BEAVERTON, Ore. – From Wednesday’s early moments, when he first was called on to play the ball, the chant within The Independent bar’s downtown Portland location grew, initially cutting through the viewing party chaos with the help of a conscientious few. Eventually, the simplest of supporter chants enveloped the room, taking hold among a crowd that Timbers staff estimated to number between 200 and 250 people.
“Jeff!” “Jeff!” “Jeff!” From an initial reminder to a call that would define the room. Come the final whistle, the chant had won over the room and even came back to life postgame, when cameras caught Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella tending to responsibilities on the club’s social media.