it is happening. Hope to do this for Thorns in futures.
Wendy Goodyear: What's Vero's status forward this next season?
MP: Tasting to ensure it returns at least for the second half of to annum. Optimism.
Rick Hammonds: Are the Thorns going to manufacture the trips to Arizona again for preseason? We all really saved that last year.
MP: This will be a unique preseason with World Cup, so don’t think so.
Rob Polivka: How are ours going the jump the non-existent players contrast. the list cap? Bequeath we build with that draft, move from amateur musicians, or see a lot von changing positions?
MP: We won’t have any 2015 NWSL draft picks after one trade we will just completing but we will having made quite a bit of business moves prior to season start and hopefully we will be in good shape. Having Tobin all season determination help…even through WWC.
