Portland Timbers conclude their three-game homestand in Major League Soccer this Friday with a Western Conference clash against San Jose Earthquakes at Providence Park. Fresh off a 2-1 win over St Louis City, the Timbers sit fourth in the standings, while San Jose dropped to eighth after falling by the same scoreline to the same opponent.
This fixture brings together two of the division’s most attacking sides, each aiming to cement their playoff positions ahead of the summer stretch.
Timbers Gaining Momentum at Home
After an inconsistent start, Portland are now enjoying their best spell of the campaign with back-to-back wins — a feat they hadn’t achieved this year until now. Phil Neville’s side has shown marked defensive improvement at home, where they’ve conceded one or fewer in seven of nine games this season.
Unbeaten in eight of their last nine league matches at Providence Park, the Timbers are aiming to string together three straight home victories for the first time in over a year. With 29 points from 17 matchdays, they’ve already exceeded their 2024 total at the same stage by nine. Historically, they’ve also dominated this fixture at home, winning the last five meetings with San Jose in all competitions.
San Jose Seeking a Response
The Earthquakes had been unbeaten in eight before their dramatic late defeat to St Louis, where a stoppage-time goal shattered their momentum. It was the fourth time this season that San Jose have conceded in added time — a concerning trend for Bruce Arena’s men.
Despite that, they remain a potent force in attack. After finishing as the lowest scorers in the West in 2024, the Quakes now lead the conference in goals with 34. They’ve been shut out just once in league play and are chasing a fourth road win of the season — which would equal their combined away tally from the previous two years.
They’ll also draw confidence from their recent success over Portland, having already beaten them twice in 2025, including a 1-0 extra-time victory in the US Open Cup.
Form Guide
Portland Timbers enter this game on a two-match MLS winning streak, having previously drawn twice and lost twice. Across all competitions, they’ve secured two wins, two draws, and two losses from their last six outings. Home form has been crucial to their revival, particularly their tightened backline.
San Jose Earthquakes, meanwhile, saw their eight-match unbeaten run snapped last week. They’ve recorded two wins, three draws, and a loss in their last six league games, with an identical record in all competitions. Their attack remains their biggest weapon, with consistent scoring even amid injury concerns.
Team News
Portland were without Jonathan Rodriguez (lower body injury) and Zac McGraw (back) in their recent win. The trio of Finn Surman, Ariel Lassiter, and Maxime Crepeau also missed out due to international duty but could return. Antony and David Ayala were the heroes last weekend, scoring second-half goals to overturn a 1-0 deficit.
For San Jose, injuries continue to be a challenge. Niko Tsakiris, Noel Buck, Bruno Wilson, and DeJuan Jones all missed the last game, while top scorer Cristian Arango was sidelined with a muscle issue. Josef Martinez scored his seventh of the season in Arango’s absence and will likely lead the line again.
Predicted Lineups
Portland Timbers:
Pantemis; Mosquera, Zuparic, E. Miller, Fory; Paredes, Ayala; Moreno, Da Costa, Antony; Kelsy
San Jose Earthquakes:
Edwards; Floriani, Romney, Roberts; Lima, Kaye, Fernandez, Pellegrino; Espinoza, Martinez, Bouda
Kickoff:
Friday, June 14 | 04:30 WAT | Providence Park, Portland
Prediction: Portland Timbers 3-2 San Jose Earthquakes
Both teams prefer an open, attacking style and are capable of scoring in bunches. While San Jose have found joy in recent meetings, Portland’s home form and improved defense give them the edge in what should be a high-scoring encounter.