Portland has a disappointing 0-1 fall to Real Salt Lake while honoring 2015 champions

“We can’t shy away that we are going through a little bit of a dip. We’ve not had many dips this season, so there was always a time when we’re going to hit a little bit of a patch. The ball wouldn’t roll for us, the decisions weren’t going for us like tonight… and it’s just not going for us at this moment in time.”  A disappointed Phil Neville spoke with reporters after the Portland Timbers’ 0-1 loss to Real Salt Lake last night. 

Champions of the 2015 Portland Timbers team (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

A heat advisory was in effect at Providence Park for a celebratory night as the Timbers honored their 2015 championship team. Former players, including Diego Valeri and Jack Jewsbury, were welcomed back to the pitch during the half time break. 

Neville had to make a last-minute change right before kick off with news that David Da Costa would be unavailable due to a tight hamstring. Felipe Mora played behind Kevin Kelsy, rather than both playing up front. 

When asked about this switch and Mora’s performance, Phil said, “I actually think that when Pepe went off, we lost control of the game a little bit. I thought he was outstanding. We asked him to play a different role three minutes to go before the game…we asked him to play in that space that Da Costa plays so that we can build our patterns. And I thought he was outstanding.” 

JULY 16, 2025 – PORTLAND, OR: MLS Regular Season Match between Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake at Providence Park (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

The match started with both teams taking their time to find a pace and flow to their game with the heat. In the 9th minute, Jimer Fory made a fantastic run down the right side to get behind the defence and in position for a pass from Omir Fernández. They earned a corner kick for their efforts and Fory managed to get his head on the ball off of service by Santiago Moreno, but his header went over the goal. 

Portland earned a set piece in the 12th minute in a play that started with Mora commanding the midfield and getting a pass off to Fory, who was cut down in a bad challenge by Justen Glad. Glad went down after the play holding his ankle but recovered quickly. 

Moreno had two shots in the 16th that were both blocked by Brayan Vera. A right footed shot from the center of the box followed by a header. Santi returned the favor in the 25th minute when he blocked a shot by Diogo Gonçalves. 

Portland fighting for a header (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

Kevin Kelsy took a shot at goal in the 40th after Santi sent a ball between RSL defenders to him at the left post. His shot was blocked by RSL keeper Rafael Cabral.

The first yellow card of the match was given to RSL’s Vera for fouling Mora in the 45th. Fory made one last attempt in the 45+1 but his shot was high, and the half ended in a 0-0 draw.

RSL started off strong in the 2nd half with a shot by William Agada in the 47th that was saved by Maxime Crépeau.

Pablo Ruiz earned a 2nd yellow for Salt Lake after back-to-back fouls on Felipe Mora and Diego Chara in the 52nd minute

Portland made the first substitution in the 55th minute bringing on Ari Lassiter for Omir Fernández. Lassiter was in an arm cast and had just been cleared for physical contact earlier that day by the medical staff. 

Ariel Lassiter v Real Salt Lake (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

There was a moment in the 58th minute when Ari was roughed up by Noel Caliskan and went to ground on his way to the goal, but no penalty was called by head referee Alexis Da Silva. Phil Neville and the Timbers Army were audibly upset by the lack of a call.

Max made another falling catch save in the 61st when Diogo Gonçalves sent a shot in from just outside the box. Santi had a shot saved by a block by Vera in the 64th that led to an unfruitful series of corner kicks for Portland. 

RSL defender Bode Hildalgo earned the 3rd yellow card of the match for a foul on Moreno in the 67th minute followed two minutes later by the 1st yellow for Portland going to Mora for fouling Caliskan. 

Both teams made multiple substitutions during the break in play after the yellow. Gage Guerra came on for Mora and Eric Miller relieved Juan Mosquera for Portland. RSL brought on 3 fresh players.

Diogo Gonçalves had another shot on goal saved by Maxime Crépeau in the 76th minute. Luna shot on the deflection but was ruled offside. 

Portland earned a corner kick on the following play. Unfortunately, Eric Miller’s header off of Lassiter’s serve went high. 

Gonçalves continued to attack the goal for Salt Lake and in the 83rd minute he was rewarded for his persistence. Ariath Piol sent a pass from the center of the arch to Diogo on the right corner for the assist. 

Phil brought on Christian Paredes for David Ayala in the pause after the goal in the 86th minute. RSL made their final substitutions in the 90th and 90+2.

Eric Miller taking a shot Photo by Diego G Diaz).

Portland made a last push in the 7 minutes of stoppage time with two missed attempts. Eric Miller missed a shot in the 90+5 followed by a missed header by Paredes in the 90+7. 

The final call of the match was a yellow card to Rafael Cabral for poor sportsmanship after he had words with Alexis Da Silva. Da Silva blew his final whistle with Portland giving up all 3 points at home with a 0-1 loss.