Liam Ridgewell was sort of unceremoniously jettisoned from the Timbers coaching staff on August 11th. He’s got a slightly complicated legacy as a Timber. Loved for coming to the team in 2014 and helping shore up our back line to ultimately bring us an MLS Cup. On the other hand, prone to an almost predictable injury during the summers on a schedule that many fans joked about as the beginning of boating season. He did like his boat… After retiring at the end of 2018, he joined the Timbers broadcast team in 2021 which was sometimes hilarious because his accent was at times undecipherable. Turned out that was just a prelim to getting hired as a defensive coach in 2022. Unfortunately, this somehow eventually coincided with a period of terrible Timbers defense. He survived Gio Savarese’s sacking and continued under Phil Neville, and at some point became a set piece coach. He was let go under Cifuentes. After the official introduction, Paulson mentioned he (MP) had been loyal to a fault to some people, and you have to wonder if Liam was one of those people. There’s two key moments that I remember him by. One, an uncharacteristic goal, and another, his MLS Cup fan celebration moment.
From what I recall of this 2014 game, the Timbers offense was flailing about ineffectually, and suddenly our star center back decided he’d had enough and would show them how it was done. Truly a great moment. After the goal he does his goofy but beloved “Ridgy Roll” goal celebration. This was his first MLS goal.
Here’s Ridgewell’s “mic-drop moment” at the 2015 MLS Cup celebration held in the stadium in the week after the win. It was free entry event. They put up a stage in front of the North End, and it was a joyous occasion.
Lest we forget, his famous squirrels comment.
“I wanted to be part of something and there could be 22 squirrels running around at our stadium and the fans would still support them; they sing and cheer no matter what. What I couldn’t do was pass this up, be at home and then think, ‘I wish I’d gone there. I wish I’d just tried.’
– Liam Ridgewell
So long Liam.
