There’s another soccer tradition in Portland that brings us together, one nearly as old as the Timbers. “The exact beginning of the Bevy Cup is a little sketchy,” the Cup’s website reads, “but we believe it was started by Jack Morton as the Nation’s Cup in 1980.” Originally including teams with ties to and representing Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, and the U.S., the initial version of the Cup lasted until 1986.

Then time passed.

In 1992, it returned, this time named The Bevy Cup. In its tenure, the annual event has brought together a collection of different European expats, around the game and each other, stretching generations but representing what is, ultimately, one soccer community.

Many former Timbers (and their sons) have played in the Cup over the years: Jimmy Conway, John Bain, Mick Hoban, Bernie Fagan, Tony Betts, Andrew Gregor, and Scot Thompson. That’s not an exhaustive roster.

The Bevy Cup even has a Hall of Fame, with names like Timbers Conway and Bain, and referee Eric Beck. Those familiar with the Green Is the Color podcast likely know it’s Eric who wrote and sings the song that opens and closes each episode.

And, those familiar with soccer in this area over the past four decades also know Eric as a referee and referee coordinator, from youth and local indoors to college and professional levels. Eric is in the Region IV Adult Soccer Hall of Fame, where the Region’s Referee Lifetime Achievement Award has just this year been renamed in his honor.