Membership Historical past
This present iteration of the Portland Timbers entered the MLS in 2011, however existed as an USL franchise from 2001 by 2010. After two uneventful seasons, the Timbers exploded behind the foot of Designated Participant Diego Valeri, taking the highest spot within the West and making it to the postseason semi-finals. They’ve a boom-and-bust sample, considerably becoming given their location to many close by historic cities that skilled the identical cycle. Winners of the 2015 MLS Cup, this stays their solely main trophy to this point. Additionally they are the Cup runners-up from 2018 and 2021.
Their crest incorporates a stylized woodsman’s axe that makes a “T”, an homage to the wealthy logging historical past of their house metropolis. Clearly the inexperienced represents the intensive forests of Oregon, and the three chevrons are a nod to the three leagues the membership has performed in: NASL, USL and MLS.
The membership has probably the most vocal and raucous supporters teams inside the MLS, known as the Timber Military. In 2019, they challenged the MLS over the league’s determination to ban the image of The Iron Entrance, an anti-fascist group from Germany who resisted the Nazis. They finally received after a protracted dispute that lasted months.
The Timbers and their related ladies’s membership Thorns had been rocked by an abuse scandal after The Athletic revealed an in-depth report detailing misconduct allegations towards coach Paul Riley (who had led the Thorns from 2014-15). Two Thorns gamers went on file to help the investigation’s claims. The fallout from this was important, with attendance dropping and widespread fan outcry. A subsequent report in October 2022 that exposed additional transgressions inside the group led to a sponsor backlash, and in the end the resignation of founder Merritt Paulson from any lively position within the membership (although he continues to be the proprietor), in addition to the terminations of GM Gavin Wilkinson and president Mike Golub.
Possession
Peregrine Sports activities LLC, based by Merritt Paulson, son of the previous Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson, is the controlling curiosity for the Portland Timbers and the minor-league baseball Portland Beavers. Peregrine additionally based the NWSL Portland Thorns however offered that in 2022 within the wake of the Paul Riley scandal.
Vital Gamers
The membership maintains a “Ring of Honor” to commemorate key figures of their historical past. Thus far, of the six inductees just one is a former participant.
Diego Valeri (Argentina) – Midfielder
MLS MVP in 2017.
Was the membership’s high scorer in 4 seasons, and remains to be all-time high aim scorer (100).
Spent 9 seasons with the membership (2013-2021).
Inductee into the “Ring of Honor” in 2023.
Darlington Nagbe (United States) – Midfielder
Diego Chará (Colombia) – Midfielder
Fanendo Adi (Nigeria) – Ahead
Liam Ridgewell (England) – Defender
Different Details
Since their 2011 debut, the group has had 5 captains and 6 head coaches.
Have made the postseason 8 out of their 15 years.
From their inaugural recreation to the beginning of COVID, the Timbers offered out each house recreation for a MLS-record 163 occasions.
Their foremost rivals are regional neighbors the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps
This dates again to the Nineteen Seventies when all three cities had NASL franchises.
Between them they compete for the Cascadia Cup, which fits to the group with the most effective file in head-to-head matches inside a season.
The unique mascot Timber Jim (a lumberjack) retired in 2008 and is a member of the “Ring of Honor”.
2024 Season RecapWho to Watch 2025
Regardless of rumors of locker room discontent, the Timbers have had a comparatively quiet offseason. We have now our eye on these three to make some waves.
Evander (Brazil) – Midfielder
As of publication he’s nonetheless on the membership, however this might change at any second.
His 43 contributions (24 targets and 19 assists) up to now two years lead the membership.
Joao Ortiz (Ecuador) – Midfielder
Kevin Kelsy (Venezuela) – Ahead
First Match
They host the rival Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday, February twenty third.
Different MLS Previews