MLS is back, and the Portland Timbers have some revenge to dish out.
Sixteen weekend matches kick off the first matchday of the 2025 regular season. Still, few are nearly as highly anticipated as the showdown between the Green and Gold and Vancouver Whitecaps at Providence Park. For Portland, this matchup carries extra weight—the last time these two teams met, the Timbers suffered a humiliating 5-0 loss in the MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card game, ending their 2024 campaign in brutal fashion. Those kinds of defeats linger long, and now, with a fresh season ahead, the Timbers have a golden opportunity to settle the score while starting on the right foot in league play and gaining an early edge in the Cascadia Cup hunt.
However, they will be extremely shorthanded, with Santiago Moreno, Jonathan Rodriguez, David Da Costa, and Juan David Mosquera likely sitting this one out due to injury. Head Coach Phil Neville will need to get a little creative with his squad selection, and here’s how he may fill the gaps.
The biggest question mark here is the inclusion of Zac McGraw, who Neville said at this week’s fan forum has a “very good” chance at starting on Sunday, despite Miguel Araujo and Phil Surman being thought of to be higher up the depth chart. A three-at-the-back formation looks to be necessary due to the injuries, while strong preseason performances from newcomers Jimer Fory, Kevin Kelsy, and Ortiz push them into the eleven. Diego Chara once again wears the armband.
As for Vancouver, they have some uncertainty to navigate at the moment. They’re still a club built around that tandem of Ryan Gauld and Brian White, but their identity has taken a hit with midfielder Stuart Armstrong and head coach Vanni Sartini out the door. To add to that, a potential sale and even relocation looms in the Canadian air right now.
The new man in charge, Jesper Sørensen, has a reputation for possession-based play from his time coaching in Denmark. If Vancouver goes with a similar approach this weekend, Portland will need to be efficient with their chances and quick in transition. Antony, Mora, and Kelsy’s finishing will be the X-factor, as their ability to take advantage of Vancouver’s defensive vulnerabilities could decide the game.
Looking down the bench, Ariel Lassiter might have a really significant impact this weekend. His pace and ability to stretch the defense could provide a much-needed spark in the second half, especially if the Timbers are looking to exploit any gaps left by Vancouver’s defensive setup. Expect him to be the first sub coming on the field.
As for Portland’s defense, they still need to figure out who their starting center-backs are going to be for the year, with five guys in consideration for two or three roles. The competition for spots could give them extra motivation to keep White and Gauld off the scoresheet, and a huge chip on everyone’s shoulder to prove their worth would definitely not hurt their chances of doing so.
Even with the injuries, this is a very winnable game for the Timbers, and it will come down to finding offensive efficiency and being quick in transition against this new Whitecaps system. To catch all the action on Sunday, ensure you’ve renewed that MLS Season Pass subscription that you haven’t touched in four months and set your reminder for the 1:00 PM kickoff. Cheers to year 50!
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