T2 on 12-match unbeaten streak, finish second in Western Conference and will host first MLSNP playoff game on Oct. 16
TUKWILA, Wash. – Portland Timbers2 (14-4-10, 57pts) concluded the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro regular season with a last minute 1-1 draw at Tacoma Defiance (11-12-5, 41pts) on Sunday afternoon to clinch the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Pacific Division title and finish with a league-best 12-game unbeaten stretch.
Despite playing down a man for nearly 75 minutes, Timbers2 equalized an early second half deficit via a Gage Guerra header in the 90th minute of regulation to salvage the road point. Portland dropped the ensuing penalty kick shootout 4-3, however, they secure the second seed in the Western Conference and will host their first-ever MLSNP playoff match on Oct. 16.
Up Next: Western Conference Quarterfinals
Timbers2 clinched their spot in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs for the first time in club history, finishing second in the Western Conference standings and winning the Pacific Division title in their fifth season in MLSNP. T2 will host their first-ever MLS NEXT Pro playoff game on Friday, Oct. 16, at Providence Park. Kickoff time for the Western Conference quarterfinal and Portland’s opponent will be announced at a later date.
Don’t Count T2 Out
T2 earned their sixth come-from-behind result of the campaign in tonight’s 1-1 draw at Tacoma. Portland has now secured four victories and two draws in comeback fashion to earn 14 of a possibly lost 18 points on the season. Notably, five of those come-from-behind results have been earned in the 89th minute of regulation or later, including three stoppage time goals to secure the win or draw.
Goal-Scoring Plays
TAC – Charlie Gaffney (Jasper Winslow, Matthew Bell), 50th minute: Jasper Winslow sent a cross to the back right post where Charlie Gaffney hit a first-time low volley past the near post.
POR – Gage Guerra (Bryce VanVoorhis, Lucas Fernandez-Kim), 90th minute: Bryce VanVoorhis rose up in the opponents box and won a header, playing it across the face of the goal for Gage Guerra to head past the keeper from close range.
Notes
- Portland Timbers2 (14-4-10, 57pts) secured second place in the Western Conference.
- With the result T2 wins the Pacific Division title for the first time.
- Timbers2 will host its first ever MLS NEXT Pro playoff game on Oct. 16 at Providence Park.
- Kickoff time and opponent for T2’s Western Conference Quarterfinal will be announced at a later date.
- With the last-minute equalizer today, Portland extended its league-best unbeaten streak to 12 games (6-0-6).
- Over their unbeaten span, Timbers2 outscored opponents 4-2 at home, including three clean sheets, and 12-5 away from home with three shutouts.
- Portland finished the season with their last five games at home unbeaten (2-0-3) and final eight games on the road without a loss (5-0-3).
- Notably, eight-straight unbeaten road games (5-0-3, 14 GF, 5GA) to end the campaign was the longest undefeated road streak this year in MLS NEXT Pro.
- Gage Guerra scored his second MLSNP goal of the season to save a point in tonight’s match.
- It comes as Portland’s sixth come-from-behind result of the campaign.
- Guerra’s 90th minute equalizer is one of five to come in the 89th minute of regulation or later in their six comeback results.
- Three of the six come-from-behind results for T2 this season have been earned in stoppage time.
- Timbers2 salvaged 14 of 18 possibly lost points with their comeback efforts in 2026.
- Bryce VanVoorhis earned his first career assist for T2 tonight.
- Lucas Fernandez-Kim earned his sixth assist of the campaign and eighth goal contribution (2G, 6A).
- Sam Joseph made his ninth penalty shootout stop of the season.
- Defender Alex Bamford made his 50th MLSNP appearance for Portland.
- Cole Cruthers made his first career start for T2.
- Adolfo Enriquez made his 90th career appearance for Timbers2, the most of any active T2 player.
Next Game
Timbers2 will host its first ever MLS NEXT Pro playoff game on Friday, Oct. 16. Kickoff from Providence Park and T2’s opponent for the match will be announced at a later date. For information on how to stream the Western Conference Quarterfinal please visit MLSNEXTPro.com.
Portland Timbers2 (14-4-10, 57pts) vs. Tacoma Defiance (11-12-5, 41pts)
September 20, 2026 – Starfire Sports Complex (Tukwila, Wash.)
Goals by Half |
1 |
2 |
F |
PK |
Tacoma Defiance |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
Portland Timbers 2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
Scoring Summary:
TAC: Gaffney (Winslow, Bell), 50
POR: Guerra (VanVoorhis, Fernandez-Kim), 90
Shootout Summary:
TAC: Carli – GOAL
POR: Lund – GOAL
TAC: Gaffney – GOAL
POR: Kissel – SAVE
TAC: Bonilla – SAVE
POR: E. Izoita – GOAL
TAC: Gnaulati – GOAL
POR: Enriquez – GOAL
TAC: Jauregui – GOAL
POR: Jura – SAVE
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Cervantes (ejection), 16
TAC: Rios (caution), 64
TAC: Gnaulati (caution), 65
POR: Fernandez-Kim (caution), 71
POR: VanVoorhis (caution), 73
Lineups
POR: GK Joseph, D Jura, D Bamford, D Lund, D Ferguson , M Enriquez ©, M Cruthers (E. Izoita, 61), M Fernandez-Kim (Kissel, 90+5), F Griffith (VanVoorhis, 61), F Santos (Guerra, 61), F Cervantes
TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (four players tied, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (six players tied, 1); FOULS: 17 (five players tied, 2); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 2
TAC: GK Anchor ©, D Alvare (Rios, 61), D Sandnes, D Winslow, M Gnaulati, M O’Neill, M Jauregui, M Bell (Carli, 77), F Phoenix (Bonilla, 90+1), F Bronnik, F Gaffney
TOTAL SHOTS: 16 (Bronnick, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (three players tied, 1); FOULS: 12 (three players tied, 2); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 5
Referee: Ivan De Cristofaro
Assistant Referees: Conrado Garcia, Aleh Maslianka
Fourth Official: Aidan Atkins
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
