| 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. | |||
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.
Background
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
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
Preseason friendlies
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
Competitive
Major League Soccer
Standings
- 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[lower-alpha 1] | 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 | 
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[lower-alpha 1] | 
| 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 | 
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
| 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
| 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
| Portland Timbers | 1–1 (a.e.t.) | New York City FC | 
|---|---|---|
| Mora  90+4' | Report | Castellanos  41' | 
| Penalties | ||
| 2–4 | ||
U.S. Open Cup
CONCACAF Champions League
Round of 16
| 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) | 
Quarter-finals
| 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
Appearances and discipline
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 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps |  |    |  | Apps |  |    |  | Apps |  |    |  | Apps |  |    |  | |||
Goalkeeper stats
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
The list is sorted by shirt number when total assists are equal.
| Rnk | Pos | No. | Player | MLS | MLS Cup Playoffs | Champions League | Total | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shutouts
The list is sorted by shirt number when total clean sheets are equal.
| Rnk | No. | Player | MLS | MLS Cup Playoffs | Champions League | Total | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summary
| 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
The list is sorted by shirt number when total goals are equal.
| Rnk | Pos | No. | Player | MLS | MLS Cup Playoffs | Champions League | Total | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
References
- ↑ "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.
















