What’s the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:
1
The Portland Timbers have been making their share of noise so far in this Major League Soccer season.
On Thursday, the league fined Timbers coach Caleb Porter an undisclosed amount for making too much noise about referee Juan Guzman’s penalty kick call that allowed FC Dallas to tie Wednesday’s match 1-1.
Among Porter’s comments: “It’s a real travesty the way that game played out. It’s hard to win a game when you’re playing against 12 men. For me, that’s just unfair, completely unfair.”
It is easy to understand why Porter was upset. The foul was off the ball and Portland’s Andrew Jean-Baptiste and Dallas forward Blaz Perez were grabbing each other and both fell to the turf. We’re willing to bet a visiting team would not get that call.
At the same time, Baptiste should understand the risk of grabbing an opposing player inside the penalty area. So maybe the foul result can be a learning experience for the defender — and his coach.
2
We don’t want to jinx anything, but it is possible that — for the first time since the Rose Garden opened in 1995 — a team that calls the building home can clinch a championship in front of the home fans.
If the Portland Winterhawks beat Edmonton tonight, they clinch the Western Hockey League championship. It would be the third such title for the junior hockey franchise — and the first since 1998 when the Winterhawks clinched the title on the road by sweeping Brandon.
Other teams that have called the Rose Garden home have not had such an opportunity. Not the Forest Dragons. Not the LumberJax. Not the Power or Fire. Not even the Trail Blazers, who in 1992 still called Memorial Coliseum home when they last reached the NBA Finals.
As for Talking Points jinxing the Hawks, we aren’t worried. If it doesn’t happen tonight, there’s always a chance the series gets to Game 7, which would mean another shot at making Rose Garden history.
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