It’s that time of year where all the clichés are spouted off talking about what we should be thankful for and how great it is that we are so fortunate. Despite the last two weekends’ almost across the scoreboard results for Oregon teams, as fans of those teams we actually do have quite a bit to be thankful for and happy about. Herein are two teams that despite crushing losses we should be happy to continue to cheer for and one other that we haven’t yet realized how lucky we are to have.
1.) The Portland Timbers may have lost in the MLS Western Conference Finals, but remember that last year they were unequivocally one of the worst teams in MLS. Caleb Porter and a flotilla of new players like captain Will Johnson, goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, and the hub of it all in Diego Valeri have led the radical transformation.
Just one year ago, if you wanted to support a winner at the top level of American soccer (and betray your hometown loyalties) you had to look anywhere but Portland. A tifo unfurled at one match during the 2012 season read “Care Like We Do”. That desperate plea was heard, and now we are home to the winner of the Western Conference regular season and a team positioned for sustained success. Beating bitter rivals Seattle Sounders in both legs of the semi-finals of the Timbers’ first ever playoff appearance simply adds it all. Considering where we came from to where we are now is something we should be immensely thankful for. Soccer City USA is a great place to be.
2.) Oregon football suffered their worst loss in years two weekends ago to a team they should have beaten until “uncle” was uttered. Instead, Arizona did to Oregon what Oregon usually does to opponents. Despite the whipping, this is still a quality team and one that we should be happy to support and grateful to watch. This program has been built to last. Rebuilding seasons come and go but always be thankful for watching the great teams when they do come around.
The past seven seasons have provided Oregon fans with excellent to fantastic teams in multiple BCS games and one championship game. Considering where Oregon was just a few decades ago, this is an impressive run of success. No longer is the program considered one run by a bunch of quacks, a lame-duck in a conference run by Washington Huskies and USC Trojans. With that in mind, one fan site called last weekend’s loss “the end of an era,” unfounded hyperbole and subtly suggests that this is a team (or at least particular group of athletes) that is no longer worth cheering for. Even if this is the case, the previous seasons are something that we, as Oregon football fans, should be grateful for.
3.) One of the teams that are winning is Oregon’s basketball team. They are being severely underappreciated. They’re a top 15 team in the country and are only going to get better as the players become more familiar with each other. They’re a very entertaining team, having scored over 100 points twice already this season. If you haven’t been watching them, tune in a few times this season because usually if you want to cheer for a West Coast basketball school you’re stuck with UCLA, perhaps Gonzaga, or Arizona if you want to throw in a somewhat western school.
This year we have our Ducks to support. Last season they made a very nice run in the NCAA Tournament to the Sweet Sixteen with an upset of this year’s potential player of the year Marcus Smart and his Oklahoma State team. This season should be even better. Guard Joseph Young has been electrifying this year after transferring from Houston. He is a stellar add for head coach Dana Altman and is a real treat to watch. Even better, Dominic Artis and Ben Carter still aren’t back from their nine game suspensions. Once they are, watch out because this is potentially a top 10 team if the parts mesh. We are fortunate to have such a good program in-state and should be thankful for Altman’s resurrection of the basketball program. Don’t ignore Ducks basketball once football has finished and the bowl season ends—spring practice is still months away. This is a good group to watch.
Two losses, however disheartening, should really make us realize how lucky we are to be Oregon sports fans. The Timbers are firmly rooted deep in the hearts of Oregon fans and dedicated to continued excellence. The other brand of football may be having a rough season by recent standards, but they have brought us much joy during the last decade. A rising Duck basketball program is another area where we are fortunate. To have both football and basketball be significant in their respective sports is relatively rare and should be treasured (just as Duke).
Even if none of these levels of success are continued in the near future, appreciating what we had and have—and what realistically does appear to be in the future—is something we should be thankful for. Besides which, we could always be Washingten (sic) fans.
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