Portland Soccer, February 7

In their third preseason game the Timbers beat the Seattle Sounders 1-0. Mikael Silvestre scored the goal in the 61st minute following a series of close shots from a corner kick. Portland played mostly their first team for the first sixty minutes before putting in the reserves for the final half hour. Seattle played some of their first string for the first half. The two teams were not evenly matched but the key in the preseason is to see how well your team's players play together. Although they only scored one goal the Timbers completely dominated the match. They were able to keep the ball for most of the match and didn't allow many shots at all from the Sounders.

The score of this game shows one of the unique qualities of soccer. There was only one goal so just by looking at the score you might think the game was close. But according to stories on the game from newspapers and bloggers who were there the Timbers were much better than the Sounders. This situation, where a team that plays much better than their opponent but doesn't blow them out, happens often in soccer.  You will want to go beyond the score and read reports on the game, check the stats (such as possession, shots, and corner kicks), and see some highlights of the game to really get a sense of how a team did.

Portland has one more game in Arizona, against FC Tucson, the U-23 club that is hosting these games. They play Friday at 10 am and you can watch online at portlandtimbers.com.

New Timbers

There are several players new to the team this year, and we'll be looking at them as we approach the start of the season on March 3. I'm going to start with the newcomer who most fans agree is the making the biggest impression, Diego Valeri. Valeri is a 26-year-old midfielder from Argentina. As a midfielder his role on the team is to pass the ball to the forwards and get then in a position to score. This is a key position and one of the reasons the Timbers struggled last year was the performance of the midfield when attacking the goal. Those who have been watching the preseason games say he's strong, smart, and makes good decisions with the ball. He also scored a brilliant free kick goal in the win against Colorado last Tuesday. 

Next week I'll be back with a report on the Timbers' game against FC Tucson and a look at some more new Timbers. 

Seth Hunt on Portland Soccer, Feb. 5

This is Seth Hunt welcoming you to the first soccer post on Craw's Corner. I want to thank Greg Crawford for giving me the opportunity to talk a little about soccer to you, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I've been watching soccer since my freshman year at the University of Portland in 1999 and in 2009 I began following the Timbers. I'm looking forward to teaching you a little about the game and the teams we have here in Portland.

First of all, of course, is the Portland Timbers. This year will be their third in MLS and they will want to improve significantly from last season. They finished next to last in the Western Conference and the best fans in the league definitely want more. The biggest news in the offseason was the new coach they hired. Caleb Porter comes from the University of Akron, one of the top men's college soccer teams in the nation. As a college coach Porter produced many players who have gone on to play professionally, including Portland Timber Darlington Nagbe. 

The Timbers have had two preseason games in Arizona, with their last this morning before they come home for more preseason training. Last Tuesday they beat Colorado 3-1 and they lost to Kansas City 1-0 Friday. It's only been two games but the style of play Porter is installing looks encouraging. The Timbers have also had good performances so far from some of their key new players such as Diego Valeri and Jose Valencia, who came to Portland last year but missed the entire season recovering from a knee injury. The game today, against Seattle, will start at 9:30 AM and will be streamed live at mlssoccer.com. 

The Timbers also have an under-23 team, made up of college-age players, that plays during the summer in the United Soccer League's Premier Development League. The conference they are in includes other clubs from Washington and British Columbia. Some of these home games take place at Jeld-Wen Field and others are at high schools in the Portland area. I like watching the U-23 team because there are very talented young players who might someday play professionally. It's already happened: Steven Evans, who is from Portland, went to Central Catholic High School and the University of Portland, was one of the top players on the Timbers U-23s the last few years. He recently signed a professional contract with the Timbers. I'll be checking in on the U-23s when their season gets started in May. 

Not only is there men's soccer in Portland, now there is a professional women's team. The Portland Thorns are a new team in a new league, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Right now they are putting together their team and getting ready for the season to start in April. They began with Christine Sinclair and Alex Morgan, two forwards who are among the best women's players in the world. This team could be very good and definitely worth watching. 

In the fall the MLS season comes to an end but the college soccer season begins and runs until early December. To me this means games at the best college stadium anywhere (and the best grass soccer field on the West Coast), Merlo Field. The Portland Pilots lead the nation in average attendance, which goes to show why Portland has earned the name "Soccer City, USA." The women's team has won national championships in 2002 and 2005 and both the men's and women's teams have earned numerous conference titles. 

That's a summary of the soccer I watch during the year and will be talking about here. For those of you new to the game I will also try to teach you a little about it by going into the rules, history, teams, etc. Thursday I'll review the last preseason game and talk a little about the new players. See you then. 

Twitter: @sethhunt105

sethhunt@msn.com

Greg Crawford On Small College Basketball +Sports Biz

January 1st, 2001

By Greg Crawford @wchoops

To read more of Greg Crawford, please go to www.csnnw.com/pages/ncaabasketball

NWC---The Northwest Conference is a great league with so many talented teams. Obviously led by "The Whits", who come to the Willamette Valley this week to meet Lewis and Clark. It is not the only key game in the valley, as rivals meet, when Linfield takes on George Fox, a game in which both teams need to have, to contend down the road in the NWC.

Pacific is playing some great basketball at present, it will be interesting to see how they compete against "The Whits", Whitman and Whitworth, who presently lead the league with 2-0 records. If you blink, you miss the NWC season, so get out and see some games this weekend, as the regular season will be done in the middle of February.

Most NWC games are played on Friday and Saturday, with usually a Tuesday game each week.

Multnomah----The Lions have had some time off for the Christmas break, but will get back at it this week on the road against West Coast Baptist, before heading to Florida for two games. The next home action for Multnomah will take place on January 19th, when West Coast Baptist returns a game with the Lions in Portland.

NWAACC---Congrats are in order once again to head coach Clif Wegner, for putting together and putting on, along with athletic director Jim Martineau a wonderful holiday event at Randall Hall on the Clackamas Community College campus.

There is not rest for the anyone in the NWAACC as league play gets underway this week, for the most part each Wednesday and Saturday night. The Cougars play host to SWOCC on Saturday, with the women's game starting at 2:00 and men follow at 4:00.

Also in the NWAACC, across the Columbia River, the Clark Penguins will host South Puget Sound on Wednesday evening the 2nd, on their Vancouver, Washington campus. Clark was 7-2 in the preseason and is coming off an impressive win over Umpqua as they start league play.

Also getting underway this week is Portland Community College. It is great to see that Tony Broadous is building a program at the NE Portland school. Tony reports to me the outstanding work of the team in the classroom should not go unnoticed so far this year, with a great team GPA. Broadous will win at PCC, he knows how, as in 2008 he coached the Grant Generals to the OSAA state championship.

In closing out the with the CCC Holiday tournament, congrats to the Peninsula Pirates for their second consecutive tournament win and also there second NWAACC tournament win in the 2012-13 season.

CCC---The Cascade Collegiate Conference. like the NWC is terrific, but it has a little different look this year, with Oregon Tech at present in the basement, something rarely seen and Eastern Oregon atop the league,  as the Mountaineers are having a wonderful season, with 17 wins and one loss so far.

Lots of great action coming up in the CCC this coming Friday and Saturday, with Concordia/Warner Pacific visiting the Washington schools, Northwest and Evergreen.

(NOTE: If you would like to improve your public speaking/presenting, Greg Crawford Speaks is making it very affordable all the way through Valentine's Day. Please go to http://gregcrawfordspeaks.weebly.com and contact us for more information.

Also, if you would like to get Today's WORD and narrative each morning from Greg Crawford, please just email gregorycrawfordspeaks@gmail.com and put WORD in the subject line. You will be joining the other 125,000 people who get this each day, of which is changing the way they look at life.)

Greg Crawford On Small College Hoops+Sports Biz

Sunday, December 2nd 2012

By Greg Crawford @wchoops

It was really a big week for small college hoops in the Pacific Northwest.

CCC----What a league this could be this year, as all teams opened league play this past weekend. It does not appear you can ever take a night off, top to bottom is pretty darn good.

Interesting to note that on Saturday night, Northwest Christian at home knocked off defending national champion OIT.

Eastern Oregon continued its winning ways, remaining undefeated for the year by polishing off Concordia and Warner Pacific at home.

Also winning twice on the weekend was Southern Oregon, beating Corban and Northwest Christian on the road.  This was after,  this season already beating Oregon Tech in a non-league game at home.

The next league action for most teams, comes on the weekend of December 21st/22nd, even though most teams will play non-league games before that time and Warner Pacific does visit Concordia for a counter on the 15th of December.

Fasten your seat belts, it is going to be one great season for the Cascade Collegiate Conference.

NWC---The Northwest Conference appears like the CCC to have some really nice balance. Linfield contributed to that balance by defeating Lewis Clark at home on Friday night and then the Pioneers came home, only to lose to the George Fox Bruins on Saturday night.

The Northwest Conference gets back into league play the first week of January, with the exception of a Tuesday night game when Linfield visits Willamette, a key early season match-up.

Multnomah University---It was a tough three days for Curt Bickley's Lions, as they hosted a wonderful tournament that featured Portland Bible, Central Bible College and Valley Forge Christian College. (You can read more about Central Bible College and their unique situation in the December 3rd edition of Crawford's Court, www.csnnw.com/pages/ncaabasbetball)

Even though the Lions lost all three games in the tournament, they battle as well as any team and are exciting to watch with their many 3-point attempts.

The Lions are back in action this week, with two 4:00 pm games, an easy time to attend a game. Tuesday night they face Adelaide from Australia and on Friday, the powerful California Maritime.

Clackamas Community College---The Cougars, led by coach Clif Wegner easily defeated the Concordia JVs on Friday, as they tune-up for league play which starts the first week in January.

This Tuesday, at 7:00 pm, the Cougars take on Linfield JVs, which should be an up and down affair, so get out and see this game, as well as just see a game period.

And speaking of taking on, I am going to take on any league that plays league games and then takes anywhere from 3-4 weeks before they play league contests again. It is stupid, it makes no sense and I hope someday it changes. Too long to wait between league games, end of story.

In the next 90 days, Greg Crawford will see 100 college basketball games live, which he is really looking forward too. You can check his progress every Monday in Crawford's Court, www.csnnw.com/pages/ncaabasketball and please follow him on twitter @wchoops. It will be called "100 in 90".

Greg Crawford On Sports Biz +Small College Hoops

Greg Crawford covers D-1 college basketball for Comcast SportsNet, CSNNW.com (www.csnnw.com/pages/ncaabasketball, but he never forgets the "little guys" of college basketball and that is why each Sunday he covers small college hoops and another love of his, sports business.

ADOPTED TEAM---- Much the same as I do for CSNNW.com, where I have adopted the Cal State University Bakersfield Roadrunners for the entire season, in my blog here I have adopted the Oregon Tech Hustlin Owls.

The Owls did not have the best week in their storied basketball program, shocking they lost twice. Losses came at the hands of Southern Oregon (non-league game) and Lewis-Clark State. Not all of bad however, as they defeated a really good New Hope Christian team, 77-72.

But today, I would like to once again talk about the iconic Coach of the Owls, Danny Miles. First off, I really appreciate the fact that Coach Miles often writes to me on various subjects, way beyond basketball and I appreciate that very much. But more importantly, once again, I have to mention, why in the world is Danny Miles not in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

To everyone's credit, Coach Miles is in every other Hall of Fame you can think of, as it relates to his profession.  It truly is a crime that he is not in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. And in case you question my thoughts on this, just go ahead and look at who is in the Basketball Hall of Fame, that states my case the best.

The good part about all of this, I am sure the quality of person Coach Miles is and what you hear about him everyday, he probably could care less about this subject and never even thinks about it. That is why I, along with many other people need to keep reminding the basketball world and beyond, that it is a joke that Coach Miles is not in the Basketball Hall of Fame, the gold standard for basketball hall of fames.

And for people reading this, I have no horse in this race, except doing the RIGHT THING. Despite the fact that Coach Miles writes to me, we really are not friends, we have spoken personally twice. So in conclusion, I am a humble person, ask anyone that knows me, but also I am powerful figure in the world of basketball and I am not going to stop writing about or talking about this subject, until it happens.

Eastern Oregon---Don't look now, but Mountaineers are 12-0, coming off a great sweep this weekend of the Tacoma schools, members of the Northwest Conference, Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran. Both of those schools are so tough to beat on the road, so there is no disputing this is a wonderful Eastern Oregon team and I can hardly wait to see them in person.

It also once again proves how great the Cascade Collegiate Conference is, when it comes to men's basketball. Outstanding coaches, up and down, make for good basketball teams and that is what the CCS is all about, not to discount great student/athletes.

Multnomah University----Curt Bickley has his team playing their best basketball of the season as they go into a stretch this week that sees them play three consecutive nights, starting Thursday against Portland Bible, Central Bible and Valley Forge Christian. 

The Lions are exciting to watch, so get out there this week if you are in the Portland, Oregon. Game time each night is 7:00 pm

Clackamas CC Cougars---As I write this on Sunday, November 25th, after I am done, I will be heading over to watch the championship game of the CCC Cougars annual Thanksgiving women's tournament, which starts at 3:00. It should be a wild, high scoring affair, as the host Cougars take on Umpqua. Looking at what has happened so far, both teams easily could score in the 100s. I love up and down basketball, always have.

Pacific U (Forest Grove)---When Pacific University hired Tim Cleary to be their basketball coach in 2010, I said to myself, watch out, he will bring a winner to a school that for many years has not had good basketball.

My thoughts are proving out, as the Boxers just completed a sweep in Hawaii, over two tough opponents. Of course, it does not hurt that the Boxers have one of the most exciting players in the state of Oregon, no matter what the level, in Danny Brakebush, who is showing why many schools wanted the Central Catholic product to play for them.

Northwest Conference better watch out for Pacific, if they don't, well.......

In addition to his many duties bringing you news about basketball, Greg Crawford writes a Today's WORD and narrative each morning, to help people make their lives better personally and/or professionally. As of today, over 16,000 people receive Today's WORD. If you would like to get Today's WORD free of charge each morning, just email gregorycrawfordspeaks@gmail.com and put WORD in subject line.

Please follow Greg on twitter @wchoops and he will also respond to all questions and comments, you can reach him at either gregorycrawfordspeaks@gmail.com and crawscorner@gmail.com

Greg Crawford On Sports BIz + Small College Hoops

OIT----My adopted small college team for this season in Craw's Corner, the Oregon Tech Hustlin Owls, had the proverbial good and bad week.

Traveling to Reno, to play D-1 Nevada-Reno, OIT hung in the game almost all the way, finally losing by 11 points 86-75. This game was another snapshot of just how great college basketball is on all levels in the United States. Even though there are basically seven different levels in college basketball, it is fair to say on any given night, any team can beat their big brothers in men's basketball.

The Nevada-Reno game was an exhibition, so does not count on the win-loss record, but a tough loss in Rocklin, California on Saturday night did count. After winning on the opening night of the Willam Jessup tournament, beating the hosts, Saturday night was a different story as the Owls lost by nine points to Cal State-Maritime.

The Owls hope to get back on track Tuesday night the 13th, when they face Multnomah University of Portland, Oregon in Klamath Falls.

NWC---Sticking with the team of just how good college basketball is, Pacific University (Forest Grove) played a great game on Friday night against D-1 Portland State, losing by 19 points, but getting a great performance from Danny Brakebush, who will be one of the star's of the Northwest Conference this year.

It should also be noted, not only is Pacific greatly improved, but Linfield and Lewis Clark both have excellent teams, so get out and watch some basketball in the NWC.

Clackamas Community College---It will be a big week for Clif Wegner's Cougars, as they play two good opponents at home, one Friday night, against NW Indian School at 7:00 pm and then come back and play Sunday afternoon against Bellvue CC, at 2:00. These are must see games.

Multnomah---The Lions got back to winning on Saturday night, thrashing Reed College, 94-39. It is expected that a much more competitive game will take place Saturday afternoon, the 17th, when the Lions host Simpson 3:00 pm. Great chance to take the kids to watch some great basketball, with a tremendous family atmosphere.

Concordia----After a brutal opening to the season, playing Oregon, Portland State, U of Portland and Eastern Washingon, all D-1 teams, Concordia was able to defeat Multnomah this past Tuesday. They face a real challenge on Tuesday night the 13th, as New Hope Christian comes to the NE Portland campus. New Hope has one its best teams ever, so a good test for the CAVS.

Now for some sports business.

ESPN---For a network that many said in 1979 would only last for a couple of months, now into its 34th year, the latest estimate is that ESPN's value is 40 billion.

Owned by the Walt Disney company, it is estimated that 57 percent of Disney's operating budget comes from its cable companies, which of course is led by ESPN and a distant second Disney Channel.

Bottom Line---If you have an idea, never give up on it, until you have exhausted all possibilities.

The McCourts----Jamie and Frank McCourt use to own the Dodgers. The they got a divorce, Jamie received out of the settlement a paltry $131 million. Little did she know at the time the Dodgers would sell for $ 2 billion.

Now, we are all sure not out of greed, she wants the divorce settlement re-opened, says she got cheated and deserves more. Actually taking all the greed out of this, plus the sickness, she probably is right, when you just look at the financial aspects and the numbers.

Bottom Line----More to come on this one, more drama and hatred as well, sadly.

AEG----Were the braintrust at AEG, led by Phl Anshcutz happy to see Mike Brown go as the Lakers coach. Probably so, considering AEG owns a share of the Lakers, not to mention they own and operate the Staples Center. 

A failing Laker team is bad for business, in the still competitive LA sports market, let alone AEG is for sale at present, at an estimated price of asking price of 8-10 billion.

Bottom Line----The 10 billion is in play, with a successful Laker team.

This Blog is brought to you by Greg Crawford. Greg is the COO of Greg Crawford Speaks (http://gregcrawfordspeaks.weebly.com and Kiyokawa Crawford Sports Management (http://kiyokawacrawfordsportsmanagement.weebly.com)

To reach Greg Crawford, please email gregorycrawfordspeaks@gamil.com. If you would like to receive Greg Crawford's now famous today's WORD, just email him and put subscribe in the subject line. The today's WORD is a hit with business leaders, sports execs and many people wanting to improve their professional and personal lives.

Greg Crawford On Sports Biz + Small College Hoops

ATTENTION READERS: Starting and each and every Sunday, throughout the college basketball season, I am going to write the first half of my blog on sports business and the second half on small college basketball.

This blog is brought to you by Greg Crawford Speaks. To learn more about Greg Crawford Speaks, please go to http://gregcrawfordspeaks.weebly.com. We can help you become a better public speaker/presenter quite easily and at very reasonable fees. Also if you are looking for a great speaker for a lunch, dinner or conference, legendary voice of the Blazers Brian Wheeler is your person. His message is powerful, informative and will have you on the edge of your seat.

The Great Debate----With the so tragic and painful to many from the results of hurricane sandy (i do not capitalize hurricanes, they do not deserve it) of course it started the great debate, "When do we play and how will playing sports have either a negative or positive impact".

I will say after September 11th, sports seemed to do its small part to bring us together. It is a tough call, what to do in these situations and it is one time I think politicians get beat up unfairly. Of course the biggest sports play or not play with hurricane sandy was the playing of Nets, Knicks and running the NYC Marathon.

The debate is two fold, the phycological issue of a tragedy and the economic impact, which often means needing many city resources to spend money to make money. In this case, I would have played the all games, but would not have held the marathon, as it was cancelled correctly. Just too many needed resources in other parts of NYC were needed for clean-up and security, that would have had to be taken away for the marathon. Despite the fact it would have meant huge dollars for the city, plus many people working that will now not be, it appeared to be a correct move.

What do you think, would love your opinion in the comment section below, or you can always email me with your thoughts of any subject either to crawscorner@gmail.com or gregorycrawfordspeaks@gmail.com

James Dolan---Sticking with the tragedy in NYC, I hope this changes. The Dolan family, run mostly by James Dolan, that owns the world's greatest arena, at least they say so, Madison Square Garden and the second richest team in the NBA, the New York Knicks, estimated to be worth $800 million, issued a memo to all employees last week saying they would need to take a vacation day if they were not able to make it to the Knicks/Heat game on Friday night. Is it called insensitive.

Baseball Ratings----For my money, Fox does a terrific job with covering baseball and especially the World Series. Joe Buck and Tim McCarver have sustained the test of time, but what has not sustained the test of time is the TV ratings and number of viewers.

Do you realize that to this day, the highest number of viewers ever to watch a World Series game was in 1980, it was the sixth game of the World Series between the Phllies and Royals, that attracted an audience of 54.9 million.

Sadly, the opening game of this year's World Series, had an audience of 12.2 million. Even sadder, that game was only the fourth time in World Series history that two present or former Cy Young winners were the starting pitchers. Of course the match-up was Zito vs Verelander.

High School Football---You know it had to happen and will continue to happen. The Ohio High School Athletic Association was issued a restraining order this past week by Judge Richard McMongagle not to start the playoffs, because of a dispute from teams, as to if a forfeited win during the season, would actually count as a win for any team.

The Judge has not rescinded the order and the playoffs will continue and go on. Point here, rightly or wrongly, we have seen the courts involved in all areas of sports, because it is such a big business, but now it has reached the high school level.

NOW For Small College Hoops

OIT---Much like I have started doing in my blog for CSNNW.com, adopting a team to follow each year on the D-1 level, which is the Cal State U Bakersfield Roadrunners, in this blog each Sunday, I have now adopted the OIT Hustling Owls.

And why not, they are the defending NAIA Division 2 national champions and they have a coach in Danny Miles that it is a joke he is not in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. This is not to mention they have a legendary state of Oregon broadcaster in Bobby Thompson and the school has the best college president in the country in Chris Maples.

So each Sunday, starting next week watch for some great tidbits and info on OIT basketball.

Concordia---Hats off to Brad Barbarick, Concordia head coach for taking on as tough a pre-league schedule as an NAIA team and member of the Cascade Collegiate Conference will ever do. In order, after today, the Cavaliers will have played, U of Portland, Oregon, Portland State and Eastern Washington. Wow. And I think people on both sides of the ball this past Friday night would have to admit, Concordia should have beaten Portland State, losing by three 96-93, in probably one of the greatest games ever in Portland State's Stott Center.

Attendance---You are really missing something in California, Washington or Oregon, if you do not go out and see a small college basketball game. Whether it be D-3, NAIA, Community or Junior College, plus the great Christian leagues that have teams like Multnomah and Portland Bible that I watch often. The games are family friendly, great admission and concession prices, so just get out and go please.

Clif Wegner---Congrats to Clif, the award winning coach of Clackamas Community College Cougars men's team for putting on another great Clackamas Community College basketball jamboree this past Saturday. Great teams, lots of fun and what players they have in the NWAACC.

Not to mention you never know who you might see at Clackamas Community College. Saturday it was great to see Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Dave Husted and his wife Michelle, who will be following the Cougars all year long. Of course it is a complete joke Dave Husted is not in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, 21 careers wins, plus four US Opens.

For more Greg Crawford's blogs on CSNNW.com, please go to:

www.csnnw.com/pages/ncaabasketball-------Crawford's Court
www.csnnw.com/pages/golf------Crawford's Clubhouse

If you would like to receive the Today's WORD and inspirational message from Greg Crawford, COO of Greg Crawford Speaks, please just send an email to gregorycrawfordspeaks@gmail.com and put subscribe in the subject line. Today's WORD is read daily by business leaders, sports executives, coaches and the general public and has inspired hundreds to perform better both professionally and personally.