2023 Portland Timbers season

Portland Timbers
2023 season
CEOHeather Davis
Interim Head coachMiles Joseph
StadiumProvidence Park
Portland, Oregon
(Capacity: 25,218)
Major League SoccerConference: 10th
Overall: 18th
U.S. Open CupRound of 32
Leagues CupRound of 32
Top goalscorerLeague: Evander (9)
All: Evander (11)
Highest home attendance25,218[1]
Lowest home attendance21,320[1]
Average home league attendance23,102[2]
Biggest win4–1
SEA (April 15)
Biggest defeat5–0
HOU (August 20)
Primary colors
Secondary colors

The 2023 Portland Timbers season was the 37th season in their existence and the 13th season for the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.

Background

Season review

February

On February 27, Portland hosted Sporting Kansas City for the home opener after a postponed match that was set for Saturday 25 due to heavy snow and ice. Portland scored the first goal in the 6th minute by Juan Mosquera (assisted by Yimmi Chará) to give the Timbers their first win of the season.

March

On March 4, Portland traveled to Los Angeles, California to play Los Angeles Football Club at the newly named BMO Stadium. Portland was able to almost catch up after being down by 3 with a final score of 2-3. The goalscorers were Evander (assist by: J. Mosquera) in the 62nd minute and C. Paredes (assist by: Nathan Fogaça) in the 84th minute.

On March 13, Portland announced the signing of Ivorian forward Franck Boli to a one-year contract with a club option for the 2024 season.[3]

Team kits

Supplier: Adidas / Sponsor: Alaska Air

Primary
Secondary

Coaching staff and front office

Executive staff

Position Staff
Owner of Peregrine Sports, LLC Heather Davis
Chief Executive Officer Heather Davis
Chief Administrative Officer / Chief Financial Officer Sarah Keane
Chief Operations Officer Ashley Highsmith
Chief Revenue Officer Joe Cote
Sr. VP, Corporate Partnerships Todd Spear
Sr. VP, Ticket and Business Intelligence Chris Wilson
Sr. VP, Operations Ken Puckett
VP, Production and Content Matt Smith
VP, Communications Collin Romer
VP, Community and Social Impact Dr. Robin Beavers

Last updated: March 1, 2023
Source: [1]

Coaching staff

Position Staff
General Manager Ned Grabavoy
Interim Head Coach Miles Joseph
Assistant Coach Liam Ridgewell
Goalkeeping Coach Guillermo Valencia
Head Athletic Trainer Stephanie Ludwig
Head of Performance Nick Milonas
Director of Sports Medicine Matthew Weston

Last updated: March 1, 2023
Source: Portland Timbers

Stadiums

Ground (capacity and dimensions) Providence Park (25,218 / 110x75 yards)
Training ground Adidas Training Facility

Source: Providence Park

Squad information

First team

As of March 14, 2023[4][5]
    No. Name Nat Positions Since Date of birth (Age) Signed from Games Goals
    Goalkeepers
    1 David Bingham GK 2022 (1989-10-19) October 19, 1989 Free agent 3 0
    31 Aljaž Ivačič (INT) GK 2019 (1993-12-29) December 29, 1993 NK Olimpija Ljubljana 65 0
    36 Hunter Sulte (HG) GK 2020 (2002-04-25) April 25, 2002 N/A 0 0
    Defenders
    5 Claudio Bravo (INT) DF 2020 (1997-03-13) March 13, 1997 Banfield 49 0
    13 Dario Župarić DF 2020 (1992-05-03) May 3, 1992 HNK Rijeka 81 0
    15 Eric Miller DF 2023 (1993-01-15) January 15, 1993 Free agent 0 0
    16 Justin Rasmussen W, LB 2022 (1998-12-15) December 15, 1998 Portland Timbers 2 10 0
    18 Zac McGraw DF 2020 (1997-06-08) June 8, 1997 2020 MLS SuperDraft 34 1
    28 Pablo Bonilla RB 2020 (1999-12-02) December 2, 1999 Deportivo La Guaira 36 0
    29 Juan Mosquera DF 2022 (2002-09-05) September 5, 2002 Independiente Medellín 4 1
    33 Larrys Mabiala DF 2017 (1987-10-08) October 8, 1987 Kayserispor 130 8
    Midfielders
    10 Sebastián Blanco (DP) MF / FW 2017 (1990-03-05) March 5, 1990 San Lorenzo 159 40
    18 Eryk Williamson (HG) MF 2018 (1997-06-11) June 11, 1997 D.C. United 65 4
    20 Evander (DP) (INT) MF 2023 (1998-06-09) June 9, 1998 FC Midtjylland 1 0
    21 Diego Chara CDM 2011 (1986-04-05) April 5, 1986 Deportes Tolima 339 12
    22 Cristhian Paredes CDM 2018 (1998-05-18) May 18, 1998 América 106 10
    23 Yimmi Chará (DP) W 2020 (1991-04-02) April 2, 1991 Clube Atlético Mineiro 86 14
    24 David Ayala (U22) MF 2022 (2002-07-26) July 26, 2002 Estudiantes 21 0
    30 Santiago Moreno (U22) (INT) W 2021 (2000-04-21) April 21, 2000 América de Cali 48 7
    44 Marvin Loría W 2018 (1997-04-24) April 24, 1997 Deportivo Saprissa 92 6
    Forwards
    7 Franck Boli (INT) FW 2023 (1993-12-07) December 7, 1993 Ferencvárosi TC 0 0
    9 Felipe Mora ST 2020 (1994-08-02) August 2, 1994 UNAM 55 19
    11 Jarosław Niezgoda (DP) ST 2020 (1995-03-15) March 15, 1995 Legia Warsaw 61 19
    16 Diego Gutierrez FW 2023 (1999-05-01) May 1, 1999 2021 MLS SuperDraft 2 0
    17 Tega Ikoba (HG) FW 2022 (2003-08-14) August 14, 2003 N/A 2 0
    27 Dairon Asprilla RW / LW / FW 2015 (1992-05-25) May 25, 1992 Atlético Nacional 158 27

    Second team

    eMLS team

    As of February 28, 2023[6]
    Name Nat Since Gamer tag
    Players
    Bruno Albino 2022 CptBruno

    Competitions

    Competitions overview

    Competition Record Start Round First Match Last Match Final Position (Conference)
    G W D L GF GA GD Win %
    Major League Soccer 34 11 13 10 46 58 −12 032.35 Matchday 1 February 27 October 21 18th (10th Western)
    U.S. Open Cup 2 1 0 1 6 5 +1 050.00 Third round April 26 May 10 Round of 32
    Leagues Cup 3 1 0 2 3 3 +0 033.33 Group stage July 22 August 4 Round of 32
    Total 39 13 13 13 55 66 −11 033.33

    Source: Competitions

    Major League Soccer

    Preseason

      Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

    February 12, 2023 1 LA Galaxy 1–4 Portland Timbers Indio, California
    10:30 am PST Report Stadium: Empire Polo Club
    February 15, 2023 2 Toronto FC 2–2 Portland Timbers Indio, California
    2:00 pm PST Report Stadium: Empire Polo Club
    February 18, 2023 3 New York City FC 0–1 Portland Timbers Indio, California
    12:00 pm PST Report Stadium: Empire Polo Club

    MLS Regular season

    Western Conference
    MLS Western Conference table (2023)
    Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
    8 Sporting Kansas City 34 12 14 8 48 51 −3 44 Qualification for the wild-card round
    9 San Jose Earthquakes 34 10 10 14 39 43 −4 44
    10 Portland Timbers 34 11 13 10 46 58 −12 43
    11 Minnesota United FC 34 10 13 11 46 51 −5 41
    12 Austin FC 34 10 15 9 49 55 −6 39
    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)
    Overall standings
    Overall MLS standings table
    Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
    16 San Jose Earthquakes 34 10 10 14 39 43 −4 44 Qualification for the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32[a]
    17 New York Red Bulls 34 11 13 10 36 39 −3 43
    18 Portland Timbers 34 11 13 10 46 58 −12 43
    19 Charlotte FC 34 10 11 13 45 52 −7 43
    20 CF Montréal 34 12 17 5 36 52 −16 41
    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:
    1. ^ As one of the top seven teams in the overall table to not qualify for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup
    Matches

      Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

    February 27, 2023 1 Portland Timbers 1–0 Sporting Kansas City Portland, Oregon
    7:00 pm PST
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 22,925
    Referee: Timothy Ford
    Note: Originally scheduled for February 25, but was postponed due to poor weather in Portland
    March 4, 2023 2 Los Angeles FC 3–2 Portland Timbers Los Angeles, California
    1:30 pm PST
    Report
    Stadium: BMO Stadium
    Attendance: 22,202
    Referee: Joseph Dickerson
    March 11, 2023 3 Portland Timbers 1–2 St. Louis City SC Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PST
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 23,386
    Referee: Victor Rivas
    March 18, 2023 4 Atlanta United FC 5–1 Portland Timbers Atlanta, Georgia
    4:30 pm PST
    Report
    Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
    Attendance: 42,648
    Referee: Ted Unkel
    March 25, 2023 (2023-03-25) 4 Portland Timbers 0–0 LA Galaxy Portland, Oregon
    1:30 pm PST
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 24,077
    Referee: Chris Penso
    April 1, 2023 6 FC Dallas 1–1 Portland Timbers Frisco, Texas
    5:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Toyota Stadium
    Attendance: 19,096
    Referee: Armando Villarreal
    April 8, 2023 7 Cascadia Cup Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1–0 Portland Timbers Vancouver, British Columbia
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: BC Place
    Attendance: 17,029
    Referee: Nima Saghafi
    April 15, 2023 8 Cascadia Cup Portland Timbers 4–1 Seattle Sounders FC Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 25,218
    Referee: Drew Fischer
    April 22, 2023 9 FC Cincinnati 2–1 Portland Timbers Cincinnati, Ohio
    4:30 pm EDT Nwobodo  32'
    Santos 34'
    Vazquez 58'
    Mosquera  84'
    Angulo  90+7'
    Report Mabiala  20'
    Asprilla  30', 60'
    Chara  72'
    McGraw  90+1'
    Stadium: TQL Stadium
    Attendance: 25,513
    Referee: Allen Chapman
    April 29, 2023 10 St. Louis City SC 1–2 Portland Timbers St Louis, Missouri
    5:30 pm (PDT)
    Report
    Stadium: CityPark
    Attendance: 22,423
    Referee: Ismail Elfath
    May 6, 2023 11 Portland Timbers 2–2 Austin FC Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm (PDT) Župarić 33',  87'
    Boli  40'
    Bravo  56', 71'
    Report Gallagher 59'
    Bruin 90+2'
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 23,318
    Referee: Jon Freemon
    May 13, 2023 12 Cascadia Cup Portland Timbers 3–1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 23,154
    Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
    May 17, 2023 13 Real Salt Lake 0–0 Portland Timbers Sandy, Utah
    6:30 pm PDT Eneli  45+1' Report Boli  72' Stadium: America First Field
    Attendance: 18,020
    Referee: Ramy Touchan
    May 20, 2023 14 Portland Timbers 0–1 Minnesota United FC Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 22,137
    Referee: Armando Villarreal
    May 28, 2023 15 Sporting Kansas City 4–1 Portland Timbers Kansas City, Kansas
    12:00 pm PDT Thommy 11'
    Fontàs  47'
    Sallói 66'
    Mabiala 68' (o.g.)
    Radoja  72'
    Shelton  85'
    Hernández 90+3'
    Report Boli 8'
    Loría  89'
    Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
    Attendance: 18,514
    Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
    June 3, 2023 16 Cascadia Cup Seattle Sounders FC 0–0 Portland Timbers Seattle, Washington
    1:30 pm PDT Ragen  90+2' Report Chará  7'
    Bravo  70'
    Paredes  79'
    Stadium: Lumen Field
    Attendance: 42,054
    Referee: Allen Chapman
    Note: Part of a doubleheader with OL Reign and Portland Thorns FC.[7]
    June 11, 2023 17 Portland Timbers 1–0 FC Dallas Portland, Oregon
    7:00 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 22,907
    Referee: Ted Unkel
    June 17, 2023 18 San Jose Earthquakes 0–0 Portland Timbers San Jose, California
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: PayPal Park
    Attendance: 14,188
    Referee: Alex Chilowicz
    June 21, 2023 19 Portland Timbers 1–2 Chicago Fire Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 22,548
    Referee: Fotis Bazakos
    June 24, 2023 20 Portland Timbers 1–1 New York City FC Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 22,676
    Referee: Nima Saghafi
    July 1, 2023 21 Minnesota United FC 4–1 Portland Timbers Saint Paul, Minnesota
    5:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Allianz Field
    Attendance: 19,844
    Referee: Lukasz Szpala
    July 12, 2023 22 Colorado Rapids 0–0 Portland Timbers Commerce City, Colorado
    5:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 17,426
    Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
    Note: Match was abandoned on July 4 at halftime due to severe weather in the area and resumed on July 12.[8]
    July 15, 2023 23 Portland Timbers 3–2 Columbus Crew Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 24,181
    Referee: Timothy Ford
    August 20, 2023 24 Houston Dynamo FC 5–0 Portland Timbers Houston, Texas
    5:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
    Attendance: 12,670
    Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
    August 26, 2023 25 Cascadia Cup Portland Timbers 2–3 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 22,674
    Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
    August 30, 2023 26 Portland Timbers 2–1 Real Salt Lake Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 21,320
    Referee: Joseph Dickerson
    September 2, 2023 27 Cascadia Cup Seattle Sounders FC 2–2 Portland Timbers Seattle, Washington
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Lumen Field
    Attendance: 37,031
    Referee: Jon Freemon
    September 9, 2023 28 Portland Timbers 2–0 Los Angeles FC Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 23,239
    Referee: Drew Fischer
    September 17, 2023 29 Austin FC 1–2 Portland Timbers Austin, Texas
    5:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Q2 Stadium
    Attendance: 20,738
    Referee: Armando Villarreal
    September 20, 2023 30 Portland Timbers 2–1 San Jose Earthquakes Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 21,518
    Referee: Ramy Touchan
    September 23, 2023 31 Portland Timbers 3–2 Colorado Rapids Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 22,248
    Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
    September 30, 2023 32 LA Galaxy 3–3 Portland Timbers Carson, California
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
    Attendance: 23,101
    Referee: Joseph Dickerson
    October 7, 2023 33 CF Montréal 4–1 Portland Timbers Montreal, Quebec
    4:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Saputo Stadium
    Attendance: 17,559
    Referee: Lukasz Szpala
    October 21, 2023 34 Portland Timbers 1–3 Houston Dynamo FC Portland, Oregon
    6:00 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 25,218
    Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
    Results by match round
    Matchday123456
    StadiumHAHAHA
    ResultWLLLDD
    Updated to match(es) played on March 4, 2023. Source: Major League Soccer
    A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
    Results by location
    Overall Home Away
    Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
    6 1 2 3 5 10  −5 5 1 1 1 2 2  0 0 1 2 3 8  −5

    Last updated: April 6, 2023.
    Source: Major League Soccer

    Cascadia Cup

    Standings
    Pos Team GP W L D GF GA GD Pts
    1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 6 3 1 2 9 8 1 10
    2 Portland Timbers 6 2 2 2 11 8 +3 8
    3 Seattle Sounders FC 6 1 3 2 6 10 -4 6

    Last updated: October 20, 2024.
    Source: Cascadia Cup

    Matches
    April 8, 2023 7 Cascadia Cup Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1–0 Portland Timbers Vancouver, British Columbia
    7:30pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: BC Place
    Attendance: 17,029
    Referee: Nima Saghafi
    April 15, 2023 8 Cascadia Cup Portland Timbers 4–1 Seattle Sounders FC Portland, Oregon
    7:30pm PDT
    Report Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 25,218
    Referee: Drew Fischer
    May 13, 2023 12 Cascadia Cup Portland Timbers 3–1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Portland, Oregon
    7:30pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 23,154
    Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
    June 3, 2023 16 Cascadia Cup Seattle Sounders FC 0–0 Portland Timbers Seattle, Washington
    1:30 p.m. PDT Ragen  90+2' Report Chará  7'
    Bravo  70'
    Paredes  79'
    Stadium: Lumen Field
    Attendance: 42,054
    Referee: Allen Chapman
    Note: Part of a doubleheader with OL Reign and Portland Thorns FC.[9]
    August 26, 2023 25 Cascadia Cup Portland Timbers 2–3 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Portland, Oregon
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 22,674
    Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
    September 2, 2023 27 Cascadia Cup Seattle Sounders FC 2–2 Portland Timbers Seattle, Washington
    7:30 pm PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Lumen Field
    Attendance: 37,031
    Referee: Jon Freemon

    U.S. Open Cup

      Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

    April 26, 2023 3rd round Portland Timbers (MLS) 3–1 Orange County SC (USLC)Portland, Oregon
    7:30 PM PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 11,639
    Referee: Olvin Oliva
    May 10, 2023 round of 32 Portland Timbers (MLS) 3–4 Real Salt Lake (MLS) Portland, Oregon
    7:30 PM PDT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 8,071
    Referee: Victor Rivas

    Leagues Cup

    West 1 Group

    Standings

    Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification UAN POR SJE
    1 UANL 2 2 0 0 0 3 1 +2 6 Advance to knockout stage 2–1 1–0
    2 Portland Timbers 2 1 0 0 1 3 2 +1 3 2–0
    3 San Jose Earthquakes 2 0 0 0 2 0 3 −3 0
    Source: Leagues Cup
    Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
    Matches

      Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

    July 22, 2023 Group stage Portland Timbers 2–0 San Jose Earthquakes Portland, Oregon
    7:00 PM PT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 21,137
    Referee: Víctor Alfonso Cáceres Hernández
    July 26, 2023 Group stage Portland Timbers 1–2 UANL Portland, Oregon
    7:00 PM PT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 21,755
    Referee: Walter López Castellanos
    August 4, 2023 R32 Portland Timbers 0–1 Monterrey Portland, Oregon
    7:00 PM PT
    Report
    Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 18,770
    Referee: Guillermo Pacheco Larios

    Transfers

    Per league and club policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed except Targeted Allocation Money, General Allocation Money, draft picks, and international rosters spots.

    Transfers in

    Date Position Player Previous Club TAM GAM Notes Source
    Winter
    December 5, 2022 MF Evander FC Midtjylland N/A N/A Signed as a Designated Player. [10]
    February 25, 2023 DF Eric Miller Nashville SC N/A N/A Signed as a free agent. [11]
    March 13, 2023 FW Franck Boli Ferencvárosi TC N/A N/A Occupy an International Roster Spot. [3]
    Summer

    Loans in

    Date Position Player Previous club TAM GAM Notes Source
    Winter
    Summer

    Loans out

    Date Position Player Loaned club TAM GAM Notes Source
    Winter
    Summer

    References

    1. ^ a b "Portland Timbers Performance Stats – 2023–24". ESPN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
    2. ^ Kennedy, Paul (October 22, 2023). "MLS breaks attendance record". Soccer America. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
    3. ^ a b "Timbers sign forward Franck Boli from Hungarian side Ferencvárosi TC". Portland Timbers. March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
    4. ^ "Portland Timbers 2023 Roster". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
    5. ^ "First Team Roster". Portland Timbers. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
    6. ^ "PMeet Bruno Albino, the Portland Timbers' brand-new eMLS competitor". Retrieved December 7, 2022.
    7. ^ "2023 Sounders FC-OL Reign doubleheader taking place June 3 with both teams facing archrival Portland" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. February 8, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
    8. ^ "Postponed Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers match set for July 12". MLSsoccer.com. July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
    9. ^ "2023 Sounders FC-OL Reign doubleheader taking place June 3 with both teams facing archrival Portland" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. February 8, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
    10. ^ "Timbers sign Brazilian international Evander as Designated Player". Portland Timbers. December 5, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
    11. ^ "Timbers sign free agent defender Eric Miller". Portland Timbers. February 25, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.