February 28, 2026; Commerce City, Colorado, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder Cole Bassett (17) handles the ball during the second half of the game against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images The Portland Timbers will look to break their pattern of giving up early goals on Saturday night when they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have started the season strong in several contests.
Portland (1-1-0, 3 MLS points) has conceded a goal within six minutes in each of its first two league games, including a 3-2 home win over Columbus before losing 2-0 to Colorado.
“There is definitely a pattern in the first two games. We want to get into the game quickly, stay at home and be on top.” Timbers coach Phil Neville said. “It starts from the moment you wake up in the morning. Warming up, getting ready to go, that’s what we need to do better.”
Portland has also allowed at least two runs in five straight games, including last year’s first-round playoff series against San Diego, and in three straight home regular season games.
And with attacking midfielder David Da Costa set to miss at least a week with a shoulder injury, there will be less room for error at the moment.
Vancouver (2-0-0, 6 points) is undefeated in four games in all competitions to begin the new season, both in the regular season and in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Last Saturday’s performance may have been the Whitecaps’ best. Thomas Muller’s brace helped coach Jesper Sorensen’s side to a 3-0 half-time lead as they secured a home win by the same score against Toronto.
Sorensen said, “I’m always happy when I win, and I’m always happy when I feel like I did well. And (we) had a tough start with four games in a short period of time, but we did pretty well.” “Yeah, I think the players are feeling good.”
Emmanuel Sabbi is available after serving a league-imposed one-game suspension against Toronto for serious foul play during Vancouver’s 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake on February 21 to open the MLS regular season.
After Saturday, the Whitecaps are scheduled to return to CONCACAF competition in the first leg of the round of 16 at home to Seattle on Thursday.
–Field level media
