Portland vs Earthquakes

A three-game MLS homestand concludes on Friday for the Portland Timbers, who host the San Jose Earthquakes at Providence Park.

Over the weekend, the Timbers moved up to fourth in the Western Conference with a 2-1 triumph over St Louis City, while the Quakes are eighth, losing by that same score at St Louis in their previous match.

Match preview

It seems as though some lengthy home time is exactly what the Timbers needed to rejuvenate, with this team currently on their longest winning run of the year (two games).

While defensively at times it can be touch and go for Phil Neville’s side, they seem to be a lot sharper at the back in front of their fans, conceding a goal or fewer in seven of their nine MLS matches played at Providence Park in 2025.

They have collected at least a point in eight of their last nine league fixtures played in Portland and on Friday can win at least three in a row at home for the first time since June to July 2024 (four straight home wins).

In only one of their last six domestic affairs have they failed to collect any points, and only a point separates them from San Diego for second place, while they are six points below the Vancouver Whitecaps for first in the west.

After 17 matchdays the Timbers have collected 29 points, which is nine more than they had at this same stage of the 2024 MLS campaign.

Portland have never lost a home game versus San Jose, winning the last five matches against them at Providence Park across all competitions.

For better or for worse the Earthquakes are rarely short on excitement but unfortunately, it was for the latter the last time around.

Bruce Arena’s men equalised with eight minutes remaining only to lose it in second-half stoppage time, ending an eight-match unbeaten run across all competitions in the process.

San Jose have given up four goals in either first or second-half stoppage time this year, two in their defeat to St Louis the last time out.

After netting the fewest goals in the Western Conference in 2024, the Quakes have scored the most in the west so far this year (34) and have only been shut out in one one league game (a 0-0 draw with the New England Revolution).

Another away win on Friday would give them four in the 2025 campaign, equalling their combined totals from the previous two regular seasons.

While the Quakes have not beaten the Timbers at Providence Park, they have won the only two meetings against them in 2025, eliminating them from the US Open Cup last month 1-0 in extra-time.

Portland Timbers Major League Soccer form:

Portland Timbers form (all competitions):

San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer form:

San Jose Earthquakes form (all competitions):

Last Sunday, the Timbers were missing Jonathan Rodriguez due to a lower body issue, while Zac McGraw sat out with a sore back.

Also away were Finn Surman, Ariel Lassiter and Maxime Crepeau, all of whom were on international duty, but all could be available this weekend.

Antony and David Ayala found the back of the net in the second half versus St Louis, enabling them to come from behind and earn maximum points.

In their defeat to St Louis City, the Earthquakes were without Niko Tsakiris, Noel Buck and Bruno Wilson, who were all dealing with leg injuries.

A calf strain kept DeJuan Jones out of the lineup for that match, and leading goalscorer Cristian Arango sat out because of a muscle problem.

Josef Martinez briefly put his team on level terms, his seventh of the regular season, putting him second on the team behind Arango who has nine.

Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:

Pantemis; Mosquera, Zuparic, E. Miller, Fory; Paredes, Ayala; Moreno, Da Costa, Antony; Kelsy

San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:

Edwards; Floriani, Romney, Roberts; Lima, Kaye, Fernandez, Pellegrino; Espinoza, Martinez, Bouda

We say: Portland Timbers 3-2 San Jose Earthquakes

These are two aggressive sides that like to push the pace, and if it is a track meet like we anticipate, we trust the Timbers backline just a little more.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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