Timbers, Sounders return from extended break with rivalry clash

The Portland Timbers will have a fresh face on their bench when they return from the World Cup break to face the host Seattle Sounders on Thursday night in a Cascadia Cup clash.

The Timbers (4-8-2, 14 points) parted ways with coach Phil Neville after a 3-1 loss to visiting San Jose heading into the break that extended their winless streak to three matches (0-2-1). Jack Cassidy, 36, who is in his first year as coach of the Timbers' MLS Next Pro team Timbers2, will take over on an interim basis until a new coach is found.

"Jack has impressed in his first year with Timbers2 and (we) see this is the right temporary staffing structure until we complete the coaching search," Timbers general manager Ned Grabavoy said in a news release.

The Timbers went 27-31-24 in two-plus seasons under Neville, losing in the wild-card round in 2024 and the first round of the playoffs in 2025.

Kevin Kelsy leads the Timbers in goals and is tied for second on the team in assists (three), with Kristoffer Velde adding four goals and three helpers. The Timbers, who are just 1-6-1 on the road, have conceded 28 goals while scoring 22.

The Sounders (7-3-3, 24 points) had a nine-match MLS unbeaten run snapped with losses to both Los Angeles teams heading into the break. They took their first home loss of the campaign in a 2-0 defeat to the Galaxy, then dropped a 1-0 decision at Los Angeles FC.

Behind defender Jackson Ragen, who was named a reserve for the MLS All-Stars for their match against the Liga MX All-Stars on July 29 in Charlotte, the Sounders are tied for the league lead with only 11 goals allowed. Paul Rothrock has a team-high four goals for Seattle, which has tallied just 17 times, 13th out of 15 Western Conference teams.

The Sounders have ruled out U.S. international Cristian Roldan after reaggravating a right quad injury he sustained in training during the World Cup. Roldan didn't appear in any of the Americans' matches, including their two played in Seattle.

As difficult as that might have been for Roldan, keeping the ultra-competitive midfielder out of a Cascadia Cup match might be just as daunting for the Sounders.

"It'll be impossible. An unforgettable bashing of skulls," Sounders general manager Craig Waibel joked. "There is going to have to be some rest somewhere."

--Field Level Media