The 2019 Portland Timbers season was the 33rd season in their existence and the 9th 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 2018 (December 8, 2018) to their final match in MLS or MLS Playoffs in 2019 (October 19, 2019).
Background
Season review by month
Off season On December 10, Zarek Valentin has signed a new contract.
Portland also announced roster moves that include recalling Eryk Williamson's loan from Portuguese first-division side Clube Desportivo Santa Clara. Andy Polo is now under contract with Portland after reaching a performance threshold included in his loan agreement. Portland exercised contract options on goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh, defenders Modou Jadama and Bill Tuiloma, and forwards Jeremy Ebobisse and Foster Langsdorf. Midfielder Cristhian Paredes remains on loan with Portland from Liga MX side Club América.
Portland did not exercise contract options on midfielders Victor Arboleda, Tomás Conechny, Andrés Flores and Lawrence Olum. Goalkeepers Jake Gleeson and Steve Clark are out of contract while defender Roy Miller and midfielder Jack Barmby are also out of contract. Portland announced they are in discussions with Conechny, Florés, and Clark for the upcoming season. Gleeson and Miller will now be available for free agency. Samuel Armenteros' loan will expire on December 31, 2018.
Later on in the day, Portland also announced the signings of Portland Timbers 2 midfielders Marvin Loría and Renzo Zambrano.
Portland released its protected list ahead of the 2018 MLS Expansion Draft. The protected players are Jeff Attinella, Sebastián Blanco, Diego Chara, Jeremy Ebobisse, Marco Farfan, David Guzmán, Foster Langsdorf, Larrys Mabiala, Lucas Melano, Cristhian Paredes, Andy Polo, Diego Valeri, Jorge Villafaña, and Eryk Williamson. FC Cincinnati are allowed to select up to five players from the eligible MLS player pool. Only a single player can be drafted from any one club.
On December 13, former Portland midfielder Ned Grabavoy was appointed to club technical director.
On December 14, Portland passed on round one of the 2018 MLS Re-Entry Draft.
On December 20, forward Jeremy Ebobisse was named to the U.S. Men's National Team roster for January training camp. Later that day, Portland passed on round two of the 2018 MLS Re-Entry Draft.
On December 27, Portland traded right back Alvas Powell to Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati for $250,000 in General Allocation Money. Portland will also retain a percentage of the international transfer value on Powell.
On January 4, Portland's fixtures for the Mobile Mini Sun Cup preseason was released.
On January 7, MLS released the 2019 schedule for all clubs.
On January 10, center back and former club captain Liam Ridgewell mutually agreed to part ways with the club. He has been with the club since 2014.
On January 11, Portland selected American forward Ryan Sierakowski from Michigan State and German defender Lennart Hein from Saint Louis University in the first two rounds of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.
On January 14, Portland selected American defender Francesco Moore from Indiana and Venezuelan midfielder David Zalzman from Memphis in the final third and forth rounds of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.
On January 15, Portland announced their full preseason plans which include trips to Costa Rica and Tucson, Arizona.
On January 16, Portland acquire MLS rights to French defender Claude Dielna from New England Revolution.
On January 18, Portland signed goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič from Slovenian PrvaLiga side NK Olimpija Ljubljana.
Later that day, it was announced that David Guzmán and [Marvin Loría were called up by Costa Rica for the match against USA on February 2, 2019.
Preseason On January 21, Portland club players reported in for the start of the 2019 MLS Preseason.
On January 22, Portland Timbers eMLS competitor Edgar Guerrero finished in a tie for fifth on points with a record of 4-3-2 at the 2019 eMLS League Series One held in Los Angeles.
On January 25, Portland announced the re-signing of goalkeeper Steve Clark and midfielder Andrés Flores for the 2019 season. Portland announced that midfielder Tomás Conechny has returned from his loan from Superliga Argentina club San Lorenzo while Eryk Williamson also returned from his loan with Portuguese first-division side C.D. Santa Clara.
On January 29, Portland released their 2019–20 home kit that features ponderosa green and green night hoops with ponderosa green sleeves with native gold and white trims. It is the first time since the 2003 season that the team used a hoop design.
On February 4, Portland played their first preseason match against Deportivo Saprissa and won 4–0. Goals were scored by Dairon Asprilla in the 9th minute, a brace from Lucas Melano in the 32nd and 45+1 minute, and Tomás Conechny in the 61st minute.
On February 7, Portland ended their Costa Rica preseason campaign by defeating C.S. Herediano 3–1. Goals were scored by Lucas Melano in the 31st minute, Andrés Flores in the 60th minute, and Foster Langsdorf in the 69th minute. Portland now travels to Tucson, Arizona to take part in the 2019 Mobile Mini Sun Cup for their final portion of preseason.
On February 13, Portland began renegotiation terms of their deal with NK Olimpija Ljubljana on goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič, after he was found to have a leg injury.
Later that evening, Portland began their first of three matches in the 2019 Mobile Mini Sun Cup against Seattle Sounders FC. Portland defeated Seattle 2–1 with goals from a successfully converted penalty by Diego Valeri in the 40th minute and the game winner from Jeremy Ebobisse, assisted by Dairon Asprilla in the 88th minute.
On February 15, goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič underwent successful surgery to repair a left tibial stress fracture. He is expected to return to play in 6–8 weeks.
On February 16, Portland played their second match in the 2019 Mobile Mini Sun Cup against New York Red Bulls. The match ended in a draw with goals from Jeremy Ebobisse, assisted by Sebastián Blanco in the 62nd minute. The final goal was a successfully converted penalty by Diego Valeri in the 90th minute.
On February 17, Portland Timbers eMLS competitor Edgar "RCTID_Thiago" Guerrero finished second overall with a record of 5–1–3 at the 2019 eMLS League Series Two held in Frisco, Texas. Guerrero finished first in the Western Conference and lost in the final versus Philadelphia Union's Cormac "doolsta" Dooley 2–1 in a best of three.
On February 20, Portland signed Paraguayan right back Jorge Moreira on loan from Argentine Primera División side River Plate with purchase option.
Later that evening, Portland played their third match in the 2019 Mobile Mini Sun Cup against Phoenix Rising FC. The match ended in a loss for Portland with a final score of 0–1 and Sebastián Blanco being sent off in the 90th minute.
On February 22, Portland acquired $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) in 2019 and $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2010 to D.C. United for a 2019 international slot.
On February 23, Portland defeated Real Salt Lake 3–0 in their final preseason match in the 2019 Mobile Mini Sun Cup. Goals were scored by Jeremy Ebobisse in the 5th minute, assisted by Sebastián Blanco, Blanco in the 44th minute, assisted by Diego Valeri and Andy Polo, and Polo in the 72nd minute assisted by Valeri.
March On March 2, Portland kicked off their 2019 MLS Campaign by traveling to Commerce City, Colorado to take on Colorado Rapids at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park. The match called for an orange Adidas ball due to the growing amount of snow on the pitch throughout the match. Goals were scored by Diego Valeri in the 29th minute. Sebastián Blanco scored in the 45+1 minute, and an own goal from Deklan Wynne would put the Portland up by three; however a late goal from Andre Shinyahiki in the final moments of stoppage time would level Colorado and the match ended in a 3–3 draw.
On March 10, Portland traveled to Los Angeles, California to face Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium. Diego Chara received two yellows, one in the 35th minute and the other in the 72nd minute which would lead to a red card. The lone scorer was Jeremy Ebobisse in the 29th minute, assisted by Diego Valeri. Portland would fall 1–4, making it their only and largest loss of the season so far.
On March 17, Portland traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio to play against FC Cincinnati in their first league game, and their MLS home opener, at Nippert Stadium. Portland without Diego Chara due to a red card last match, ended up getting shutout 0–3 while Larrys Mabiala would be carded twice, sending him off in the 70th minute.
On March 19, Portland midfielders Cristhian Paredes was called up for the Paraguay national team and Andy Polo was called up for the Peru national team. Additionally, forward Jeremy Ebobisse, defender Marco Farfan and midfielder Eryk Williamson have been named to the U.S. U-23 Men's National Team.
On March 30, Edgar "RCTID_Thiago" Guerrero competed in the 2019 eMLS Cup held at PAX East in Boston, Massachusetts. Guerrero defeated San Jose Earthquakes Alan "CaliSCG" Ortega with a 3–1 win in the knockout round but fell to FC Dallas' AlanAvi in the 2019 eMLS Cup Western Conference Semifinals with a score of 1–0.
On March 31, Portland traveled to Carson, California to play against LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. Larrys Mabiala was not available due to a red card last match. LA was awarded and successfully converted two penalties, both taken by Zlatan Ibrahimović. Jeremy Ebobisse was the lone scorer, assisted by Diego Valeri and David Guzmán. Portland ended up losing 2–1.
April On April 6, Portland traveled to San Jose, California to play San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium. Diego Valeri attempted to convert an awarded penalty but was unsuccessful from a save from goalkeeper, Daniel Vega. Portland's losing streak continues after a 0–3 defeat, placing them on both the bottom of the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield table.
On April 11, Portland revealed their 2019 Parley kit that will be used during the April 20 match against Columbus Crew SC.
On April 13, Portland traveled to Frisco, Texas to play FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. Portland was defeated 1–2 with the only goalscorer being Cristhian Paredes, assisted by Sebastián Blanco and Diego Chará.
On April 20, Portland traveled to Columbus, Ohio to play against former Portland head coach Caleb Porter and the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. After seven matches, Portland finally found their first win of the season with a final score of 3–1. The first goal was scored by Larrys Mabiala, assisted by Diego Valeri. The second goal was scored by Jeremy Ebobisse, assisted by Sebastián Blanco. The final goal was scored by Jorge Moreira, assisted by Sebastián Blanco and Cristhian Paredes.
On April 27, Portland traveled to Toronto, Ontario, Canada to play against Toronto FC at BMO Field. Portland was successful at defeated Toronto with a score of 2–1. The first goal was scored by Bill Tuiloma, assisted by Diego Valeri in the 22nd minute. The second goal scorer was Jeremy Ebobisse, assisted by Sebastián Blanco and Diego Valeri in the 70th minute.
May On May 2, Bill Tuiloma was awarded goal of the week for week 9.
On May 4, Portland traveled to Sandy, Utah to face Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. Portland defeated Real Salt Lake with a final score of 2–1. Goals were scored by Sebastián Blanco in the 34th minute and the final goal scored by Diego Valeri in the 68th minute. Portland's win streak continues to three matches. Valeri's goal made him the ninth player in MLS to reach 70 goals and 70 assists.