A Timber's Diary

Introduction

Jake Sagare, a native of Yakima Washington, joined the Timbers in 2002 after being selected in the A-League college draft, arriving with fellow University of Washington teammates Ben Somoza and Bryn Ritchie.

He immediately proved himself a fan favorite giving the Timbers a quick, exciting wide player who runs tirelessly and can cross with precision.

After the 2002 season, Jake joined Grimsby Town and later returned to re-join the Timbers after about 8 games of the 2003 A-League season giving the team a much needed push after a poor start. He ended the year scoring 4 goals in 20 games.

After the 2003 season Jake again travelled to England this time to join former Timber Sean McAuley and Halifax Town, helped by the Halifax Town Supporters’ Trust.

After holding their breath all winter Timbers fans were glad to hear that Jake would be returning to Portland in time for the start of the coming 2004 A-League season to add his skill and growing experience to the team

5/26/2004 - 4 out of 4!

It's nice to finally wipe away those ghosts from the past and come out with a flying start, it's something that I've never experienced as a professional and as a Portland Timber. I have to admit when you win each game it makes everything a lot better. The confidence is running high and the moods are great, except of course when Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick lose in the early rounds of the French Open.

We know that it's early on in the season and there is a lot more to accomplish, but we are all looking forward to the upcoming games, beginning with Milwaukee this weekend. The team is also anticipating the fact that we have qualified for the US Open Cup for the first time in club history. It will be a great chance for our team to get some exposure against MLS clubs.

I've been really impressed with this year's squad, and the fact that Scott Benedetti isn't using a cane while he plays. I have to admit that a lot of players have made a good start to the season. All the forwards have shown that they have the ability to score goals with Alan Gordon getting two this last weekend against Vancouver. Hugo has been very effective on the right wing and the newcomer Alex Bengard has gelled nicely. Although our defense won't win any races they are very solid in the back too. Josh Saunders contribution to the team so far this year, goes without saying. I think that he had around 232 saves against Seattle two weeks ago.

If things stay as they are, hopefully our win column will be as long as Aaron Heinzen's hair by the end of the season.

Jake.

4/27/2004 - Pre-Season

I have to say that I'm very excited to be back this year, as I am every year that I play. Portland has been good for my career and I have to say that I really enjoy the city especially when we have summers like we did last year.

I have basically been playing for two years straight with not many big breaks. There are times when I feel I'm getting a bit burnt out with soccer, but that usually only lasts a week or so than I'm already missing it. Portland was good about allowing me to spend a bit of free time between my transition from England so now I'm ready to start up again and help to get us a win against Seattle next weekend. One of the things we have lacked in previous years is a fast start to the season, and I feel like this year it will be different.

I feel that this year we have gotten a lot of the key players back from last year. We nearly have the entire defense apart from Nick Downing, but it looks like David Henning or Sean Saunders may be able to fill his place. The area that I feel that we have improved most from last year is our forward line. It's obvious that Byron will produce well for us and continue to terrorize teams like he did last season, but the addition of Alan Gordon should really give us that big presence up top. Dan, who is just coming off an indoor season has shown that he may be a potential starter also.

Jake