Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers is a professional soccer club in Portland, Oregon. Awarded an MLSMLSMajor League Soccer (MLS) is a top-flight professional soccer league comprising clubs in the United States and Canada. Play began in 1996, and the league has 30 clubs divided between Eastern and Western Conferences in 2026.Open the full entry franchise in 2009, it began league play in 2011 and plays at Providence Park.
Contents22 sections
Key facts
1975The Timbers name enters the NASL
Portland’s 1975 NASL expansion team first used the Timbers name and reached the Soccer Bowl that season.[1]
1989Professional soccer returns to Portland
Art Dixon revived the Timbers in 1989; that incarnation ceased operating after 1990.[1]
2001The USL era begins
The Timbers returned in 2001 and played ten second-division seasons before entering MLS, winning regular-season titles in 2004 and 2009.[1]
June 2007Merritt Paulson leads the acquisition
On June 1, 2007, the club announced completion of its sale. Merritt Paulson’s Shortstop LLC acquired both the Timbers and the Portland Beavers baseball team. Henry Paulson held a minority interest without an operational role.[2]
March 2009MLS awards Portland a franchise
On March 20, 2009, MLS awarded its 18th franchise to the Paulson family in Portland. The team would begin play in 2011 under the Timbers name, while the USL side continued through the 2009 and 2010 seasons.[3]
2011MLS play begins
Portland began MLS play in 2011.[1]
February 2014The stadium becomes Providence Park
On February 10, 2014, the club announced a naming agreement with Providence Health & Services, changing Jeld-Wen Field’s name to Providence Park.[4]
December 2015A first MLS Cup title
On December 6, 2015, Portland defeated Columbus CrewColumbus CrewColumbus Crew is an MLS club in Columbus, Ohio, operated by Haslam Sports Group and the Edwards family. Its home is ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.Open the full entry 2–1 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus to win its first MLS Cup.[5]
December 2018A second MLS Cup final
On December 8, 2018, Portland reached another MLS Cup final and lost 2–0 to Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.[6]
2019Providence Park expansion is completed
In 2019, Providence Park completed an $85 million privately funded renovation. A three-tier east-side addition provided roughly 4,000 extra seats, raising capacity to 25,218.[7]
August 2020Winning the MLS is Back Tournament
On August 11, 2020, Portland beat Orlando CityOrlando CityOrlando City SC is a Major League Soccer club based in Orlando, Florida. Awarded an expansion franchise in 2013, it began MLS play in 2015. Its home stadium is Inter.co Stadium.Open the full entry 2–1 in the MLS is Back Tournament final. Larrys Mabiala and Dario Zuparic scored, and the title secured a place in the 2021 Concacaf Champions League.[8]
December 2021A shootout loss in the home final
On December 11, 2021, Portland hosted MLS Cup at Providence Park. Felipe Mora equalized in stoppage time; the match remained 1–1 after extra time, and New York City FCNew York City Football ClubNew York City FC (NYCFC) is a Major League Soccer club representing New York City. Awarded its franchise in 2013, it began MLS play in 2015 and won the 2021 MLS Cup.Open the full entry won the shootout 4–2.[9]
March 2022A league fine for failure to report an incident
On March 29, 2022, MLS released findings concerning domestic-violence allegations involving former player Andy Polo. It fined Portland $25,000 for failing to report the May 23, 2021 incident promptly and appropriately. The league said investigators found no evidence of concealment and concluded that the club’s offer of assistance did not induce Polo’s former partner to forgo criminal charges.[10]
October 2022Two executives are dismissed
On October 5, 2022, the Timbers and Portland ThornsPortland Thorns FCPortland Thorns FC is an NWSL women's professional soccer club in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 2012, it began play in 2013, plays at Providence Park, and has won three NWSL Championships.Open the full entry dismissed soccer president Gavin Wilkinson and business president Mike Golub from both clubs. Heather Davis became interim president of Peregrine Sports, while Ned Grabavoy led Timbers soccer operations.[11]
November 2023Phil Neville becomes head coach
Phil Neville joined in November 2023. His 2024 team scored a club-record 65 league goals and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.[12]
2025A second consecutive playoff appearance
Portland finished eighth in the Western Conference in 2025 with an 11–12–11 record, making a second consecutive playoff appearance before losing to San Diego FCSan Diego FCSan Diego FC (SDFC) is a professional soccer club in San Diego, California. Awarded an MLS expansion franchise in 2023, it began play in 2025 and uses Snapdragon Stadium as its home.Open the full entry in Game 3 of Round One.[13]
May 2026Neville departs
On May 25, 2026, the club announced a mutual separation with Neville. Portland was 4–8–2 after 14 regular-season matches; his league record over two and a half seasons was 27–31–24.[12]
July 2026Martí Cifuentes is appointed
On July 21, 2026, Portland appointed Martí Cifuentes as its fifth MLS-era head coach on a three-year contract through 2028–29. The announcement said Jack Cassidy would remain interim coach until Cifuentes completed the visa process and arrived.[14]
August 2026Cifuentes wins on his debut
On August 13, 2026, Cifuentes made his competitive debut at Providence Park with a 3–1 comeback win over Club Tijuana. Portland finished the Leagues Cup first phase with two wins and one loss but did not advance.[15]
Stadium traditions
The tradition of cutting a log slab after a home goal dates to the NASL era.[1]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Portland Timbers: Official website: https://www.timbers.com/ (opens in a new window).[16]
Sources
- Portland Timbers (opens in a new window)
- Timbers announce finalization of team sale | PTFC (opens in a new window)
- Major League Soccer Awards Expansion Team to Portland for 2011 - OurSports Central (opens in a new window)
- Providence Health and Timbers ink naming rights deal (opens in a new window)
- PTFC: From the Archives | Columbus Crew vs. Portland Timbers | MLS Cup | Dec. 6, 2015 | PTFC (opens in a new window)
- MLS CUP MATCH RECAP | Atlanta United FC 2, Portland Timbers 0 | PTFC (opens in a new window)
- Timbers, Thorns FC recognized by Portland Business Journal with Commercial Real Estate Transformer Award | PTFC (opens in a new window)
- Quotes & Notes | Portland Timbers 2, Orlando City SC 1 | Aug. 11, 2020 | PTFC (opens in a new window)
- "Soccer can be cruel": Portland Timbers lament missed MLS Cup 2021 opportunity | MLSSoccer.com (opens in a new window)
- MLS statement on report regarding Portland Timbers organization | MLSSoccer.com (opens in a new window)
- President of soccer Gavin Wilkinson and president of business Mike Golub relieved of their duties | PTFC (opens in a new window)
- Portland Timbers mutually part ways with head coach Phil Neville | PTFC (opens in a new window)
- Timbers announce coaching and soccer operations staff ahead of 2026 MLS season | PTFC (opens in a new window)
- Portland Timbers name Martí Cifuentes head coach | PTFC (opens in a new window)
- LEAGUES CUP RECAP | Portland Timbers come from behind to defeat Club Tijuana 3-1 | PTFC (opens in a new window)
- Portland Timbers (opens in a new window)