With Major League Soccer (MLS) starting soon, the Portland Timbers prepare themselves for a new season with new signings and pre-season games.

The Timbers played six pre-season games, obtaining a record of 3—1—2, with wins coming against Orange County SC, San Jose Earthquakes, and new MLS franchise San Diego Football Club (FC). The draw occurred against Chicago Fire and the losses against Los Angeles FC and Charlotte FC.

Over the winter, the Timbers have signed some notable players. Portuguese midfielder David Da Costa for $7 million from French club RC Lens. Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsey was brought in from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk for $2.5 million. Defensive midfielder Joao Ortiz from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle for $2.2 million. 

New Zealand center back, Finn Surman was brought in to help strengthen the defense for $500 thousand from Australian club Wellington Phoenix FC, and Costa Rican forward Ariel Lassiter from MLS franchise Chicago Fire on a free transfer.

Despite all the colorful new signings, the Timbers had their fair share of losses, including Marvin Loría to Deportivo Saprissa on a free transfer, Dairon Asprilla to Atlético Nacional for an undisclosed price, Eryk Williamson to Charlotte FC for $97 thousand, and what is seen as their biggest loss, Evander to FC Cincinnati for a Timbers club record of $12 million.

For the past couple of years, it seemed like the Timbers were making moves to help improve the team so they could start competing for a playoff spot. This continues to be evident, as last season the team made the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season where they placed fourth.

Last season, the front three of Evander, Jonathan Rodriguez, and Felipe Mora, became the first trio in MLS history to score 14 goals each. New signing Rodriguez accumulated 16 goals and five assists, while Mora scored 14 and two assists. Now with Evander traded away, players like Antony or Santiago Moreno could fill in the role Evander performed last year.

The signing of Maxime Crepéau was a great addition to the team as, in the 2024 season, he had lots of crucial saves as keeper, allowing for dominant wins against teams like LA Galaxy and Nashville SC. The team also have backup James Pantemis, who managed five clean sheets in 15 appearances.

Defense is one of the Timbers strongest areas, with 11 defenders to their disposal. Although their only natural full-backs are Claudio Bravo and Juan David Mosquera, other players such as Kamal Miller and Eric Miller can also be shifted to those positions. The center back duo of Miguel Araujo and Dario Zuparic was vital to the Timbers big wins last season with Zac McGraw coming in off the bench or filling in for the other two.

Although the Timbers don’t have many midfielders, the ones they have control it. Argentinian David Ayala and Paraguayan Cristhian Paredes both play with great control and composure, especially when paired together with Colombian captain, Diego Chara, who at 38 years old is coming back for another year with the Timbers.

The attack is one of the more diverse options of this team. Last season, they registered 63 goals in the Western Conference, tied for second most in the conference. They have the partnership of Mora and Rodriguez who collectively scored 30 goals in the season prior. There’s also Antony, who scored six and assisted four.

Despite all the new changes to the squad and the overall depth, the Timbers will have a new look and style on the pitch, with their first match being at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Feb. 23, at 1:00 p.m.