Do you know the way to San Jose? The Timbers Do!

APRIL 19, 2025 – PORTLAND, OR: MLS Regular season match between the Portland Timbers vs LAFC at Providence Park (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

(2) Portland Timbers (5,2,3, 18 points) vs (11) San Jose Earthquakes (3,6,1, 10 points)

Saturday, May 3^rd, 2025, KO 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST

PayPal Park, San Jose, California

Portland Timbers Overview

With seven straight wins, the Portland Timbers are on a roll. The young starting eleven are performing impressively, and their remarkable ability to play well on the road is among the highlights.

Who else but manager Phil Neville is a truly happy man? He seems to have overcome the past demons that contributed to his difficulties with previous teams. Currently, he appears very mature and confident in control of his position.

Antony has emerged as the leading assist provider for both the team and the league, sharing this honor with Kevin Kelsy. He has also increased his lead by scoring four goals so far this season. Santiago Moreno and the rest of the team are performing exceptionally well, especially in away games.

Don’t overlook the defensive backfield, as the new and improved defense is performing wonders. Finn Surman, Jamal Miller, Juan Mosquera, and Jimer Fory have become the talk of the backfield in Major League Soccer.

As the defensive backfield performs wonders alongside Ayala and Chara, Da Costa and Santiago Moreno also contribute significantly to the midfield attack, showcasing excellent performance both at home and on the road.

The Portland Timbers are legitimate contenders; just ask their manager, Phil Neville!

Photo Credit: San Jose Earthquakes F.C.

San Jose Earthquakes Overview

This is not the situation that manager Bruce Arena envisioned when he took over the Earthquakes. With promises of turning the club around, the Goonies currently find themselves in eleventh place, below the postseason spots.

Despite the arrival of Chicho Arango and Josef Martinez, the team is still not meeting expectations. Many experts predicted before the season started that the Quakes would be strong contenders for the championship, yet they have underperformed and failed to meet that hype.

The buildup highlights many of its weak points but is still not performing as expected, especially after the number of arrivals that the Quakes front office has tried to bring to Silicon Valley.

I conclude that Bruce Arena needs to build confidence in his players, as he is accustomed to doing. Ultimately, results speak louder than words, and this team must perform well for overall success by the end of the campaign.

Forecast

Can the Timbers continue their winning streak on the road?