Earthquake in Portland: Timbers 3-1 fall unleashes fans’ wrath on coach Phil Neville

The Portland Timbers had another bad night at home in their final MLS regular-season match ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The evening was promising: a holiday weekend, amazing weather, and the unveiling of the commemorative 2026 international jerseys, personalizing each player’s nationality in one of the world’s most diverse leagues. The Timbers supporters group displayed a banner wishing good luck to the local international player heading to the world’s biggest football tournament. “From Cascadia to the World,” read the banner for Timbers Finn Surman, who will represent New Zealand in Group G.

The evening turned south quickly when Preston Judd opened the scoring for the visitors just two minutes in. He doubled the lead in the 12th minute, and after Anthony gave the locals hope with a goal in the 18th, Munie extended San José’s advantage in the 24th. All goals came before halftime; the rest of the match was a tale of Portland falling short, missing clear chances, and, with goalkeeper James Partemis again, the reason the result didn’t end as a total disaster for Portland.

The closing minutes brought the ire of the fans, who voiced their frustration as the Timbers looked incapable of reversing the result and directed their anger at head coach Phil Neville. The entire North End chanted in unison, “Fire Phil” and “Phil out.” Neville acknowledged their reaction at the press conference, understanding their anger after a bad performance that unleashed a wave of speculation about his future. The World Cup break couldn’t have come fast enough in Portland.

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