Known for The Beard and The Block, Borchers appeared in 52 games across two seasons with the Timbers and helped lead the club to the 2015 MLS Cup win
Editor's Note: In honor of the Portland Timbers' 50th anniversary, the club is recognizing an All-Time XI collection of the best players from across all eras of the team's history as voted on by you, the fans. The XI is comprised of one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards – a 3-4-3 formation.
Each day between now and the team's 50th anniversary celebration on July 19 – when the Timbers host Minnesota United FC (7:30pm PT, TICKETS, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) – the club will unveil one player from the All-Time XI followed by a special recognition of the group on the evening of July 19th.
The Beard and The Block.
Already an accomplished MLS defender with over 288 combined regular-season appearances with the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake plus a 2009 MLS Cup win and a 2010 MLS Best XI selection to his name before even arriving in Oregon, defender Nat Borchers landed with the Portland Timbers in 2015 with a scintillating resume.
But he was also known for a lustrous and long beard which, in a beardy, hipster-friendly town like Portland, made him fit right in.
Immediately placed into the starting lineup alongside centerback partner Liam Ridgewell, Borchers made 31 appearances in 2015 (all starts) and played a full 90 minutes in each and every one of those matches, helping the Timbers to a league-best 13 clean sheets and a tie for second in fewest goals allowed (39). A popular player, the team created a "photo bomb" activation with a Borchers mask giveaway for a match on April 4 against FC Dallas. Borchers, coincidentally, scored the matchwinner – his first with his new club – and then celebrated by photo bombing himself with his own mask.
In the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, he played the full 90 in all six postseason matches – scoring one goal while also famously NOT trimming The Beard – and helped lock down the backline in the Timbers' memorable run to an MLS Cup victory and first club championship. Borchers and the Portland defense allowed Columbus only a single shot on goal in the final.
However, before getting to that trophy-winning night there was The Block. On the road in the second leg of the 2015 Western Conference Finals, FC Dallas had recently pulled a goal back in the aggregate goal competition and was pushing for an equalizer. With the home side driving forward deep into second half stoppage time, Borchers put his body on the line to deny and block away a shot from Dallas’ Blas Pérez that would have been a series-tying tally.
In a sport that celebrates goals, this single, selfless defensive play helped cement Borchers’ legacy with the club.
In two seasons in the Rose City (2015-16), Borchers appeared in 52 games (52 starts), scoring four goals and contributing one assist. The definition of “stalwart,” Borchers is one of a handful of MLS field players to have played at least 30,000 minutes in his career.
Upon retiring from playing, Borchers joined the club’s broadcast team as a soccer analyst, winning two Northwest Regional Emmys (2019, 2021).
From the Archives
Join us for the presentation of the Timbers All-Time XI on July 19 when the Timbers host Minnesota United!
Celebrating 50 years of the Timbers
Celebrating 50 years as a club, the Timbers honor the fan-vote, All-Time XI, Ring of Honor members and alumni from all eras. The match features a crossbody bag giveaway.
All-Time XI Eligibility:
The Timbers All-Time XI is comprised of one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards – a 3-4-3 formation.
To be considered, fans voted on the 50 eligible players who met established criteria based upon career achievements as a Timbers player and were selected by a panel. Players had to meet one of the following criteria:
- Play a minimum of 100 league games for the club for field players; 50 league games for goalkeepers.
- Inducted into the Timbers Ring of Honor.
- Rank in the Top 5 (by era) in a career statistical category (games played, goals, assists, wins, shutouts, etc.) for the club.
- Be a key contributor in winning a championship or trophy.
- Receive league honors (All-League, Best XI, MVP, All-Star, Golden Boot, Rookie of the Year, etc.) as a member of the club.
