Seems to me that Merritt is paying, both personally and professionally, dearly for his Thorns transgressions. I suggest that his total body of work for Portland athletics earns him a chance to demonstrate his redemption through the Timbers. As it has been said, to err is human, to forgive divine.
Mistakes were made, no doubt...but the demands from Timbers fans to give up the club are a total overreach, as we would expect from the typical types of characters who are the loudest voices in this city
John, glad you have covered this, along with an occasional article on the Timbers/MLS. I must say, though, that it's time that a columnist of your stature, located in perhaps the hottest soccer market in the country, began covering the sport with some regularity, especially during a World Cup. You bring a unique perspective to the topics you write about. Unlike some before you (you and I know who they are) who go out of their way to avoid and even belittle soccer, I'm hoping that you can join the many columnists in the United States who cover the sport (not every day, mind you, but hit the big stories). Your readers reside in an area where pro games sell out in one of the best arenas in the country. They are all watching the World Cup. At the very least, they might be curious as to how you see the competition. I hope you'll think about it and decide to give it a go. I believe your readers and subscribers would appreciate it.
Meant to mention before I got into the debate with a few posters here. What a scoop! Say's a lot about your credibility that Merritt gave you the interview. 👍
As a fan of the Timbers and Thorns I may be able to forgive. For those directly harmed it's about forgiveness but also about trust. Can his betrayal of trust be restored in those he harmed? That's more than forgiveness and not something that can come primarily from any of us who were not harmed.
I believe the woke world has gone to far. Some think punishment means sell everything. I would suggest that people should be able to forgive and move on. If we cannot forgive and remember not than it seems right not to expect God to forgive us. There are no perfect people so it would heal the pain of many by realizing this.
If admitting his failure, apologizing, donating $1,000,000 to "player safety", investing $120,000,000 private money into a publicly owned facility, resigning as CEO of the Timbers then selling the Thorns is not enough to atone for his sins, what is enough? You clearly laid out the problem John. Is his solution insufficient and if so, what do you think he needs to do now?
Sorry John, but really no one cares. I definitely don't. No one shows up for the Thorn's matches, No one likes their politics except the fringe elements. IMO womens soccer in Portland is like the WNBA...definitely on it's last legs and is on life support. What is funny is how Thorn's players and fans are DEMANDING Paulson sell BOTH franchises...why should he sell the Timbers? He used his own money to rejuvenate the franchise and stadium and turn them into viable entities again...If anything he should just shut the Thorns franchise down...forever...what would those self indulged "squeaky wheel" players think then since they'd be out of jobs?
Merritt can redeem himself by bringing PSU football back to the stadium and persuading the Portland City Council to green-light an AAA ballpark at Terminal 4 on the Willamette River. MLB has left the station.
Seems to me that Merritt is paying, both personally and professionally, dearly for his Thorns transgressions. I suggest that his total body of work for Portland athletics earns him a chance to demonstrate his redemption through the Timbers. As it has been said, to err is human, to forgive divine.
I realize some “mistakes” are bigger than others but the bigger you are the bigger the mistakes seem. Hopefully forgiveness is in the works.
Tough stuff all around. Egregious mistakes were made. But "onward" is a good word here.
Mistakes were made, no doubt...but the demands from Timbers fans to give up the club are a total overreach, as we would expect from the typical types of characters who are the loudest voices in this city
John, glad you have covered this, along with an occasional article on the Timbers/MLS. I must say, though, that it's time that a columnist of your stature, located in perhaps the hottest soccer market in the country, began covering the sport with some regularity, especially during a World Cup. You bring a unique perspective to the topics you write about. Unlike some before you (you and I know who they are) who go out of their way to avoid and even belittle soccer, I'm hoping that you can join the many columnists in the United States who cover the sport (not every day, mind you, but hit the big stories). Your readers reside in an area where pro games sell out in one of the best arenas in the country. They are all watching the World Cup. At the very least, they might be curious as to how you see the competition. I hope you'll think about it and decide to give it a go. I believe your readers and subscribers would appreciate it.
Meant to mention before I got into the debate with a few posters here. What a scoop! Say's a lot about your credibility that Merritt gave you the interview. 👍
As a fan of the Timbers and Thorns I may be able to forgive. For those directly harmed it's about forgiveness but also about trust. Can his betrayal of trust be restored in those he harmed? That's more than forgiveness and not something that can come primarily from any of us who were not harmed.
I believe the woke world has gone to far. Some think punishment means sell everything. I would suggest that people should be able to forgive and move on. If we cannot forgive and remember not than it seems right not to expect God to forgive us. There are no perfect people so it would heal the pain of many by realizing this.
If admitting his failure, apologizing, donating $1,000,000 to "player safety", investing $120,000,000 private money into a publicly owned facility, resigning as CEO of the Timbers then selling the Thorns is not enough to atone for his sins, what is enough? You clearly laid out the problem John. Is his solution insufficient and if so, what do you think he needs to do now?
I will not throw the first stone - and it is not in my DNA to reject the apology of someone who has erred.
Sorry John, but really no one cares. I definitely don't. No one shows up for the Thorn's matches, No one likes their politics except the fringe elements. IMO womens soccer in Portland is like the WNBA...definitely on it's last legs and is on life support. What is funny is how Thorn's players and fans are DEMANDING Paulson sell BOTH franchises...why should he sell the Timbers? He used his own money to rejuvenate the franchise and stadium and turn them into viable entities again...If anything he should just shut the Thorns franchise down...forever...what would those self indulged "squeaky wheel" players think then since they'd be out of jobs?
I have nothing nice, interesting or constructive to say on this subject.
So, how about those PKI crowds?
Merritt can redeem himself by bringing PSU football back to the stadium and persuading the Portland City Council to green-light an AAA ballpark at Terminal 4 on the Willamette River. MLB has left the station.
You seem to have your hands on the right pulae
Maybe I missed your picks for the games this weekend, Wondering if you picked Utah to upset USC
I'm hoping for 2 teams in the new years 6 , with Washington, Rosy
Also... nothing yet on whether or not a new contract is being worked on... hmmmmm
If you posted this elsewhere, I'm sorry I missed it
Do you have a comment policy John? Or is it just "I delete comments I don't like?"