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Timbers Midfielder Sebastian Blanco talks his diet
Sebastián Blanco’s exciting style of play fits right in with the Timbers.
Craig Mitchelldyer/Portland Timbers
mind + body
written by Mackenzie Wilson
WHEREVER THE PORTLAND TIMBERS take the field, a posse of loyal fans known as the Timbers Army follows. The supporters are well-known for their intensity and vocal support from the stands through chants, coordinated singing, and scarf waving. If any player matches their energy and enthusiasm, it is Timbers midfielder Sebastián Blanco. The 31-year-old’s fiery attitude often catches the attention of game announcers and officials.
“It’s something that I’ve always done on the field, but unfortunately it can cause me trouble every now and then because that fiery personality on the field might not be the best example for some young players,” the Argentinian said.
He’s played with the same burst of emotion since he was a little boy learning to dribble in Buenos Aires. Blanco started soccer at 4 years old but jokes that he was born with a soccer ball. In 2017, he was traded to the Timbers from a club in Argentina, and even though it meant uprooting his family—his now wife and infant daughter— he felt confident it was the right move. “We knew it was going to be a beautiful experience for our family,” Blanco said. “We weren’t unsure. … We knew exactly what we wanted to do.”
A natural fit, Blanco slipped into a starring role with the Timbers. In 2018, he was awarded “Player of the Year” by the Timbers Army. “I didn’t expect that. I felt very, very happy because I worked really hard,” he said. “It felt like a reward for the work that I put in every day.” The love flows both ways. Blanco said no matter what part of the country they play in, there are supporters from the Timbers Army waiting to cheer the team on. “They are phenomenal, you know? This is a very healthy relationship that we have between the club, the community and our fans,” he said.
Tradition is important to the Timbers and their fans, even when it doesn’t make sense to other people. Blanco said people in Argentina still don’t quite get the Timbers’ postgoal tradition of taking a roaring chainsaw to a log, then parading the piece of wood through the stands. “For us players, it’s a moment where you feel very proud and you feel that you’re following tradition,” Blanco said. “You feel really close to the people because you identify with the culture of the city.” The pieces of log go to the player who scores the goal. Some slabs are given to charitable causes, but Blanco said he’s held onto the ones that represent important goals in his career.
Despite being in his early 30s, Blanco can’t avoid wondering how long he’s got left on the field. He does his best to stay positive and prepare his body for the future. “There is a lot of longevity in soccer nowadays. So you know, I try to work hard and be the best I can, so I can continue to perform and play at my best level,” he said.
Sebastián Blanco
Professional Soccer Player
Age: 31
Born: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Residence: Portland
NUTRITION
HEALTHY LIVING
“For me to live a healthy life means to be healthy not only physically but also emotionally and mentally. You can only accomplish that by eating healthy and following certain patterns with your nutrition and performance.”
EVENTS Timbers Home Games
• June 1: Los Angeles FC
• June 22: Houston Dynamo
• June 30: FC Dallas
Blanco said no matter what part of the country they play in, there are supporters from the Timbers Army waiting to cheer the team on. “They are phenomenal, you know? This is a very healthy relationship that we have between the club, the community and our fans.”
