Portland vs Seattle – News and Probable Lineups

In their second encounter in just over three weeks, the Seattle Sounders will aim for vengeance as they head to Providence Park on Saturday to challenge the Portland Timbers.

Last weekend, the Timbers maintained their winning momentum, climbing to 10th place in the MLS Western Conference after securing a 2-1 victory against Real Salt Lake, trailing the Rave Green by three points, who slipped to eighth following a 1-0 defeat at the Philadelphia Union.

Match overview

A managerial switch during the World Cup pause appears to have arrived at a critical time for Portland.

Since the dismissal of Phil Neville in May, the team has remained undefeated, accumulating points in their last three league fixtures, two of which took place under current head coach Marti Cifuentes.

The former Leicester City manager is on the verge of achieving his first home victory as an MLS coach this weekend, following a 2-2 draw against Dallas in their previous league match at Providence Park.

Portland has managed to earn at least a point in five of their last six home matches during the regular season and could match their longest home winning streak of 2026 with a win this weekend (two).

They have conceded the opening goal in their last three encounters at Providence Park in this league but have found a way to secure points in the last two matches.

The Timbers have remained unbeaten in four of their last five home fixtures against Seattle, recording three victories in that span.

While the Timbers have been improving their form recently, Brian Schmetzer’s Sounders have been facing difficulties.

Seattle will be looking to halt a streak of five consecutive losses in this competition on Saturday, having managed to score only two goals during this period.

An additional defeat this weekend would establish a franchise record for their longest losing streak in MLS, exceeding the previous record of five set in 2015.

On the road this season, the Sounders have had a tough time finding the net, not scoring more than once in any single MLS away match this year.

A loss on Saturday would also break their record of away losses in this league from 2025 (three).

The Rave Green have earned points in two of their last three trips to Providence Park, with their most recent win in Portland occurring in 2024 (2-1).

Team News

The Timbers may be without Juan David Mosquera and Kevin Kelsy due to foot and ankle injuries this weekend, while Gage Guerra is a doubt with a muscle problem.

Felipe Mora scored twice in their comeback victory against RSL, marking his last appearance for the club.

Injuries to the hamstrings may keep Ryan Sailor and Kim Kee-hee sidelined for Seattle, while Cristian Roldan and Jordânia Morris are uncertain due to quad issues.

Nikola Petkovic and Pedro de la Vega are expected to miss another match due to knee injuries, and Alex Roldan is nursing a sore hip.

Portland Timbers probable starting XI:

Pantemis; Bye, Surman, Miller, Fory; Chara, Da Costa; Lassiter, Bassett, Velde; Antony

Seattle Sounders probable starting XI:

Thomas; Kossa-Rienzi, Hawkins, Lopez, Tolo; Dotson, Brunell; Arriola, Rusnak, Ferreira; Musoxi

The Timbers seem to be in sync at the moment, while the Sounders’ defence has been unusually shaky, leading us to anticipate another victory for Portland.