Timbers kick off 50th anniversary celebrations with the return of star player

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Over the week, the Portland Timbers are celebrating some of their most memorable moments and honoring a number of their iconic athletes during the 50th anniversary season.

On Wednesday night, Portland brought back the 2015 Championship team members at halftime to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the clubs one and only MLS Cup title. Ten players from the team were honored on the field with the trophy in hand (Diego Chara is still active and Liam Ridgewell is an assistant coach for the club).

The most famous of the returning players Diego Valeri was a part of three Western Conference Championships (2015, 2018, 2021) and the MLS Cup victory in 2015. He received the 2017 MLS Best XI selection, the 2017 Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award, and was a four-time MLS All-Star.

Valeri remains as the only player in league history to win Newcomer of the Year, regular season MVP and MLS Cup MVP. The 2015 Cup victory was defined by Valeri scoring the fastest goal in MLS Cup history just 27 seconds into the match.

The Timbers will next host Minnesota United FC for their 50-Year Celebration Night on Saturday, July 19. They will be giving away prizes to fans and bringing out famous players chosen by the fan vote throughout the night.

Diego Chara is two starts away from 400 all-time in MLS regular season play which will make him the fifth player in MLS history to reach that number. Chara will also become the first athlete to do so with one team.

On Wednesday night, Portland brought back the 2015 Championship team members at halftime to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the club’s one and only MLS Cup title. Ten players from the team were honored on the field with the trophy in hand (Diego Chara is still active and Liam Ridgewell is an assistant coach for the club).

The most famous of the returning players, Diego Valeri, was a part of three Western Conference Championships (2015, 2018, 2021) and the MLS Cup victory in 2015. He received the 2017 MLS Best XI selection, the 2017 Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award, and was a four-time MLS All-Star.

Valeri remains the only player in league history to win Newcomer of the Year, regular season MVP and MLS Cup MVP. The 2015 Cup victory was defined by Valeri scoring the fastest goal in MLS Cup history just 27 seconds into the match.

The Timbers will next host Minnesota United FC for their 50-Year Celebration Night on Saturday, July 19. They will be giving away prizes to fans and bringing out famous players chosen by the fan vote throughout the night.

Chara is two starts away from 400 all-time in MLS regular season play, which will make him the fifth player in MLS history to reach that number. Chara will also become the first athlete to do so with one team.