For a second consecutive season, the Portland Timbers qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs. 

For many, a positive season for the Timbers would’ve been making the playoffs again & progressing further than they had done in 2024 (were eliminated in the 2024 wild card versus Vancouver as the 9th seed). Thankfully, Portland exceeded expectations, was a wild card team again (this time as the 8th seed), reigned victorious in the wildcard round over Real Salt Lake, but unfortunately fell in the first round after their best of 3 series with San Diego went the distance. 

Taking a glance at the overall season, Portland (though better in the conference standings) were better last year. 

The team scored 24 less goals in comparison to 2024 & allowed 8 less goals than in 2024. Overall, the squad standings wise was better, was worse offensively, & better defensively.

With their roster decisions published, Portland will have some roster flexibility. In the offseason guide:

The Positives

Portland spread the goalscoring wealth this season. Three different players (Antony, Kevin Kelsy, & Felipe Mora) all scored 7 goals this season. A total of 15 different goalscorers allotted for the squads 41 goals (36% chance of a different goal scorer for each goal). On top of scoring, four different players (Antony, David Da Costa, Santiago Moreno, & Juan Mosquera) tallied 5+ assists this season. 

It was very positive to see David Da Costa (who arrived from RC Lens in February) tally 12 goal contributions for Portland at the center attacking midfield spot. With Da Costa leading the midfield, he was able to contribute massively to Antony, a U22 initiative signing for the club, that led the squad with 17 goal contributions this season (7 goals & 10 assists).

Another massive positive was the fact that Kevin Kelsy (who arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk in January) tallied 9 goal contributions (7 goals & 2 assists). One thing that Portland had that many teams in MLS did not this season was a backup striker (Felipe Mora – who had 7 goals & 3 assists) that could enter the match and be a difference maker. 

The biggest positive for Portland this season was their defensive structure as they improved massively in their overall defending in comparison to last year. With 8 less goals allowed, Portland had the T-6th best defense in the Western Conference this season.

The Negatives

Designated Player Jonathan Rodríguez missed the majority of the 2025 season after undergoing a successful cartilage restoration surgery on his right knee in early July. The winger had 1 goal & 1 assist in just 6 substitute appearances for Portland. 

The DP forward that had 23 goal contributions in 2024 for Portland was the missing piece for their offense. Looking at the comparisons to 2024, the squad scored 24 less goals than last year, which ideally matches Rodríguez output that went missing this season.

Losing out in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs, though it was an improvement from last season, nevertheless, going out in the first round is disappointing. The squad battled to the end in their best-of-three series with San Diego, but were ultimately dominated. 

Portland will have to improve their offensive output & rise to the occasion if they want to become a contender in MLS. 

Roster Flexibility

The Portland Timbers has very little roster flexibility. At the moment, the club has three designated players (David Da Costa, Kristoffer Velde & Jonathan Rodríguez) and three U-22 initiative signings (Antony, David Ayala, & Kevin Kelsy).

This club is currently in the 3DP and 3 U-22s model. Additionally, the club has $0 in GAM (as of Sept. 18, 2025).

The club announced their end-of-season roster update, where they announced most contract option decisions. 

The club is entering the 2026 season with 21 players rostered as of November 14th.

Offseason Priorities

Get healthy. Losing Jonathan Rodríguez did not help this team at all. The club needs to accumulate more goals & need to be a bit more lethal in the final third. An offensive threat for cheap money would be a massive addition to the club.

Additionally, with the club not retaining Rojas, Carballo, or Paredes, it’s imperative that Portland find some more midfield depth in the 2026 offseason. Entering the season with Chará, Costa, & Ayala as their midfield 3, it will be important to acquire more players to fill those roles if they need substitutions or deal with an injury in 2026.

Another role that the club should look to find during this offseason would be another defender for depth purposes.

This team should be in the playoffs, year-in & year-out. Phil Neville will make the correct improvements to this roster so that they can improve upon the 2025 campaign.