The Portland Timbers unveiled a new uniform to honor one of their greatest and most impactful players in club history. The new uniforms, unveiled Tuesday, are called the “The Clive Kit” in honor of Clive Charles.
The new kit celebrates Charles, a beloved Timbers’ legend who played for the club during the Portland’s NASL era from 1978-81. The Timbers retired his No. 3 jersey in 2003 and his number is the only retired jersey by the Timbers.
Charles was one of the first Black players in the English Premier League when he played for West Ham United. He was an assistant coach with the U.S. Men’s National Team in the 1998 World Cup and he coached the U.S. men’s team at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Charles was instrumental in the development of youth soccer in Portland and made his name as the coach of the University of Portland men’s and women’s teams.