2021 Portland Timbers season

Portland Timbers
2021 season
PresidentMerritt Paulson
Head coachGiovanni Savarese
StadiumProvidence Park
Portland, Oregon
(Capacity: 25,218)
Major League SoccerConference: 4th
Overall: 5th
MLS Cup PlayoffsRunner-Up
U.S. Open CupCanceled
Cascadia Cup2nd
CONCACAF Champions LeagueQuarter-finals
Biggest winLeague/All:
POR 5–0 MAR (4/13, CCL)
POR 6–1 RSL (9/25, MLS)
Biggest defeatLeague/All:
SEA 6–2 POR (8/15)
Secondary colors
← 2020
2022 →
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

See also: 2020 Portland Timbers season

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

Main article: 2021 Major League Soccer season

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[a] 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
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. ^ 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[a]
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
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 highest-ranked U.S. based Division I club (based on 2021 MLS regular season record) not already qualified (USA4)[1]

Matches

April 18 1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1–0 Portland Timbers Sandy, Utah
19:00 PST Veselinović Yellow card 21'
Cavallini 49'
Baldisimo Yellow card 64'		 Report Župarić Yellow card 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', Yellow card 26'
Bravo Yellow card 39'
Paredes 73'		 Report Paredes 28' (o.g.)
Valentin Yellow card 36'
Urruti Yellow card 37'		 Stadium: Providence Park
Referee: Ismail Elfath
May 1 3 FC Dallas 4–1 Portland Timbers Frisco, Texas
17:00 PST Ricaurte 2', Yellow card 82'
Munjoma Yellow card 12'
Obrian 14'
Bressan 45+3'
Hollingshead Yellow card 78'
Sealy 85'		 Report Williamson 62'
Bodily Yellow card 69'
Valeri Yellow card 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 Yellow card 21'
Tuiloma 90'+4'		 Report Tolo Yellow card 17'
Ruidíaz 63' (pen.)
Montero 79'
Delem Yellow card 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 Yellow card 45+3' Report Y. Chará 5'
Tuiloma Yellow card 25'
Župarić Yellow card 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 Red card 44' Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: unknown
Referee: Alan Kelly
May 30 7 Philadelphia Union 3–0 Portland Timbers Chester, Pennsylvania
14:30 PST Mbaizo Yellow card 5'
Przybyłko 26'
Santos 31'
Elliott 63'		 Report Župarić Yellow card 62'
Bravo Yellow card 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 Yellow card 38'
Loría 45+1'
Zambrano Yellow card 87'		 Report Lindsey 28'
Fontàs Yellow card 69'
Espinoza Yellow card 74'
Ilie Yellow card 83'		 Stadium: Providence Park
Referee: Alan Kelly
June 23 9 Houston Dynamo FC 2–2 Portland Timbers Houston, Texas
17:30 PST Picault 15', Yellow card 59'
Pasher 33'		 Report Bonilla Yellow card 38'
Asprilla 50'
Mabiala Yellow card 72'
Blanco Yellow card 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 Yellow card 15'
D. Chará Yellow card 70'		 Report Hunou 2'
Dotson Yellow card 74'
Reynoso Yellow card 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 Yellow card 44'
Pochettino Yellow card 45+1'
Ring 77'
Jiménez 81'		 Report Tuiloma Yellow card 45+5'
Ebobisse 45+7'
Asprilla Yellow card 68'
Župarić Yellow card 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 Yellow card 5'
Župarić Yellow card 52'
Ebobisse 84'		 Report Quignon Yellow card 57'
Pomykal Yellow card 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 Yellow card 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', Yellow card 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 Yellow card 62'		 Report Ebobisse 29'
Van Rankin Yellow card 74'
D. Chará Yellow card 83'
Mabiala Yellow card 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 Yellow card 29'
Mora 45+6'
Williamson Yellow card 85'
D. Chará Yellow card 90+2' Yellow-red card 90+3'
Blanco Yellow card 90+6'
Mabiala Yellow card 90+9'		 Report J. López 24'
Salinas Yellow card 90+6'
Cardoso Yellow card 90+8'
M. López Yellow card 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 Yellow card 89'		 Report Glad Yellow card 6'
Menéndez Yellow card 13'
Rusnák 40'
Luiz Yellow card 45+1'
Herrera Yellow card 48'
Kreilach 80'
Chang Yellow card 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 Yellow card 54'
Zuparic Yellow card 66'
Paredes Yellow card 76'		 Report Montero 13', 29'
Ruidíaz 55', 72'
Paulo Yellow card 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 Yellow card 25', 90+1'
Pulido Yellow card 62'		 Report Mora 17'
D. Chará Yellow card 28'
Van Rankin Yellow card 43'
Bonilla Yellow card 77'
Valeri Yellow card 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 Yellow card 83'		 Report Asprilla 55'
Župarić Yellow card 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 Yellow card 44'
Blanco 58'
Valeri Yellow card 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 Yellow card 50' Report Y. Chará 15'
Mora 20' (pen.)
Bravo Yellow card 51'
Zambrano Yellow card 86'
Mabiala Yellow card 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 Yellow card 29'
Dájome Yellow card 58'		 Report Veselinović 66' (o.g.)
Mora Yellow card 90+3'		 Stadium: BC Place
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
September 15 24 Portland Timbers 2–2 Colorado Rapids Portland, Oregon
19:00 PST Blanco Yellow card 31', 90+1'
Tuiloma Yellow card 33' Yellow-red card 42'
Paredes Yellow card 67'
Mora 67'
Clark Yellow card 82'		 Report Trusty Yellow card 31'
Lewis 64'
Kaye Yellow card 66'
Barrios 86'
Abubakar Yellow card 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 Yellow card 24'
Blanco Yellow card 26'
Bravo Yellow card 42'
Fochive 68'
Valeri Yellow card 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 Yellow card 45+4', 48'
D. Chara 68'
Niezgoda 85'
Paredes 88'		 Report Kreilach 41'
Ruíz Yellow card 51'
Glad Yellow card 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 Yellow card 29'
Musovski 55'
Arango Yellow card 90+9'		 Report Paredes Yellow card 25'
Y. Chará 45'
Asprilla Yellow card 45+2', 59'
Valeri Yellow card 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 Yellow card 67'
Niezgoda 83'		 Report Figal Yellow card 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 Yellow card 38', 62'
Kljestan Yellow card 87', 90+2' (pen.)
Joveljić Yellow card 90+5'		 Report Bonilla Yellow card 44'
D. Chará Yellow card 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 Yellow card 90+2'		 Report Caicedo 63'
White 75', Yellow card 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 Yellow card 90+3'		 Report Asprilla Yellow card 68'
Fochive Yellow card 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 Yellow card 20'
D. Chará Yellow card 27', 34'
Asprilla 55', Yellow card 57'		 Report J. López Yellow card 19'
Remedi Yellow card 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 Yellow card 36'
Rusnák 88' (pen.)		 Report Blanco 17', 45'
Herrera 38' (o.g.)
Tuiloma Yellow card 82'
Bravo Yellow card 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 Yellow card 47' Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 23,127
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza

MLS Cup Playoffs

Main article: 2021 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 Yellow card 58' Yellow-red card 79'
Ruíz Yellow card 90+3'		 Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 25,218
Referee: Alan Kelly
MLS Cup
Main article: MLS Cup 2021
Portland Timbers1–1 (a.e.t.)New York City FC
Mora 90+4' Report Castellanos 41'
Penalties
 2–4
Attendance: 25,218

U.S. Open Cup

Main article: 2021 U.S. Open Cup

CONCACAF Champions League

Main article: 2021 CONCACAF Champions League

Round of 16

April 6 First leg Marathón Honduras 2–2 United States Portland Timbers San Pedro Sula, Honduras
3:00 PM PDT Castillo 39'
Ramírez 68'		 Report Mora 35'
Torres 59' (o.g.)
Williamson Yellow card 77'		 Stadium: Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano
Attendance: 0
Referee: César Ramos (Mexico)
April 13 Second leg Portland Timbers United States 5–0
(7–2 agg.)		 Honduras Marathón Portland
5:00 PM PDT Župarić Yellow card 8'
Y. Chará 19', 36', 79'
Valeri 66'
Bodily Yellow card 87'
Loría 89'		 Report López Yellow card 43' Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador)

Quarter-finals

April 28 First leg Portland Timbers United States 1–1 Mexico América Portland
7:30 PM PDT Mora Yellow card 19', 90+7' (pen.)
Župarić Yellow card 40'
Bravo Yellow card 52'
D. Chará Yellow card 87'		 Report Suárez Yellow card 33'
Martínez 45+1' (pen.), Yellow card 82'
Aquino Yellow card 61'
Fuentes Yellow card 70'
Sánchez Yellow card 71'		 Stadium: Providence Park
Referee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
May 5 Second leg América Mexico 3–1
(4–2 agg.)		 United States Portland Timbers Mexico City, Mexico
7:15 PM PDT Viñas 21', 59' (pen.)
Suárez 70'		 Report Valeri Yellow card 56', 64' (pen.)
Tuiloma Yellow card 60'
Mabiala Yellow card 75'
Van Rankin Yellow card 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 Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Apps Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Apps Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Apps Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card

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 Colombia Yimmi Chará (3 goals)
Top assists Mexico Josecarlos Van Rankin (2 assists)
Top shutouts United States 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

  1. ^ "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.