Liam Ridgewell for MailOnline | Daily Mail Online

Liam Ridgewell for MailOnline's recent articles

Being crowned champions with Portland Timbers is the best feeling of my career... it's better than winning the League Cup

07/12/15 21:07

LIAM RIDGEWELL: To call myself a champion of the United States feels incredible. I suppose it is my version of the American Dream. We travelled across this vast country into the home of our rivals – Columbus Crew, the Eastern Conference winners – and came out victorious in Major League Soccer’s biggest game. Personally, this was the best feeling of my career. It topped beating Arsenal in the League Cup because here I was captain. That win with Birmingham was fantastic, and unexpected. But to lift this trophy with the armband was extra special; so pleasurable. We wanted to press Columbus early, but I didn’t know we would press them that much! Diego Valeri put their goalkeeper Steve Clark under pressure and scored after just 27 seconds. Rodney Wallace headed in not long after. Getting those goals were the perfect start. ...read

Portland beating Columbus in the MLS cup final would make this my favourite season, it's like winning the Premier League title

04/12/15 20:46

LIAM RIDGEWELL: This is my 14th season as a professional and would become my favourite if Portland Timbers can win the MLS Cup on Sunday. It is a huge thing, like lifting the Premier League title. The campaign started with 20 teams and along the way we’ve had global names like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa compete. But now it is just us and Columbus Crew. ...read

Portland is buzzing to have the Timbers in the Western Conference final... and we can go on to win the MLS Cup

Nov 8, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted (1) makes a save as Portland Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell (24) looks back for the ball in the first half during the MLS Playoffs at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports - RTS6343

22/11/15 09:16

LIAM RIDGEWELL: I am beginning to realise the magnitude of the MLS play-offs. Portland Timbers failed to reach the post-season in my first campaign Stateside, but this time we are into the Western Conference final and the city is buzzing. Previously I could walk around Portland without too many people coming up, but now I get recognised all the time. At the coffee shop, down the supermarket, locals want pictures and autographs. The media requests are mounting and adverts are cranking up the excitement. I have seen play-offs for American football and basketball on TV and this is the same level. We play FC Dallas at Providence Park on Sunday – our last home game of the season – then travel to Texas for the second leg seven days later. ...read