Now though the history of the rivalry the Cascadia Cup is old, the official trophy is young. The stretch from 2004-2008 is also pure. All three clubs in the same league, with the same opportunities. No team was brand new to the league, it was home and away in equal amounts and the gnashing of teeth over away support was meaningless because no team came close to selling out the facility it used.

We may not like to hear it on this side of the US/Canadian border but neither the Seattle Sounders, nor the Portland Timbers have the overall title in those years. Sure, Seattle won more games, but it also had more losses and an odd perfectly even goal differential.

While this week is about Portland, let us not forget that the Vancouver Whitecaps have won when it matters most. While Portland owned the turnstiles and the volume in that era, and the Sounders do now, I don't follow a team because of its fans. I follow teams for their identity, their connection to the community and their ability to perform well.