Sounders fans chanted: “You’re in the MLS because of us!” Timber Jim cut down the Space Needle with his chainsaw and Portland’s public enemy number one, Sounders striker Roger Levesque cut through Portland’s defense to drive a header into the back of the net one minute into the match in quick response to Portland’s “friendly” gesture.

A banner that was displayed at the bottom of the Timbers Army supporters section read: “Tonight your legend becomes history” (a response to a Sounders sign that reads, “Tonight our history becomes legend”)

A sign that read “Keller, do the Cobain” was proudly hoisted by a Timber Army recruit. Bad form? Poor Taste? Probably, but this is Seattle verses Portland folks and there ain’t no pitty in “the rose city”. This is the kind of stuff that is part of the charm of one of the greatest derby’s in U.S Soccer.

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If I were to describe my experience in Portland in two words, it would be sensory overload. The sights, the smells and the sounds were spectacular. Sixteen thousand fans make a lot of noise at PGE Park. The place has history and charm. While gazing out into the stadium, One could not help but recall the days when Pele and former Sounder Jimmy McCalister battled it out on the pitch in “Soccer Bowl 77′” One only imagine how nice it will be when the renovations take place to turn the venue into a real futebol stadium.

Being on the pitch was like being at a rock concert. You had the Timber Army on their end and the ECS in their area, both doing their thing in full effect. Sandwiched between the two groups, you had Portland and some Seattle fans all doing their thing. Freddie Ljungberg shared how impressed he was with the crowd in the tunnel after the match and after training yesterday. Not a bad endorsement, he has seen it all.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I came to Portland. I have heard the stories about the “hatred” between the two clubs. “Should I take my Sounders bumper sticker off my rig?” I seriously asked myself before the drive down.

I thought the fans and the press staff in Portland were terrific. Yes, The Timber Army are passionate, but even if I were wearing my Sounders kit, I would not have felt like I needed to walk around with a bodyguard. Sure there were a few isolated incidents that involved rowdy soccer fans and alcohol, but you are always going to have these kinds of situations at a real derby. All in all, there were no major skirmishes that were worth reporting on. The bloggers will probably cover that one anyway.

Tuesday night was Portland’s MLS coming out party two years ahead of schedule. The night was colorful, loud and full of passion. It was a great night for U.S soccer. Portland and Seattle both did themselves proud in giving the rest of the soccer community a taste of what a really authentic derby can be in Major League Soccer. Portland may have lost the match, but they won by providing a great match-day experience and environment for soccer fans, regardless of the color of one’s kit.

Check out the sites and sounds from Portland with SFI TV…