The strategy for the Portland Timbers coming into 2025 was relatively simple: yes, the team was missing a substantial piece from 2024 with the departure of Evander, but what was lost in goals should have been mitigated by an improved defense.

And Portland’s defense is better — notably so when compared to 2024.

Portland allowed 56 goals last season. This year, that number has been cut to 44 with one match to play.

The catch, of course, is the offense can’t fall to such a level that winning games is impossible.

Right?

The Portland Timbers lost to Seattle 1-0 on Saturday . It was the ninth time Portland’s been shut out in 2025 — it only happened five times in 2024 — and it came with pretty devastating consequences. Seattle finishes ahead of Portland in the Cascadia Cup, the Timbers s

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