The 2016 Portland Timbers season was the sixth season for the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The Timbers began this season as 2015 MLS Cup champions, but failed to qualify for the 2016 playoffs after a 4–1 away defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on the final league day, also resulting in them failing to win the Cascadia Cup.
Background
Season review
March
The reigning champions started their season against Columbus Crew SC. It was the fourth consecutive home opener being the first match of the season for the Timbers. As it has been since 2011, the Timbers Army led the national anthem and raised a tifo remembering the MLS Cup final victory with the words "Kiss. Dance. Love. You always remember your first." The Timbers were able to start strong with Valeri making the first goal in the 23rd minute from a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. Columbus would soon return the blow with a goal that came out of nothing. In the 68th minute, Higuaín was able to control the ball that lightly bounced off of Taylor's back and finish with a bicycle kick to equalize Columbus Crew SC. The Timbers answered in the 79th minute with a goal from Adi, who recovered the deflection from goalkeeper Steve Clark that blocked Asprilla's low shot. The Timbers won, 2–1.
The Timbers felt the loss of Liam Ridgewell who was ruled out with a hamstring injury shortly before the San Jose away match. Jermaine Taylor would be moved into the center back position due to Ridgewell's injury and give Zack Valentin his first start for the Timbers as he filled Taylor's position at left back. The Timber's would fall 2–1 with a late goal from substitute Jack McInerney.
Jack Barmby was announced to join the Timbers on loan from Leicester City and Darren Mattocks was signed from Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
The Timbers faced off with Real Salt Lake at home for a 2–2 draw. Despite playing against a 9-man Salt Lake squad, out-shooting them 26–7, and having 17 corners to their 4, the Timbers were unable to steal the victory and had to settle for the draw. Darren Mattocks was subbed in during this match, making it his first match since joining the Timbers. Fanendo Adi was the lone scorer, putting the ball in the back of the net in the 79th minute and converted a penalty in the 84th minute.
Position at the end of March
April The Timbers started April on the road in Orlando, Florida, as they faced the current top team in the Eastern Conference, Orlando City FC. The team continued to tinker with the left back position, this time starting Jack Barmby instead of Valentin, giving Barmy his first start and appearance for the Timbers. The Timbers would suffer a harsh defeat of 4–1 with Fanendo Adi's penalty being blocked and allowing Orlando to convert their penalty. Jack McInerney was able to perform a late goal again, preventing Orlando's shutout.
The Timbers continued their search for a win on the road, this time against LA Galaxy. Chris Klute returned to the first team from Timbers 2, getting his first appearance as the squad continued to find a replacement for the left back position. The Timbers also changed their formation for this match from a 4–3–3 to a 4–2–3–1 putting Jack Jewsbury with Chara in the defensive midfielder positions. in the 52nd minute, Diego Valeri was able to send the ball to Fanendo Adi who managed a nice angle shot to send the ball inside the far end of the net. In the 74th minute, the Darlington Nagbe had to be carried off the pitch and return to the locker room via wheelchair due to a serious foul by Nigel de Jong to the ankle, who managed to escape with only a yellow card. Later on during the week, the MLS Disciplinary Committee would rule it was a red and de Jong was handed a 3-game suspension. Nagbe would later be ruled with an ankle sprain, contusion. Unfortunately, the Timbers would have to settle for the draw due to an own goal from Nat Borchers in the 83rd minute, continuing the Timbers search for a win on the road.
The Timbers continued their busy week, this time going against FC Dallas on a rainy Wednesday evening, 3 days after their draw with LA. This would be the first time the Timbers would have to play against a former player, Maximiliano Urruti. The Timbers would feel his presence as he made two key turnovers to give FC Dallas 2 goals, although he would not score any himself. Darren Mattocks prevented FC Dallas' clean sheet by scoring in the 67th minute, giving him his first goal as a Timber player. The Timbers fell 3–1 to FC Dallas.
The Timbers played their 3rd and final match of the week, taking a victory at home against San Jose Earthquakes. Jack McInerney got his first start and scored the first goal of the match in the 52nd minute. Fanendo Adi followed with two more goals in the 65th and 90th+9 minute. Diego Valeri would eventually get a 2nd yellow for kicking the ball away and accidentally hitting Anibal Goody in the face.
For their final match of April, the Timbers traveled to New England. Still plagued with injuries and a red card suspension, the Timbers had to make some new roster changes for this match. The Timbers switched to a 4–4–2, starting Jake Gleeson for an injured Kawarsey and Jewsbury would stand in for a suspended Valeri. Nagbe and Asprilla made their returns for this match. At the 61st minute, the Timbers subbed in Jack Barmby as a forward and scored 3 minutes later as his shot deflected on the ground hard and chipped over the keeper. In the 89th minute, Jermaine Taylor sent the ball into his own net, leveling New England. The final score was 1–1 giving the Timbers a point on the road and still looking for their first clean sheet of the season.
Position at the end of April
May The Timbers started off May with a match at home against Toronto FC. It was the first time the Timbers would play against former midfielder and Portland favorite, Will Johnson. Adi would score early in the 17th minute with assists from Valeri and Mattocks. Right before the half, at the 40th minute, Will Johnson was able to shoot a low rocket into the back of the net. He had a moment of excitement but then proceeded to not celebrate against his former club. The Timbers would win it as the final goal was struck by Diego Valeri, which also happened to be his birthday that day, from a free kick around 22 yards out. With the help of backup goalkeeper, Jake Gleeson, who made 4 amazing saves, the Timbers would take 3 points at home with a 2–1 win.
For their first Cascadia match of the year, the Timbers traveled to Canada to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Timbers were able to strike first with Nat Borchers who had a beautiful setup from Darlington Nagbe and Fanendo Adi. Vancouver would later answer back with two goals, sealing the win at 2–1 and remaining undefeated in the Cascadia Cup.
The Timbers took on New York City FC for the first time at Providence Park. Adi was able to score another goal, moving his top scorer record to 8 for the 2016 season. The Timbers would fall 2–1 in the end, extending their losing streak to 3.
The Timbers finished off their month of May, traveling to Bridgeview, Illinois to face the Chicago Fire. Valeri sent one to the back of the net in the 18th minute, but two minutes later, Chicago equalized with DP, David Accam. Both teams would settle for a point and the Timbers continue to look for their first win on the road.
Position at the end of May
June
The Timbers started the month of June back home against San Jose Earthquakes. Liam Ridgewell was the lone scorer by a header from Diego Valeri's free kick outside the 18 yard box. In extra time in the first half, the Timbers would lose Dairon Asprilla to a red card from an elbow to the face. The Timbers were also able to clutch their first clean sheet with Jake Gleeson protecting the net and having only 10 men for the 2nd half.
The Timbers entered the 102nd U.S. Open Cup at home against San Jose Earthquakes, who the team recently defeated at the start of the month in regular MLS season play. Dairon Asprilla would manage to score first from a shot that rolled out of the hands of goal keeper Bryan Meredith. Jack McInerney would follow up shortly with a second goal from a free kick a bit past the 18-yard box. The Timbers would go on to win 2–0, giving Jake Gleeson his second clean sheet of the year. During the fifth round draw, The Timbers drew LA Galaxy at Providence Park. The winner of that match would then go to host the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup.
The Timbers went on their only away match for this month to Salt Lake City to face off against Real Salt Lake. Fanendo Adi would score, raising his count this year to nine goals with an assist from Jermaine Taylor. Lucas Melano was able to score his first goal of the season. The Timber's would tie Salt Lake 2–2.
The Timber's played their final June league match at home against Houston Dynamo. Playing in 87(°F) degree weather, the Timbers fell behind two goals in the 28th and 30th minute. At the 2nd half, the Timbers would rally back with a goal from Lucas Melano, assisted by Diego Valeri in the 63rd minute. Diego Valeri was gifted a penalty at the 82nd minute which he successfully converted. Finally near the final whistle, at the 90+1 minute, Diego Valeri was given another penalty shot and successfully sent the ball to the back of the net, completing the Timber's comeback and collecting all 3 points.
The Timbers would be eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup, following a 0–1 loss to LA Galaxy.
Position at the end of June
July
The Timbers start their month of July on the road against Colorado Rapids, who would be starting veteran USA goalkeeper, Tim Howard for the first time. The Timbers were without Diego Valeri and Liam Ridgewell, however, both sides were able to keep a clean sheet and ended the match 0-0.
Continuing their 6-match unbeaten streak, the Timbers traveled to New York to face the Red Bulls. Still without Adam Kawarsey and Diego Valeri, the Timbers held a clean sheet with New York at 0–0, giving both teams a point and raising the Timber's unbeaten streak to 7.
After a very short break, the Timbers returned home to face Montreal Impact. With both sides still missing key players such as Diego Valeri for the Timbers and Didier Drogba for the Impact, both sides would fight for a draw with Jack McInerney being the lone scorer for the Timbers. This put the Timbers to 8 games without a loss.
For the first time this year, the Timbers met with their main rivals, Seattle Sounders FC at home. Diego Valeri would return from his injury and capture a brace in the 44th and 50th minute with one being assisted by Lucas Melano and the other by Jermaine Taylor. Chad Marshall of Seattle Sounders FC would give them one goal; however, Fanendo Adi would put the Timbers back up by two with a goal in the 64th minute, assisted by Melano. The Timbers would win 3–1 and putting them currently in first place for the Cascadia Cup by goal differentials.
Attempting to continue to their undefeated streak, the Timbers went against LA Galaxy at home. LA was without Steven Gerrard and the Timbers without Liam Ridgewell. The Galaxy were able to take a commanding lead with goals from Robbie Keane in the 7th minute and Gyasi Zardes in the 11th minute. Zarek Valentin, assisted by Darlington Nagbe, was able to give the Timbers a goal before the end of the half. Shortly after, Nat Borchers would suffer an Achilles tendon injury that would leave him out for the remainder of the season. In the end, the Timbers would fall 2–1 and ending their streak at 9.