Match Preview: Loons start quick road swing with Portland Timbers

A second run of five unbeaten matches for Minnesota United came to an end last Wednesday at the hands of LAFC. Saturday night the Loons start a quick two-game road swing with a trip to Providence Park to face Portland Timbers. MNUFC has been once of the best defensive teams in the league this year. At dead last in possession, the Loons are tied for second with an average of just 1.1 goals allowed per game. Offensively the counter-attack has worked well with Minnesota having outscored opponents by a combined 13 goals. With Tani Oluwaseyi back from the Gold Cup and Kelvin Yeboah having broken a goal slump, the Loons are looking strong heading towards Leagues Cup.

Portland Timbers have been struggling as of late going 1-3-1 in their last five games, most recently a home loss to Real Salt Lake in the midweek games this past Wednesday. Antony and David de Costa have led the team offensively this season. De Costa has six assists and four goals, while Antony has six goals and five assists. Portland will be without an offensive stalwart as Antony is out currently due to injury and will miss six to eight weeks, per Oregon Live. Defensively the Timbers are right in the middle of the league, at 15th in goals conceded, 13th in expected goals (xG) conceded, and 19th in clean sheets.

News & Notes

Samuel Shashoua was loaned to Birmingham Legion for remainder of 2025 season, Minnesota retaining the right to recall the Shashoua from the loan. The 26 yr old midfielder has made 10 appearances for MNUFC since joining in 2024 and five appearances for the Twos.

Shashoua joins 2025 SuperDraft pick and MNUFC2 signee Roman Torres with the Legion. Torres has made a total of 13 appearances for the Legion across all competitions

MNUFC begins Leagues Cup play on Wednesday, 30th of July when they host Liga MX side Querétaro FC.

For your matchday fix, there’s plenty of places to watch from. Dark Clouds will be at both Becketts (Minneapolis) and alongside the Red Loons at Black Hart in St. Paul tonight.

Availability

MIN | Out: Wessel Speel (shoulder) Hassani Dotson (SEI), Hoyeon Jung (SEI) ; Questionable: None

POR | Out: Antony (lower body), Jonathan Rodriguez (lower body) ; Questionable: David Da Costa (lower body)

Staff Predictions

Ashle Paige: 2–2 draw

Seth Steffenhagen: 2–1 Loons

Tim McLaughlin: Timber joey will cut one slice of log. The away team will score zero goals

Michael Lake: 2–2

MJ: 1–1

Bridget McDowell: 3-1 Portland. Prove me wrong Loons