The Portland Timbers have reportedly identified their next head coach after parting ways with Gio Savarese in August. According to The Athletic’s Tom Bogert and Paul Tenorio, the Timbers are in advanced talks with former Inter Miami coach Phil Neville, and he’s the frontrunner for the job.

While there is still no official agreement, there is a belief that both sides are motivated to sort out the finer details and get the negotiations over the finishing line.

 If Neville ends up taking the job, he will be joined by Jason Kreis, who was his assistant in Miami. His coaching staff should also include Miles Joseph, who served as Timber’s interim head coach after Savarese’s departure.

Timbers made five consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs appearances under Savarese between 2017 and 2021. They made it to the finals two times but finished runners-up on both occasions. However, Portland struggled to remain competitive in the past two seasons, prompting the ownership to make a coaching change.

Phil Neville started his coaching career with England’s Under-21s in 2012, following a successful playing career with Manchester United and Everton. He was later part of Davis Moyes’ coaching staff with Man United and an assistant with La Liga side Valencia before being named head coach of England women’s national team.

Neville spent three years with England Women, overseeing a 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign and winning the SheBelieves Cup. He stepped down from his position in 2021 to take a job with Inter Miami.

In Miami, Neville struggled to meet high expectations. He made the playoffs in his second season in charge but didn’t make it past the first round. He was fired in June following a disastrous start of the 2023 campaign that saw Inter sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

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The Portland Timbers fired their head coach Giovanni Savarese. The move came on Monday night, shortly after Timbers suffered an embarrassing 0-5 loss to the Houston Dynamo.

The Timbers announced they will turn to assistant Miles Joseph to guide the team on an interim basis until the rest of the 2023 campaign before conducting a search for Savarese’s permanent replacement.

The Timbers have struggled so far in the 2023 MLS season, managing only six wins in their 24 games. They currently find themselves at No. 12 in Western Conference with 26 points and are in danger of missing out on the MLS Cup playoffs for the second straight year.

Giovanni Savarese took over the Timbers in 2017 and gave the soccer fans in Portland quite a lot of good moments. The highlight came in 2021 when he led the team to an MLS Cup finals appearance, which they lost to New York City FC on penalties. Savarese, who was a Venezuelan international during his playing career, also coached New York Cosmos in North American Soccer League.

“Gio has been an exceptional coach for the Timbers and a joy to work with,” said Timbers’ owner Merritt Paulson said in a statement. “He has achieved some fabulous results during his tenure with the club, including two MLS Cup appearances and the MLS is Back championship. I want to thank Gio for all that he has given us. He will be missed.”

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Portland Timbers got an important 1-2 away win against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday night, ending their concerning streak of three games without a win. However, the victory came with a steep price as their star midfielder suffered a potentially serious knee injury.

Blanco got injured less than two minutes after the opening whistle after an uncomfortable collision with Sounders’ midfielder Joao Paulo. The 32-year-old Argentinian couldn’t leave the field on his own and had to be taken off with stretchers.

Speaking with reporters after the game, Timbers’ coach Giovanni Savarese said that the team still doesn’t know the extent of Blanco’s injury.

“We will see tomorrow after we evaluate every possibility,” Savarese explained. “We will understand a lot more about what happened.”

Sebastian Blanco has been Portland’s best player this season, contributing with four goals and six assists in thirteen games. He was especially impressive during MLS is Back Tournament, leading the Timbers’ to the trophy while winning the MVP honors in the process.

Despite being without Blanco for the major part of the match, Timbers managed to play a great match and get the win against Seattle with goals from Eryk Williamson and Felipe Mora. Kelvin Leerdam scored for the Sounders.

“Seba is a very important player for us, and being able to continue was difficult, but the team showed once again that when we put our minds into working together when we stay disciplined and execute the plan in our style of play, we can achieve great things,” Savarese added.

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Portland Timbers is the first team to advance to the MLS is Back Tournament Finals. Timbers secure their spot by beating Philadelphia Union 1-2 on Wednesday night.

Despite Philly being the slight favorite entering the game, the pressure seemed too much for the young Union squad. On the other hand, the experienced Portland team held their ground and looked like a better team despite sacrificing possession for the majority of the game.

Timbers opened the scoring early on thanks to forward Jeremy Ebobisse, who converted a beautiful cross by Diego Valeri in the 13th minute.

Portland then increased their league in 70th minute via veteran Sebastian Blanco, who scored after a header after a corner deflection. 

Union had chances of their own and was close to equalize late in the first half via a penalty kick. Unfortunately for Philly, Sergio Santos sent the ball over the crossbar. Andrew Wooten did manage to score in 85th minute to give an impression of a thrilling finish, but that was about it.

Timbers now await the winner of the second semifinals matchup between Orlando City and Minnesota United. MLS is Back Finals are scheduled for August 11th. 

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Diego Valeri won’t be leaving Portland Timbers after all. The team announced on Monday that they had reached a contract agreement with Valeri that will keep Argentinian midfielder with the organization for years to come.  The deal was made using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).

There was a lot of speculation about Valeri’s future in recent months, considering he was out of contract following the end of the 2019 season. While it was believed that the 33-year-old considered playing for another MLS team or moving abroad, Timbers made a push to keep him in Portland. The two sides had extensive negotiations in the past weeks and managed to work out a deal.

“Diego is a Timbers legend and we couldn’t be happier that he and his family will remain in the Rose City,” said Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson. “Not only has Diego been a leader in MLS over his career, he has become a local icon who is tremendously important to the club, the fans and the City of Portland. We look forward to raising another Cup with him.”

Valeri had another great season with Timbers in 2019, playing 31 games and contributing with eight goals and 16 assists.  

“I am happy to extend my contract with the Portland Timbers,” – said Valeri after inking the deal. “I would like to thank all the people involved to make it happen as I always expected. I have a special mention for [my wife] Florencia, [my daughter] Connie, and our fans who have warmly supported me throughout the years. It’s an immense honor to play for them.”

Diego Valeri joined Portland Timbers in 2013 and has since played more than 230 games with the team in all competitions. He scored 82 goals and dished 88 assists in MLS in the process. Valeri helped Timbers win the MLS cup in 2015 and has an MLS MVP award from 2017.

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Portland Timbers will be able to count on their key midfielder Sebastian Blanco for years to come. Timbers announced on Tuesday that they have signed Blanco to a multi-year extension.

The 31-year-old Argentinian will remain Designated Player according to his new deal.

Blanco secured a new contract with another productive season in 2019, in which he helped Timbers to the sixth spot in Western Conference. He finished the regular season with six goals and 11 assists while dishing another assist in MLS Cup playoffs.

Since joining Portland in 2017, Sebastian Blanco played a total of 108 games in all competitions and contributed with 29 goals and 32 assists. He especially played a crucial role in the team’s road to MLS Cup final in 2018 when he earned Timbers’ Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year honors.

Before coming to the United States, Blanco spent the majority of his professional career in his native Argentina, where he played with Lanús and San Lorenzo. He also played in Europe, most notably with Premier League side West Bromwich Albion.

Blanco also made two appearances for Argentina’s senior team, managing to score one goal.

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Portland Timbers spent the better part of the season searching for someone to fill the Designated Player spot on their roster. In recent weeks it seemed that could be Tigres and Chile international forward Eduardo Vargas, but things took dramatic turn in the last couple of days.

A source from the Timbers organization recently told ESPN that the club is ready to give up on attempts to acquire Vargas.

“We’re moving on to other targets,” – said the source.

Portland Timbers reportedly offered Tigres around $8.5 million plus incentives for Eduardo Vargas, but Mexican club rejected this thinking they can get more for the 29-year-old. Since Timbers is unwilling to part with more money, the only way that the deal gets done is that Tigres change their mind which remains unlikely at the moment.

Eduardo Vargas spent the early part of his career in native Chile before making a move to Seria A giants Napoli in 2012. Failing to establish himself in Italy, played with several other European clubs including Queens Park Rangers and 1899 Hoffenheim. In 2017, Vargas joined Tigres and has since played 67 games for the club while scoring 17 goals.

Vargas is also a member of Chile national football team since 2009. He played 82 games for the senior team and scored 35 goals in the process.

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Veteran defender Liam Ridgewell is putting an end to his stint with Portland Timbers. Ridgewell, who spent the last five MLS seasons with the franchise, mutually agreed to part ways with Timbers, the team has announced.

“Liam is quite simply one of the most important and influential signings in Timbers history,” – said Timbers owner Merritt Paulson in a statement. “Not only has he been a top defender in MLS since his arrival but he is a winner who greatly contributed to our locker room culture. I thank Liam and will miss him.”

Liam Ridgewell joined the Timbers in 2014 and has since played 97 games for the team while scoring six goals. He has two MLS All-Star selections while also helping the team to win the MLS Cup in 2015.

“Liam is a high-quality player and professional that played a critical role in our run to MLS Cup this past season,” – added head coach of the Timbers Giovanni Savarese. “It was a great pleasure to work with a player that has been extremely impactful to the success of the Portland Timbers organization. I wish him great success in all of his future pursuits.”

Ridgewell also released a statement following his exit, thanking Portland’s fans for the support and saying he is looking forward to the next chapter in his career.

“It has been an absolute pleasure playing in Portland for the past five seasons, and I am grateful to the fans and everyone involved for the opportunity,” – said Ridgewell. “I am very proud of what we achieved together, and at the same time I am very excited about what the future holds for me as I move on to the next chapter in my career.”

Liam Ridgewell spent the better part of his professional career in England, where he played for various teams including Aston Villa, Birmingham, and WBA among others. 

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The Portland Timbers beat Kansas City 3-2 on Thursday to win the Western Conference and book a place in the MLS Cup on Dec. 8. The team will face Atlanta United in their second MLS Cup appearance in four seasons.

Kansas City opened the scoresheet in the 20^th minute after Diego Rubio passed the ball through Zarek Valentin’s legs for a superb first-half goal. The Timbers attempted to equalize in the 40^th minute but Andy Polo’s shot was blocked by Sporting’s goalkeeper.

In the second half, Sebastian Blanco netted a beautiful goal with a shot from outside the box to level the game on in the 52^nd minute. With that goal, Portland only required to hold defense and could have won the competition based on the away goal rule.

Luckily for their fans, the Timbers sought a clear win, scoring in the 81^st and the 90^th + 9 minutes through goals by Gerso Fernandes and Diego Valeri. Coach Giovanni Savares credited his team for the hard work and said the team placed the team where it wanted to be.

“It’s a credit to a group that worked hard, a group that believed all along that we could achieve something great,” the coach said. “Now, this achievement puts us where we want to be, in the final.”

The Timbers will face title favorites Atlanta United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December eight.

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The Portland Timbers have moved from midfielder Darlington Nagbe, trading him to Atlanta United in exchange for $1.65 million in allocation money as reported by ESPN. The trade also includes defender Gbenga Arokoyo going to United while the Timbers will receive 2018 international spot.

“Thank you, Portland, and everyone that supported my family and me the past seven years,” – said Nagbe in a statement.

Nagbe, who is a member of United States men’s national soccer team since 2015, was one of Atlanta’s top targets in the offseason.

“He is a perfect fit for our style of play as he has a dynamic ability to dribble out of trouble, maintain possession and make passes that bring additional players into the game,” – said Atlanta vice president and technical director, Carlos Bocanegra.

The 27-year-old played college soccer at the University of Akron and also spent time with Cleveland Internationals in the USL Premier Development League. With the Internationals he played 18 games, scoring on seven occasions. After the Timbers selected Nagbe in the second round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, he went on to star in 214 games for the team, scoring 27 goals. Although Darlington Nagbe was born in Liberia, he was eligible for the USMNT after receiving his U.S. green card in 2012. He made his debut on November 13, 2015, and went on to play 24 games for the national team, scoring one goal in the process.

Atlanta United began playing in 2017 season, joining as an expansion franchise and ending with 15-9-10. The team reached the knockout round of the playoffs but was eliminated by the Columbus Crew SC. Portland Timbers, on the other hand, were eliminated by the Houston Dynamo in the conference semifinals after finishing first in the Western Conference.

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The Portland Timbers have reportedly identified their next head coach after parting ways with Gio Savarese in August. According to The Athletic’s Tom Bogert and Paul Tenorio, the Timbers are in advanced talks with former Inter Miami coach Phil Neville, and he’s the frontrunner for the job.

While there is still no official agreement, there is a belief that both sides are motivated to sort out the finer details and get the negotiations over the finishing line.

 If Neville ends up taking the job, he will be joined by Jason Kreis, who was his assistant in Miami. His coaching staff should also include Miles Joseph, who served as Timber’s interim head coach after Savarese’s departure.

Timbers made five consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs appearances under Savarese between 2017 and 2021. They made it to the finals two times but finished runners-up on both occasions. However, Portland struggled to remain competitive in the past two seasons, prompting the ownership to make a coaching change.

Phil Neville started his coaching career with England’s Under-21s in 2012, following a successful playing career with Manchester United and Everton. He was later part of Davis Moyes’ coaching staff with Man United and an assistant with La Liga side Valencia before being named head coach of England women’s national team.

Neville spent three years with England Women, overseeing a 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign and winning the SheBelieves Cup. He stepped down from his position in 2021 to take a job with Inter Miami.

In Miami, Neville struggled to meet high expectations. He made the playoffs in his second season in charge but didn’t make it past the first round. He was fired in June following a disastrous start of the 2023 campaign that saw Inter sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

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The Portland Timbers fired their head coach Giovanni Savarese. The move came on Monday night, shortly after Timbers suffered an embarrassing 0-5 loss to the Houston Dynamo.

The Timbers announced they will turn to assistant Miles Joseph to guide the team on an interim basis until the rest of the 2023 campaign before conducting a search for Savarese’s permanent replacement.

The Timbers have struggled so far in the 2023 MLS season, managing only six wins in their 24 games. They currently find themselves at No. 12 in Western Conference with 26 points and are in danger of missing out on the MLS Cup playoffs for the second straight year.

Giovanni Savarese took over the Timbers in 2017 and gave the soccer fans in Portland quite a lot of good moments. The highlight came in 2021 when he led the team to an MLS Cup finals appearance, which they lost to New York City FC on penalties. Savarese, who was a Venezuelan international during his playing career, also coached New York Cosmos in North American Soccer League.

“Gio has been an exceptional coach for the Timbers and a joy to work with,” said Timbers’ owner Merritt Paulson said in a statement. “He has achieved some fabulous results during his tenure with the club, including two MLS Cup appearances and the MLS is Back championship. I want to thank Gio for all that he has given us. He will be missed.”

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Portland Timbers got an important 1-2 away win against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday night, ending their concerning streak of three games without a win. However, the victory came with a steep price as their star midfielder suffered a potentially serious knee injury.

Blanco got injured less than two minutes after the opening whistle after an uncomfortable collision with Sounders’ midfielder Joao Paulo. The 32-year-old Argentinian couldn’t leave the field on his own and had to be taken off with stretchers.

Speaking with reporters after the game, Timbers’ coach Giovanni Savarese said that the team still doesn’t know the extent of Blanco’s injury.

“We will see tomorrow after we evaluate every possibility,” Savarese explained. “We will understand a lot more about what happened.”

Sebastian Blanco has been Portland’s best player this season, contributing with four goals and six assists in thirteen games. He was especially impressive during MLS is Back Tournament, leading the Timbers’ to the trophy while winning the MVP honors in the process.

Despite being without Blanco for the major part of the match, Timbers managed to play a great match and get the win against Seattle with goals from Eryk Williamson and Felipe Mora. Kelvin Leerdam scored for the Sounders.

“Seba is a very important player for us, and being able to continue was difficult, but the team showed once again that when we put our minds into working together when we stay disciplined and execute the plan in our style of play, we can achieve great things,” Savarese added.

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Portland Timbers is the first team to advance to the MLS is Back Tournament Finals. Timbers secure their spot by beating Philadelphia Union 1-2 on Wednesday night.

Despite Philly being the slight favorite entering the game, the pressure seemed too much for the young Union squad. On the other hand, the experienced Portland team held their ground and looked like a better team despite sacrificing possession for the majority of the game.

Timbers opened the scoring early on thanks to forward Jeremy Ebobisse, who converted a beautiful cross by Diego Valeri in the 13th minute.

Portland then increased their league in 70th minute via veteran Sebastian Blanco, who scored after a header after a corner deflection. 

Union had chances of their own and was close to equalize late in the first half via a penalty kick. Unfortunately for Philly, Sergio Santos sent the ball over the crossbar. Andrew Wooten did manage to score in 85th minute to give an impression of a thrilling finish, but that was about it.

Timbers now await the winner of the second semifinals matchup between Orlando City and Minnesota United. MLS is Back Finals are scheduled for August 11th. 

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Diego Valeri won’t be leaving Portland Timbers after all. The team announced on Monday that they had reached a contract agreement with Valeri that will keep Argentinian midfielder with the organization for years to come.  The deal was made using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).

There was a lot of speculation about Valeri’s future in recent months, considering he was out of contract following the end of the 2019 season. While it was believed that the 33-year-old considered playing for another MLS team or moving abroad, Timbers made a push to keep him in Portland. The two sides had extensive negotiations in the past weeks and managed to work out a deal.

“Diego is a Timbers legend and we couldn’t be happier that he and his family will remain in the Rose City,” said Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson. “Not only has Diego been a leader in MLS over his career, he has become a local icon who is tremendously important to the club, the fans and the City of Portland. We look forward to raising another Cup with him.”

Valeri had another great season with Timbers in 2019, playing 31 games and contributing with eight goals and 16 assists.  

“I am happy to extend my contract with the Portland Timbers,” – said Valeri after inking the deal. “I would like to thank all the people involved to make it happen as I always expected. I have a special mention for [my wife] Florencia, [my daughter] Connie, and our fans who have warmly supported me throughout the years. It’s an immense honor to play for them.”

Diego Valeri joined Portland Timbers in 2013 and has since played more than 230 games with the team in all competitions. He scored 82 goals and dished 88 assists in MLS in the process. Valeri helped Timbers win the MLS cup in 2015 and has an MLS MVP award from 2017.

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Portland Timbers will be able to count on their key midfielder Sebastian Blanco for years to come. Timbers announced on Tuesday that they have signed Blanco to a multi-year extension.

The 31-year-old Argentinian will remain Designated Player according to his new deal.

Blanco secured a new contract with another productive season in 2019, in which he helped Timbers to the sixth spot in Western Conference. He finished the regular season with six goals and 11 assists while dishing another assist in MLS Cup playoffs.

Since joining Portland in 2017, Sebastian Blanco played a total of 108 games in all competitions and contributed with 29 goals and 32 assists. He especially played a crucial role in the team’s road to MLS Cup final in 2018 when he earned Timbers’ Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year honors.

Before coming to the United States, Blanco spent the majority of his professional career in his native Argentina, where he played with Lanús and San Lorenzo. He also played in Europe, most notably with Premier League side West Bromwich Albion.

Blanco also made two appearances for Argentina’s senior team, managing to score one goal.

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Portland Timbers spent the better part of the season searching for someone to fill the Designated Player spot on their roster. In recent weeks it seemed that could be Tigres and Chile international forward Eduardo Vargas, but things took dramatic turn in the last couple of days.

A source from the Timbers organization recently told ESPN that the club is ready to give up on attempts to acquire Vargas.

“We’re moving on to other targets,” – said the source.

Portland Timbers reportedly offered Tigres around $8.5 million plus incentives for Eduardo Vargas, but Mexican club rejected this thinking they can get more for the 29-year-old. Since Timbers is unwilling to part with more money, the only way that the deal gets done is that Tigres change their mind which remains unlikely at the moment.

Eduardo Vargas spent the early part of his career in native Chile before making a move to Seria A giants Napoli in 2012. Failing to establish himself in Italy, played with several other European clubs including Queens Park Rangers and 1899 Hoffenheim. In 2017, Vargas joined Tigres and has since played 67 games for the club while scoring 17 goals.

Vargas is also a member of Chile national football team since 2009. He played 82 games for the senior team and scored 35 goals in the process.

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Veteran defender Liam Ridgewell is putting an end to his stint with Portland Timbers. Ridgewell, who spent the last five MLS seasons with the franchise, mutually agreed to part ways with Timbers, the team has announced.

“Liam is quite simply one of the most important and influential signings in Timbers history,” – said Timbers owner Merritt Paulson in a statement. “Not only has he been a top defender in MLS since his arrival but he is a winner who greatly contributed to our locker room culture. I thank Liam and will miss him.”

Liam Ridgewell joined the Timbers in 2014 and has since played 97 games for the team while scoring six goals. He has two MLS All-Star selections while also helping the team to win the MLS Cup in 2015.

“Liam is a high-quality player and professional that played a critical role in our run to MLS Cup this past season,” – added head coach of the Timbers Giovanni Savarese. “It was a great pleasure to work with a player that has been extremely impactful to the success of the Portland Timbers organization. I wish him great success in all of his future pursuits.”

Ridgewell also released a statement following his exit, thanking Portland’s fans for the support and saying he is looking forward to the next chapter in his career.

“It has been an absolute pleasure playing in Portland for the past five seasons, and I am grateful to the fans and everyone involved for the opportunity,” – said Ridgewell. “I am very proud of what we achieved together, and at the same time I am very excited about what the future holds for me as I move on to the next chapter in my career.”

Liam Ridgewell spent the better part of his professional career in England, where he played for various teams including Aston Villa, Birmingham, and WBA among others. 

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The Portland Timbers beat Kansas City 3-2 on Thursday to win the Western Conference and book a place in the MLS Cup on Dec. 8. The team will face Atlanta United in their second MLS Cup appearance in four seasons.

Kansas City opened the scoresheet in the 20^th minute after Diego Rubio passed the ball through Zarek Valentin’s legs for a superb first-half goal. The Timbers attempted to equalize in the 40^th minute but Andy Polo’s shot was blocked by Sporting’s goalkeeper.

In the second half, Sebastian Blanco netted a beautiful goal with a shot from outside the box to level the game on in the 52^nd minute. With that goal, Portland only required to hold defense and could have won the competition based on the away goal rule.

Luckily for their fans, the Timbers sought a clear win, scoring in the 81^st and the 90^th + 9 minutes through goals by Gerso Fernandes and Diego Valeri. Coach Giovanni Savares credited his team for the hard work and said the team placed the team where it wanted to be.

“It’s a credit to a group that worked hard, a group that believed all along that we could achieve something great,” the coach said. “Now, this achievement puts us where we want to be, in the final.”

The Timbers will face title favorites Atlanta United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December eight.

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The Portland Timbers have moved from midfielder Darlington Nagbe, trading him to Atlanta United in exchange for $1.65 million in allocation money as reported by ESPN. The trade also includes defender Gbenga Arokoyo going to United while the Timbers will receive 2018 international spot.

“Thank you, Portland, and everyone that supported my family and me the past seven years,” – said Nagbe in a statement.

Nagbe, who is a member of United States men’s national soccer team since 2015, was one of Atlanta’s top targets in the offseason.

“He is a perfect fit for our style of play as he has a dynamic ability to dribble out of trouble, maintain possession and make passes that bring additional players into the game,” – said Atlanta vice president and technical director, Carlos Bocanegra.

The 27-year-old played college soccer at the University of Akron and also spent time with Cleveland Internationals in the USL Premier Development League. With the Internationals he played 18 games, scoring on seven occasions. After the Timbers selected Nagbe in the second round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, he went on to star in 214 games for the team, scoring 27 goals. Although Darlington Nagbe was born in Liberia, he was eligible for the USMNT after receiving his U.S. green card in 2012. He made his debut on November 13, 2015, and went on to play 24 games for the national team, scoring one goal in the process.

Atlanta United began playing in 2017 season, joining as an expansion franchise and ending with 15-9-10. The team reached the knockout round of the playoffs but was eliminated by the Columbus Crew SC. Portland Timbers, on the other hand, were eliminated by the Houston Dynamo in the conference semifinals after finishing first in the Western Conference.

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