The 2021 Portland Timbers season was the club's 35th season of existence and the 11th season for the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The season covers the period from the end of the Timber's last match in MLS or MLS Playoffs in 2020 (November 22, 2020) to their final match in MLS Cup Plays on December 11, 2021.
| 2021 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| President | Merritt Paulson | ||
| Head coach | Giovanni Savarese | ||
| Stadium | Providence Park Portland, Oregon (Capacity: 25,218) | ||
| Major League Soccer | Conference: 4th Overall: 5th | ||
| MLS Cup Playoffs | Runner-Up | ||
| U.S. Open Cup | Canceled | ||
| Cascadia Cup | 2nd | ||
| CONCACAF Champions League | Quarter-finals | ||
| Biggest win | League/All: POR 5–0 MAR (4/13, CCL) POR 6–1 RSL (9/25, MLS) | ||
| Biggest defeat | League/All: SEA 6–2 POR (8/15) | ||
| |||
| All statistics correct as of May 5, 2021. | |||
Background edit
The 2020 season was heavily altered due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Portland played its first two matches as scheduled, before the season was suspended on March 12, 2020. The season resumed with a bubble tournament near Orlando, Florida, dubbed the MLS is Back Tournament, which began on July 13, 2020, and concluded on August 11, 2020. Portland defeated Orlando City SC in the championship, and earned a berth into the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League for winning the tournament.
The league resumed, with Portland playing their remaining matches behind closed doors. The number of regular season matches from 2020 decreased from 34 to 23 due to the pandemic. Ultimately Portland finished with an 11–6–6 regular season record, and earned a berth into the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs. Portland was defeated by FC Dallas in the opening round. Diego Valeri lead the team in MLS goals with six total, and Jeremy Ebobisse lead Portland in goals across all competitions with eight.
Season review edit
The season was postponed from the normal late February 27–28 starting weekend and instead began on the weekend of April 16–18 due to the pandemic. Ahead of the start of the regular season, Portland began competitive fixtures in the Champions League on April 6, 2021.
Non-competitive edit
Preseason friendlies edit
Win Draw Loss Upcoming fixture
| March 16 | Colorado Rapids | 2–0 | Portland Timbers | Tucson, Arizona |
| 11:00 PST | Report | Stadium: Kino Sports Complex | ||
| Note: Match was 45 minutes long. | ||||
| March 16 | Phoenix Rising | 0–1 | Portland Timbers | Tucson, Arizona |
| 13:00 PST | Report |  25' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Kino Sports Complex | |
| Note: Match was 45 minutes long. | ||||
| March 20 | Phoenix Rising | 1–3 | Portland Timbers | Tucson, Arizona |
| 15:00 PST |
|
Report | Stadium: Kino Sports Complex |
| March 24 | Sporting Kansas City | 3–3 | Portland Timbers | Tucson, Arizona |
| 11:00 PST | Report | Stadium: Kino Sports Complex |
| March 30 | Seattle Sounders FC | 1–1 | Portland Timbers | Tukwila, Washington |
| 13:00 PST |
|
Report | Stadium: Starfire Sports |
| March 30 | Seattle Sounders FC | 0–0 | Portland Timbers | Tukwila, Washington |
| 15:00 PST | Report | Stadium: Starfire Sports | ||
| Note: Match was 75 minutes long. | ||||
Midseason friendlies edit
Competitive edit
Major League Soccer edit
Standings edit
- Western Conference
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado Rapids | 34 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 51 | 35 | +16 | 61 | Qualification for the Playoffs Conference semifinals and CONCACAF Champions League |
| 2 | Seattle Sounders FC | 34 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 53 | 33 | +20 | 60 | Qualification for the Playoffs first round and CONCACAF Champions League |
| 3 | Sporting Kansas City | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 58 | 40 | +18 | 58 | Qualification for the Playoffs first round |
| 4 | Portland Timbers | 34 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 56 | 52 | +4 | 55 | |
| 5 | Minnesota United FC | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 42 | 44 | −2 | 49 | |
| 6 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC[a] | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 45 | 45 | 0 | 49 | |
| 7 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 55 | 54 | +1 | 48 | |
| 8 | LA Galaxy | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 50 | 54 | −4 | 48 | |
| 9 | Los Angeles FC | 34 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 53 | 51 | +2 | 45 | |
| 10 | San Jose Earthquakes | 34 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 46 | 54 | −8 | 41 | |
| 11 | FC Dallas | 34 | 7 | 15 | 12 | 47 | 56 | −9 | 33 | |
| 12 | Austin FC | 34 | 9 | 21 | 4 | 35 | 56 | −21 | 31 | |
| 13 | Houston Dynamo FC | 34 | 6 | 16 | 12 | 36 | 54 | −18 | 30 |
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Notes:
- ^ Canadian clubs cannot qualify for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League through the MLS regular season or playoffs.
- Overall
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Seattle Sounders FC | 34 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 53 | 33 | +20 | 60 | Qualification for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League[a] |
| 4 | Sporting Kansas City | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 58 | 40 | +18 | 58 | |
| 5 | Portland Timbers | 34 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 56 | 52 | +4 | 55 | |
| 6 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 48 | 35 | +13 | 54 | |
| 7 | Nashville SC | 34 | 12 | 4 | 18 | 55 | 33 | +22 | 54 |
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Notes:
Matches edit
| April 18 1 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 1–0 | Portland Timbers | Sandy, Utah |
| 19:00 PST | Veselinović  21'Cavallini 49'Baldisimo 64' |
Report | Župarić 68' |
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Allen Chapman |
| April 24 2 | Portland Timbers | 2–1 | Houston Dynamo FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 19:30 PST | Asprilla 6', 26' Bravo 39'Paredes 73' |
Report | Paredes 28' (o.g.) Valentin 36'Urruti 37' |
Stadium: Providence Park Referee: Ismail Elfath |
| May 1 3 | FC Dallas | 4–1 | Portland Timbers | Frisco, Texas |
| 17:00 PST | Ricaurte 2', 82' Munjoma 12'Obrian 14'Bressan 45+3'Hollingshead 78'Sealy 85' |
Report | Williamson 62' Bodily 69'Valeri 87' |
Stadium: Toyota Stadium Attendance: 8,621 Referee: Alan Kelly |
| May 9 4 | Portland Timbers | 1–2 | Seattle Sounders FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 12:00 PST | Loría 21' Tuiloma 90'+4' |
Report | Tolo 17' Ruidíaz 63' (pen.)Montero 79'Delem 90'+4' |
Stadium: Providence Park Referee: Chris Penso |
| May 15 5 | San Jose Earthquakes | 0–2 | Portland Timbers | San Jose, California |
| 19:00 PST | Wondolowski 45+3' |
Report | Y. Chará 5' Tuiloma 25'Župarić 42'Loría 74' |
Stadium: PayPal Park Referee: Rosendo Mendoza |
| May 22 6 | Portland Timbers | 3–0 | LA Galaxy | Portland, Oregon |
| 12:30 PST | Mora 47' 60' Valeri 69' |
Report | Williams  44' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: unknown Referee: Alan Kelly |
| May 30 7 | Philadelphia Union | 3–0 | Portland Timbers | Chester, Pennsylvania |
| 14:30 PST | Mbaizo 5' Przybyłko 26'Santos 31'Elliott 63' |
Report | Župarić 62' Bravo 72' |
Stadium: Subaru Park Attendance: 6,635 Referee: Robert Sibiga |
| June 19 8 | Portland Timbers | 2–1 | Sporting Kansas City | Portland, Oregon |
| 19:30 PST | Asprilla 36' Župarić 38' Loría 45+1' Zambrano 87' |
Report | Lindsey 28' Fontàs 69' Espinoza 74' Ilie 83' |
Stadium: Providence Park Referee: Alan Kelly |
| June 23 9 | Houston Dynamo FC | 2–2 | Portland Timbers | Houston, Texas |
| 17:30 PST | Picault 15', 59' Pasher 33' |
Report | Bonilla 38' Asprilla 50'Mabiala 72'Blanco 73'Ebobisse 90+1' |
Stadium: BBVA Stadium Attendance: 10,791 Referee: Armando Villarreal |
| June 26 10 | Portland Timbers | 0–1 | Minnesota United FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 19:30 PST | Bravo 15' D. Chará 70' |
Report | Hunou 2' Dotson 74'Reynoso 85' |
Stadium: Providence Park Referee: Rosendo Mendoza |
| July 1 11 | Austin FC | 4–1 | Portland Timbers | Austin, Texas |
| 8:00 PM CT | Gallagher 28' Fagúndez 33'Kolmanič 44'Pochettino 45+1'Ring 77'Jiménez 81' |
Report | Tuiloma 45+5' Ebobisse 45+7'Asprilla 68'Župarić 90+1' |
Stadium: Q2 Stadium Attendance: 20,738 Referee: Ted Unkel |
| July 17 12 | Portland Timbers | 1–0 | FC Dallas | Portland, Oregon |
| 19:30 PST | Bonilla 5' Župarić 52'Ebobisse 84' |
Report | Quignon 57' Pomykal 69' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 23,255 Referee: Joseph Dickerson |
| July 21 13 | Portland Timbers | 2–1 | Los Angeles FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 19:30 PST | Valeri 2' Paredes 86'Mora 90+3' |
Report | Vela 17' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 23,500 Referee: Victor Rivas |
| July 24 14 | Minnesota United FC | 2–1 | Portland Timbers | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| 17:00 PST | Gasper 74' Lod 85', 90+4' |
Report | Mora 10' |
Stadium: Allianz Field Attendance: 19,691 Referee: Marcos De Oliviera |
| July 30 15 | LA Galaxy | 4–1 | Portland Timbers | Carson, California |
| 19:00 PST | Raveloson 27' Vázquez 34' Kljestan 53' (pen.) Grandsir 56' Villafaña 62' |
Report | Ebobisse 29' Van Rankin 74' D. Chará 83' Mabiala 90+6' |
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park Attendance: 15,644 Referee: Robert Sibiga |
| August 4 16 | Portland Timbers | 1–1 | San Jose Earthquakes | Portland, Oregon |
| 19:30 PST | Van Rankin 29' Mora 45+6' Williamson 85' D. Chará 90+2'  90+3' Blanco 90+6' Mabiala 90+9' |
Report | J. López 24' Salinas 90+6' Cardoso 90+8' M. López 90+9' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 22,233 Referee: Allen Chapman |
| August 7 17 | Portland Timbers | 3–2 | Real Salt Lake | Portland, Oregon |
| 19:30 PST | Asprilla 10' (pen.) D. Chará 29' Mora 62' Valeri 89' |
Report | Glad 6' Menéndez 13' Rusnák 40' Luiz 45+1' Herrera 48' Kreilach 80' Chang 87' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 23,577 Referee: Rosendo Mendoza |
| August 15 18 | Portland Timbers | 2–6 | Seattle Sounders FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 17:30 PST | Blanco 32' Fochive 52' Mabiala 54' Zuparic 66' Paredes 76' |
Report | Montero 13', 29' Ruidíaz 55', 72' Paulo 69' Medranda 77' Benezet 90+4' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 25,218 Referee: Jair Marrufo |
| August 18 19 | Sporting Kansas City | 1–1 | Portland Timbers | Kansas City, Kansas |
| 17:30 PST | Sallói 25', 90+1' Pulido 62' |
Report | Mora 17' D. Chará 28' Van Rankin 43' Bonilla 77' Valeri 84' |
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park Attendance: 17,081 Referee: Ismail Elfath |
| August 21 20 | Austin FC | 3–1 | Portland Timbers | Austin, Texas |
| 18:00 PST | Domínguez 11' (pen.) Fagúndez 14' Driussi 29' Pochettino 83' |
Report | Asprilla 55' Župarić 64' |
Stadium: Q2 Stadium Attendance: 20,738 Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. |
| August 29 21 | Seattle Sounders FC | 0–2 | Portland Timbers | Seattle, Washington |
| 19:30 PST | Report | Van Rankin 44' Blanco 58' Valeri 76' Mora 90+5' |
Stadium: Lumen Field Attendance: 45,737 Referee: Alan Kelly |
| September 3 22 | Houston Dynamo FC | 0–2 | Portland Timbers | Houston, Texas |
| 17:00 PST | Parker 50' |
Report | Y. Chará 15' Mora 20' (pen.)Bravo 51'Zambrano 86'Mabiala 90+2' |
Stadium: BBVA Stadium Attendance: 9,872 Referee: Rubiel Vazquez |
| September 10 23 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 0–1 | Portland Timbers | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| 19:00 PST | Bikel 29' Dájome 58' |
Report | Veselinović 66' (o.g.) Mora 90+3' |
Stadium: BC Place Referee: Marcos de Oliveira |
| September 15 24 | Portland Timbers | 2–2 | Colorado Rapids | Portland, Oregon |
| 19:00 PST | Blanco 31', 90+1' Tuiloma 33' 42' Paredes 67' Mora 67' Clark 82' |
Report | Trusty 31' Lewis 64' Kaye 66' Barrios 86' Abubakar 88' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 16,808 Referee: Armando Villarreal |
| September 19 25 | Portland Timbers | 2–1 | Los Angeles FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 15:00 PST | Asprilla 21' Mabiala 24'Blanco 26'Bravo 42'Fochive 68'Valeri 83' |
Report | Arango 27' (pen.) |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 21,311 Referee: Chris Penso |
| September 25 26 | Portland Timbers | 6–1 | Real Salt Lake | Portland, Oregon |
| 19:30 PST | Mora 27' Asprilla 36'Y. Chara 45+4', 48'D. Chara 68'Niezgoda 85'Paredes 88' |
Report | Kreilach 41' Ruíz 51'Glad 73' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 21,579 Referee: Fotis Bazakos |
| September 29 27 | Los Angeles FC | 1–2 | Portland Timbers | Los Angeles, California |
| 19:00 PST | Palacios 29' Musovski 55'Arango 90+9' |
Report | Paredes 25' Y. Chará 45'Asprilla 45+2', 59'Valeri 76' |
Stadium: Banc of California Stadium Attendance: 22,056 Referee: Joseph Dickerson |
| October 3 28 | Portland Timbers | 1–0 | Inter Miami CF | Portland, Oregon |
| 2:30 PM PDT | D. Chara 67' Niezgoda 83' |
Report | Figal 6' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 22,006 Referee: Robert Sibiga |
| October 16 29 | LA Galaxy | 2–1 | Portland Timbers | Carson, California |
| 19:30 PST | Hernández 38', 62' Kljestan 87', 90+2' (pen.) Joveljić 90+5' |
Report | Bonilla 44' D. Chará 65' Blanco 72' |
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park Attendance: 15,322 Referee: Victor Rivas |
| October 20 30 | Portland Timbers | 2–3 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 19:00 PST | Y. Chará 15' Asprilla 42' Paredes 90+2' |
Report | Caicedo 63' White 75', 90+2' Dájome 82' (pen.) |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 16,722 Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. |
| October 23 31 | Colorado Rapids | 2–0 | Portland Timbers | Commerce City, Colorado |
| 18:00 PST | Badji 45+2' Rubio 63'Price 90+3' |
Report | Asprilla 68' Fochive 81' |
Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park Attendance: 12,200 Referee: Ted Unkel |
| October 27 32 | Portland Timbers | 2–0 | San Jose Earthquakes | Portland, Oregon |
| 19:00 PST | Paredes 20' D. Chará 27', 34' Asprilla 55', 57' |
Report | J. López 19' Remedi 50' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 16,086 Referee: Alex Chilowicz |
| November 3 33 | Real Salt Lake | 1–3 | Portland Timbers | Sandy, Utah |
| 18:30 PST | Ruíz 36' Rusnák 88' (pen.) |
Report | Blanco 17', 45' Herrera 38' (o.g.) Tuiloma 82' Bravo 87' |
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium Attendance: 18,405 Referee: Chris Penso |
| November 7 34 | Portland Timbers | 3–0 | Austin FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 15:00 PST | Paredes 17' Niezgoda 45'Blanco 53' |
Report | Berhalter 47' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 23,127 Referee: Rosendo Mendoza |
MLS Cup Playoffs edit
| November 21 First Round | Portland Timbers | 3–1 | Minnesota United FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 14:30 PST | Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 22,533 Referee: Armando Villarreal |
| November 25 Conf. Semifinals | Colorado Rapids | 0–1 | Portland Timbers | Commerce City, Colorado |
| 13:30 PST | Report | Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park Referee: Ted Unkel |
| December 4 Conf. Finals | Portland Timbers | 2–0 | Real Salt Lake | Portland, Oregon |
| 3:30 PM PST | Report | Herrera 58' 79' Ruíz 90+3' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 25,218 Referee: Alan Kelly |
MLS Cup edit
| Portland Timbers | 1–1 (a.e.t.) | New York City FC |
|---|---|---|
| Mora 90+4' |
Report | Castellanos 41' |
| Penalties | ||
| 2–4 | ||
U.S. Open Cup edit
CONCACAF Champions League edit
Round of 16 edit
| April 6 First leg | Marathón  | 2–2 |  Portland Timbers | San Pedro Sula, Honduras |
| 3:00 PM PDT | Castillo 39' Ramírez 68' |
Report | Mora 35' Torres 59' (o.g.)Williamson 77' |
Stadium: Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano Attendance: 0 Referee: César Ramos (Mexico) |
| April 13 Second leg | Portland Timbers | 5–0 (7–2 agg.) | Marathón | Portland |
| 5:00 PM PDT | Župarić 8' Y. Chará 19', 36', 79'Valeri 66'Bodily 87'Loría 89' |
Report | López 43' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador) |
Quarter-finals edit
| April 28 First leg | Portland Timbers | 1–1 |  América | Portland |
| 7:30 PM PDT | Mora 19', 90+7' (pen.) Župarić 40'Bravo 52'D. Chará 87' |
Report | Suárez 33' Martínez 45+1' (pen.), 82'Aquino 61'Fuentes 70'Sánchez 71' |
Stadium: Providence Park Referee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala) |
| May 5 Second leg | América | 3–1 (4–2 agg.) | Portland Timbers | Mexico City, Mexico |
| 7:15 PM PDT | Viñas 21', 59' (pen.) Suárez 70' |
Report | Valeri 56', 64' (pen.) Tuiloma 60'Mabiala 75'Van Rankin 79' |
Stadium: Estadio Azteca Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador) |
Statistics edit
Appearances and discipline edit
Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as a substitute.
(T2) = Players called up from Portland Timbers 2 for short-term contracts.
| No. | Pos. | Name | MLS | MLS Playoffs | Champions League | Total | ||||||||||||
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Goalkeeper stats edit
The list is sorted by total minutes played then by jersey number.
| No. | Player | MLS | MLS Playoffs | Champions League | Total | ||||||||||||
| MIN | GA | GAA | SV | MIN | GA | GAA | SV | MIN | GA | GAA | SV | MIN | GA | GAA | SV | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Top assists edit
The list is sorted by shirt number when total assists are equal.
| Rnk | Pos | No. | Player | MLS | MLS Cup Playoffs | Champions League | Total |
|---|
Shutouts edit
The list is sorted by shirt number when total clean sheets are equal.
| Rnk | No. | Player | MLS | MLS Cup Playoffs | Champions League | Total |
|---|
Summary edit
| Games played | 2 (2 Champions League) |
| Games won | 1 (1 Champions League) |
| Games drawn | 1 (1 Champions League) |
| Games lost | 0 |
| Goals scored | 7 (7 Champions League) |
| Goals conceded | 2 (2 Champions League) |
| Goal difference | +5 (+5 Champions League) |
| Clean sheets | 1 (1 Champions League) |
| Yellow cards | 3 (3 Champions League) |
| Red cards | 0 |
| Most appearances | Tied (2 appearances) |
| Top scorer |  Yimmi Chará (3 goals)
|
| Top assists | Josecarlos Van Rankin (2 assists)
|
| Top shutouts | Steve Clark (1 shutout)
|
| Winning percentage | Overall: 1/2 (50%) |
Last updated: April 13, 2021.
Source: Competitions
Top scorers edit
The list is sorted by shirt number when total goals are equal.
| Rnk | Pos | No. | Player | MLS | MLS Cup Playoffs | Champions League | Total |
|---|
References edit
- ^ "Procedure Set to Determine Final U.S. Representative in 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League". United States Soccer Federation. September 14, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.