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Portland, Ore. • Real Salt Lake is well above being intimidated by hostile environments.

Saprissa? Been there. Monterrey? Done that.

Portland?

Entering Saturday's game, the expansion Portland Timbers may have been something of a mystery, but the raucousness of Jeld-Wen Field, a renovated former baseball stadium in the heart of the city's downtown, wasn't.

"From what we've seen on TV and what some people have told us, the stands are going to be full," Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers said before the game.

Borchers said the team expected a "European atmosphere."

RSL got it in their 1-0 loss.

"The atmosphere is incredible, and I give credit to the fans," defender Chris Wingert said. "What a great spot in a great city. But that wasn't our problem today. We've dealt with some hostile crowds lately."

More than an hour before the teams kicked off under a rare clear sky, the vaunted Timbers Army was chanting their support for the 2-3-1 Timbers, who entering the game had not lost in two home games this season. They cheered on a large man in suspenders, a hard hat and a scruffy red beard.

An Oregon native from a coastal logging town, 31-year-old Joey Webber is better known as Timber Joey, a chainsaw slinger who spends each match waiting to dig the teeth of the saw into the trunk of a Douglas fir. Each time he does, it means Portland has scored a goal, and after Webber gets done hoisting the slab around the perimeter of the field, he presents it to the player who scored.

It's a unique tradition, but fitting in this place, where fans have spent decades honing their practices, waiting for their team to reach this level of professional soccer.

"I saw their game against Chicago, and it was pretty neat seeing the whole stadium singing the national anthem," forward Arturo Alvarez said. "They really get behind their team."

For RSL head coach Jason Kreis, the impact of Portland fans was similar to the luxury he said his team enjoys at home.

"The players should be thrilled that they get to play in this environment every week," he said, "because I think it's influential, just as we see in Salt Lake.

boram@sltrib.comTwitter: @oramb