Could 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Seattle Sounders FC ahead Paul Rothrock (14) kicks the ball through the first half towards LAFC at BMO Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Pictures The Portland Timbers may have a recent face on their bench after they return from the World Cup break to face the host Seattle Sounders on Thursday night time in a Cascadia Cup conflict.
The Timbers (4-8-2, 14 factors) parted methods with coach Phil Neville after a 3-1 loss to visiting San Jose heading into the break that prolonged their winless streak to a few matches (0-2-1). Jack Cassidy, 36, who’s in his first yr as coach of the Timbers’ MLS Subsequent Professional workforce Timbers2, will take over on an interim foundation till a brand new coach is discovered.
“Jack has impressed in his first yr with Timbers2 and (we) see that is the appropriate momentary staffing construction till we full the teaching search,” Timbers basic supervisor Ned Grabavoy stated in a information launch.
The Timbers went 27-31-24 in two-plus seasons beneath Neville, shedding within the wild-card spherical in 2024 and the primary spherical of the playoffs in 2025.
Kevin Kelsy leads the Timbers in targets and is tied for second on the workforce in assists (three), with Kristoffer Velde including 4 targets and three helpers. The Timbers, who’re simply 1-6-1 on the highway, have conceded 28 targets whereas scoring 22.
The Sounders (7-3-3, 24 factors) had a nine-match MLS unbeaten run snapped with losses to each Los Angeles groups heading into the break. They took their first house lack of the marketing campaign in a 2-0 defeat to the Galaxy, then dropped a 1-0 choice at Los Angeles FC.
Behind defender Jackson Ragen, who was named a reserve for the MLS All-Stars for his or her match towards the Liga MX All-Stars on July 29 in Charlotte, the Sounders are tied for the league lead with solely 11 targets allowed. Paul Rothrock has a team-high 4 targets for Seattle, which has tallied simply 17 instances, thirteenth out of 15 Western Convention groups.
The Sounders have dominated out U.S. worldwide Cristian Roldan after reaggravating a proper quad harm he sustained in coaching through the World Cup. Roldan did not seem in any of the People’ matches, together with their two performed in Seattle.
As tough as that may have been for Roldan, conserving the ultra-competitive midfielder out of a Cascadia Cup match is perhaps simply as daunting for the Sounders.
“It will be unattainable. An unforgettable bashing of skulls,” Sounders basic supervisor Craig Waibel joked. “There may be going to must be some relaxation someplace.”
–Discipline Degree Media
