A defensive gem that uplifted the Timbers with a big win on the road

JULY 19, 2025 – PORTLAND, OR: MLS Regular Season Match between Portland Timbers and Minnesota United at Providence Park (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

LAFC 0-1 Portland Timbers

PORTLAND, OR–A team desperate for reinforcements and with none giving them a chance against LAFC at BMO Field, the Portland Timbers came here as underdogs and in the end left with a valuable win playing on the road.

As a team riding on a three-game losing streak and looking forward to news about upcoming reinforcements, the Portland Timbers are looking for that playmaker who can make a world of difference in their forthcoming games.

With one of the most coveted lineups and a striker in Denis Bouanga, in midweek, manager Neville stated his admiration for this club as one of the most reinforced and complete in all of Major League Soccer.

Anyway, it was a lone goal by Cristhian Paredes in the 45^th minute that sealed the win and was enough for the Portland Timbers to emerge victorious on the road against a team that has been too hard to beat for the Rose City team in the past.

Still, a defensive gem for the backfield of the Portland Timbers was enough to uplift them to a 1-0 win away, giving this team a reason to get back into contention as the team continues its march towards the always coveted postseason.

Defense wins games as this team is very alive and kicking and looking for a favorable spot in the playoffs, and make a decorous run in the postseason.

As manager Phil Neville sent a 5-4-1 formation, the man is looking at any cost to deliver wins, and with Finn Surman, Jimer Jory, Kamal Miller, Juan Mosquera, and Ian Smith consolidating themselves as an indisputable starters.

So far, the Timbers are tied in fourth place with the Seattle Sounders.