MLS: San Diego FC Obliterate Portland Timbers To End Playoff Hopes

Written by Patrick Echatah

Portland Timbers concluded their 2025 MLS season with a 4-0 loss to San Diego. The final minutes of the match were marked by defender Juan Mosquera receiving a straight red card in the 80th minute.

More Details

Following a late tackle, Mosquera assaulted San Diego’s Hirving Lozano with a karate chop to the throat, an act of aggression that was arguably the Timbers’ most impactful strike of the entire game, ultimately leaving Portland down a man as the season ended.

The decisive Match 3 saw the Timbers completely outclassed by San Diego. Right from the start, their performance was inadequate—they even struggled with basic play like handball fouls and poor footwork. The scoring began quickly, with San Diego leading 1–0 within five minutes. Goals from Amahl Pellegrino (in the 17th and 53rd minutes) and a second from Anders Dreyer by the 79th minute sealed a 4–0 blowout.

It wasn’t a stressful or dramatic game, just a heavy defeat. San Diego controlled 66% of the possession and had far more opportunities (9 shots on goal, 5 big chances) than Portland (3 shots on goal, 0 big chances), ultimately demonstrating the composure that the frustrated Timbers lacked.

While Portland Timbers season’s inconsistency was apparent in the final result, they still managed a few notable positives. They returned to the MLS playoffs for the first time since 2021, and their penalty shootout victory in Match 2 delivered one of the most thrilling moments in recent club history.

Read Also – Noah Lyles: America’s Ultimate Showman

Furthermore, the club saw significant growth from young defender Finn Surman. Although the summer acquisition of Kristoffer Velde didn’t immediately pay off, the Timbers have clearly secured a passionate and talented player in his prime who can be a centerpiece for the next two years.

Portland Timbers struggled significantly during the 2025 season. Their performance was hampered by the offseason uncertainty surrounding Evander’s future, who ultimately left and scored 18 goals for Cincinnati, while Portland’s offense sputtered.

The team finished with a losing record, conceded more goals than they scored, and their inconsistent “feast or famine” nature made their blowout loss to the Western Conference’s top team unsurprising, despite the belief that they are capable of better.

Do you have a story tip?
Kindly Email: keepup@bettitude.com

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube

Bookmark (0)

Please login to bookmark