Portland Timbers 2023 Season Preview

Tom Bogert

2023 Schedule

First game/Home opener: Feb. 25 - 10:30 pm ET vs. Sporting Kansas City
Full schedule
Watch on MLS Season Pass
Buy the 2023 jersey

Armchair Analyst's Breakdown

Strength: Any team that primarily plays out of a 4-2-3-1 wants to check three boxes on the “3” line: elite match-winners… flexibility… depth. Check, check, check.
Weakness: They were so unstructured last year that goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič had to stand on his head week after week after week, and even that wasn’t enough to drag this team over the finish line and into the playoffs. Just adding more in the attack doesn’t change that. They’ve got to be more connected from front to back.

Key Departures

Bill Tuiloma: New Zealand international center back Bill Tuiloma was traded to Charlotte FC late in preseason. He made more than 100 appearances for the club.
Josecarlos Van Rankin: Portland return the most minutes played from 2022, losing one regular in the rotation: right back Josecarlos Van Rankin. With blossoming Colombian talent Juan David Mosquera signing last summer, it was clear Portland had other plans for the position.

Key Acquisitions

Evander: Brazilian attacking midfielder Evander arrives on a club-record transfer fee from FC Midtjylland, becoming the Europa League’s assists leader through the 2022-23 group stage. Evander tallied 50g/58a in 167 appearances with the Danish club as he developed from a talented young player to a consistent attacker entering his prime.
Other than that, no external senior additions (so far). The MLS Primary Transfer Window stays open until April 24 and the Timbers will remain active in talks for a new forward and center back.
Full roster

From Rio to the Rose City 🇧🇷🌹

It's official, @OficialEvander is Green & Gold 👏#RCTID pic.twitter.com/iTzltqZRD2
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) December 5, 2022