Verdict: Portland Timbers win
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Luckster
Hoping to move within touching distance of top spot in the Western Conference standings, Portland will welcome San Jose to Providence Park in the early hours of Saturday.
Portland Timbers
Starting with the hosts, while Portland might have watched their US Open Cup adventure come to a frustrating end on May 21st as they suffered penalty shootout heartbreak against San Jose, the Timbers will be seeking some immediate revenge here. Knowing that they can move within touching distance of top spot in the Western Conference standings this weekend, Phil Neville’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Clinching consecutive 2-1 victories against St. Louis and Colorado, Portland have gained plenty of plaudits this season. In fact, Saturday’s hosts have lost just a pair of their previous 14 MLS showdowns – a run that stems all the way back to March 9th. Sat firmly in the driving seat to punch a play-off return this year, the Timbers have also continued to shine with their dominance on home soil.
Portland Timbers Team News
All away on international duties over the past fortnight, Portland will once again be without the trio of Maxime Crepeau, Ariel Lassiter and New Zealand youngster Finn Surman this weekend. Likewise, yet to make a single MLS appearance this season, Zac McGraw remains on the sidelines with a back injury.
Arriving from Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar ahead of the 2025 campaign, 20-year-old Kevin Kelsy will lead the line in Oregon. Finding the net against St. Louis last week and notching a second MLS strike of the season, David Ayala will partner Joao Ortiz in the middle of the park.
San Jose Earthquakes
As for the visitors, g off May with a 2-1 loss away at St. Louis last time out, San Jose are drastically seeking some kind of stability. Despite extending on their US Open Cup adventure last month as they edged past Portland, the Earthquakes have notched just a sole victory from any of their previous five MLS appearances. Collecting consecutive victories on just a single occasion since the start of March, Bruce Arena’s men should also be concerned by a nightmare record in Oregon. Falling to a 2-1 defeat when they last travelled to Portland back on February 2nd, San Jose have lost six of their previous seven trips to Providence Park. It should also be noted, Saturday’s guests have remarkably claimed just a sole win in Oregon since way back in 2004.
San Jose Earthquakes Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, San Jose will once again be without the likes of Cristian Arango, Bruno Wilson Valdez and one-time Southampton youngster Noel Buck. However, after featuring for Venezuela over the past fortnight, ex-Atalanta marksman Josef Martinez could be handed a full recall.
Former Los Angeles star Mark-Anthony Kaye will partner academy graduate Nick Fernandez in the middle of the park. Returning to Arena’s squad last week, Brazilian defender Rodrigues should get some more minutes under his belt this weekend.
Portland Timbers vs San Jose Earthquakes Key Factors to Consider
- When Portland and San Jose met for a US Open Cup showdown on May 21st, the Earthquakes collected a penalty shootout victory on home soil.
- However, San Jose have lost six of their previous seven trips to Oregon.
- Saturday’s guests have remarkably claimed just a sole victory in Portland since way back in 2004.
- Portland have lost just a pair of their previous 14 MLS showdowns – a run that stems all the way back to March 9th.
- Continuing on from last season, the Timbers have suffered just a single defeat on home soil since way back in October.
Conclusion
Watching their US Open Cup adventure come to an end last month at the hands of San Jose, Portland will be seeking some immediate revenge here. Enjoying what has been a real MLS flurry since opening up the 2025 campaign, Saturday’s hosts have gained a reputation for their success in Oregon. Mustering 10 points from their previous four MLS showdowns at Providence Park, they have also suffered just a sole defeat in front of their own ers since October, we are backing a home victory this weekend.
Verdict: Portland Timbers win
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Luckster
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