FROM THE BLACK COUNTRY TO THE WHITE HOUSE
After leading Portland to MLS glory, ex-Blues & Baggies defender Ridgewell has earned an audience with Obama
LIAM RIDGEWELL is preparing to visit the White House after captaining Portland Timbers to a historic MLS title.
The experienced defender swapped the Black Country for the west coast of America after signing up with the Timbers in June 2014.
His shrewd move has turned into the American dream for Ridgewell, 32, who captained Timbers to a shock league success last season in the play-offs.
Now he has been measured up for a suit for the club’s presidential reception at the White House next month.
Ridgewell is no stranger to silverware after winning the League Cup against the odds when Birmingham stunned Arsenal at Wembley in 2011.
But this time he is getting suited and booted for free to meet Barack Obama after claiming Carson Yeung’s cashstrapped regime at Birmingham were too tight to buy them cup final outfits.
The ex-Aston Villa, Brum and West Brom defender said: “Going to the White House to meet Obama will be fantastic, we just got our suits made up.
“It will be a little different to the Blues one. We got given our suits this time – we didn’t have to pay for them.
“It is not something you expect – ever meeting the President of the United States. I don’t think there has ever been a Ridgewell in the White House before so something has gone wrong!
“The League Cup was massive because it was against Arsenal but being captain and winning the MLS Cup against all the odds, creating history for the club, is probably topping it.”
Ridgewell finished up playing left-back in England but has returned to his preferred position in central defence in America. It has been very difficult leaving his children Luca and Eva behind. But his house on the lake in Portland helps ensure his kids love coming to visit in the school holidays for seven weeks a year.
It is an enviable lifestyle a world away from Birmingham and popular Ridgewell has even had a local craft beer named after him in Portland. He is set to extend his stay for another two years beyond this season, with Portland tabling him a new contract extension.
“It was a surprise I came here at 29 but I can’t say enough about the place,” he added. “Portland and the MLS has been great. Last season was my first full season and we won it.
“The perks of winning the league were massive – they launched ‘Ridgy’s Royall Boat Beer’ a few weeks ago and my family were here. It was a good night.
“It is a bit different from Birmingham. You don’t get to paddleboard too many places around there. Maybe on the canal!
“My kids love it when they come. They enjoy going for lunch, paddleboarding and jumping in the lake. But it is always tough for everyone when they go back.”
After Portland’s success in the playoffs last season, the franchise – who only entered the MLS in 2011 – are having a tougher season this term.
Without a win on the road, they are yet to secure their play-off spot as they are sixth in the Western Conference.
But they beat local rivals Seattle on Sunday after being bolstered by the arrival of fellow Brit Steven Taylor, who was out of contract at Newcastle.
Ridgewell added: “I’d recommend it. I came at 29, Tayls is 30. A lot of people have seen it as a bit of a retirement home but it has certainly stepped up a gear.”