MLS Preview: Portland Timbers

Hooligan Soccer

·13 de febrero de 2025

MLS Preview: Portland Timbers

Club History

This current iteration of the Portland Timbers entered the MLS in 2011, but existed as an USL franchise from 2001 through 2010. After two uneventful seasons, the Timbers exploded behind the foot of Designated Player Diego Valeri, taking the top spot in the West and making it to the postseason semi-finals. They have a boom-and-bust pattern, somewhat fitting given their location to many nearby historic towns that experienced the same cycle. Winners of the 2015 MLS Cup, this remains their only major trophy to date. They also are the Cup runners-up from 2018 and 2021.

Their crest features a stylized woodsman’s axe that makes a “T”, an homage to the rich logging history of their home city. Obviously the green represents the extensive forests of Oregon, and the three chevrons are a nod to the three leagues the club has played in: NASL, USL and MLS.

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The club has one of the most vocal and raucous supporters groups within the MLS, called the Timber Army. In 2019, they challenged the MLS over the league’s decision to ban the symbol of The Iron Front, an anti-fascist group from Germany who resisted the Nazis. They eventually won after a protracted dispute that lasted months.

The Timbers and their associated women’s club Thorns were rocked by an abuse scandal after The Athletic published an in-depth report detailing misconduct allegations against coach Paul Riley (who had led the Thorns from 2014-15). Two Thorns players went on record to support the investigation’s claims. The fallout from this was significant, with attendance dropping and widespread fan outcry. A subsequent report in October 2022 that revealed further transgressions within the organization led to a sponsor backlash, and ultimately the resignation of founder Merritt Paulson from any active role in the club (though he continues to be the owner), as well as the terminations of GM Gavin Wilkinson and president Mike Golub.

Ownership

Peregrine Sports LLC, founded by Merritt Paulson, son of the former Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson, is the controlling interest for the Portland Timbers and the minor-league baseball Portland Beavers. Peregrine also founded the NWSL Portland Thorns but sold that in 2022 in the wake of the Paul Riley scandal.

Significant Players

The club maintains a “Ring of Honor” to commemorate key figures in their history. To date, of the six inductees only one is a former player.

Diego Valeri (Argentina) – Midfielder MLS MVP in 2017. Was the club’s top scorer in four seasons, and is still all-time top goal scorer (100). Spent nine seasons with the club (2013-2021). Inductee into the “Ring of Honor” in 2023.
Darlington Nagbe (United States) – Midfielder The first player drafted by the club. Stayed for seven seasons and recorded 31 goals and 33 assists.
Diego Chará (Colombia) – Midfielder Has been with the club since 2011. Holds the record for appearances (428).
Fanendo Adi (Nigeria) – Forward Spent five seasons with the Timbers (2014-2018) with 60 goals and 14 assists in 144 matches.
Liam Ridgewell (England) – Defender Former team captain. Currently an assistant coach.

Other Facts

Timber Joey. Photo by Ray Terrill – (Source) CC BY-SA 2.0

Since their 2011 debut, the team has had five captains and six head coaches.
Have made the postseason 8 out of their 15 years.
From their inaugural game to the start of COVID, the Timbers sold out every home game for a MLS-record 163 times.
Their main rivals are regional neighbors the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps This dates back to the 1970s when all three cities had NASL franchises. Between them they compete for the Cascadia Cup, which goes to the team with the best record in head-to-head matches within a season. Portland has won the Cup six times.
The original mascot Timber Jim (a lumberjack) retired in 2008 and is a member of the “Ring of Honor”. Jim’s place was taken by Timber Joey in 2011 (pictured above). Joey cuts a round off a large log for every goal that the Timbers score, which is then given to the player. Keepers also get a round for a clean sheet.

2024 Season Recap

12W – 11D – 11L for 47 points. Finished 9th in the Western Conference, 15th overall. They were crushed 5-0 in the Wild Card match by the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Who to Watch 2025

Despite rumors of locker room discontent, the Timbers have had a relatively quiet offseason. We have our eye on these three to make some waves.

Evander (Brazil) – Midfielder As of publication he’s still at the club, but this could change at any moment. His 43 contributions (24 goals and 19 assists) in the past two years lead the club.
Joao Ortiz (Ecuador) – Midfielder Diego Chará has to run out of steam sometime, and this defensive-minded player is his likely successor.
Kevin Kelsy (Venezuela) – Forward This 20-year old from Shakhtar Donetsk is still relatively unknown, having only played 29 games while loaned out to FC Cincinnati last season.