2022 Schedule
- First game/Home opener: Feb. 26 - 7:30 pm ET vs. New England Revolution
- Full schedule
- Download the schedule
- Buy the 2022 jersey
Armchair Analyst's Breakdown
- Strength: A veteran core that’s made a final in two straight years, and three of the past four.
- Weakness: That core is OLD, and if Blanco’s knee is as bad as it seems, it doesn’t bode well for their ability to create high-level chances via anything but the counter.
Key Departures
- Diego Valeri: A Portland Timbers icon and MLS legend, Diego Valeri penned a heartfelt goodbye to his second home with a transfer back to Lanus in his native Argentina. He's truly among the best to have ever done it and a pioneer. Further good news? It’s a temporary goodbye. Valeri will return to the Timbers as a club ambassador once his playing days are over.
- Steve Clark: Starting goalkeeper Steve Clark left in free agency for Houston Dynamo FC, after a successful stint with Portland. Clark twice started MLS Cup with the club. The departure creates a chance for Aljaz Ivacic to start, though David Bingham was also signed and will compete for minutes.
Key Acquisitions
- David Ayala: David Ayala is a highly-rated Argentine youth international midfielder, acquired from Estudiantes this offseason and added via the U22 Initiative. The 19-year-old can play as a defensive midfielder or in a box-to-box role, meaning he’s a good fit next to either Diego Chara or Eryk Williamson. He should have the chance to earn minutes in 2022 under manager Giovanni Savarese.
- Portland didn’t bring in many external additions, but crucially sealed a return for DP and talisman Sebastian Blanco. They also reached a new loan agreement for starting right back Josecarlos Van Rankin.
- Full roster
Projected Starting XI
Predictions
- Charles Boehm: 7th in West
- Tom Bogert: 5th in West
- Matt Doyle: 9th in West
- David Gass: 9th in West
- Sam Jones: 6th in West
- Joe Lowery: 8th in West
- Greg Seltzer: 4th in West
- Andrew Wiebe: 6th in West