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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I believe tonight was the first time in club history that three homegrown academy graduates (Sulte, Jura, Izoita) made an MLS matchday squad for the Portland Timbers. They had 3 rostered in 2022 (Sulte, Bodily, Ikoba), but those three never made the same matchday squad. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Eric Izoita should see minutes in every remaining match of 2026. A goal and an assist in 113 minutes with the first team this year, 6 goals and 3 assists for T2 in 2,109 minutes. Doesn’t look out of place in that midfield, didn’t against Vancouver earlier this year too. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Full Time: Earthquakes 3 - 1 Timbers Da Costa scored a consolation goal late in the second half, but the damage done in the opening 30 minutes sinks the Timbers. Izoita was a huge positive, one of the few bright spots for the Timbers tonight. Play him. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

90+2’ Speculative hit from Izoita, but the kid deserves to have that one. He has tried to make things happen every time he’s received the ball. Put in a great challenge at the other end to start that move. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

89’ Nearly another one back for Antony, whose header is denied by Edwards with a diving save at close range. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

86’ Awesome Da Costa goal to pull one back for the Timbers, 3-1. Quick passing from Antony, Guerra, and Izoita in the box sets up the Portuguese midfielder for a hammer shot at the near post. The Timbers’ homegrown midfielder gets the assist. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

74’ Izoita hasn’t put a foot wrong since coming on. Linking up with the attack and tracking back in defense. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

67’ Triple switch for the Timbers: Izoita, Smith, Antony ON // Bassett, Fory, Lassiter OFF #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I think it’s fair at this point to say that the Timbers probably are as bad as this scoreline suggests. It is not a squad that needs a couple cosmetic procedures, it is a squad in need of open-heart surgery this offseason. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

59’ Nearly the Judd hattrick, blocked by Kamal Miller. Just blew past the challenge of Eric Miller. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

51’ Kikanovic allowed to run half the length of the pitch into the box before getting off an unblocked shot. It’s just shocking. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

It has been really incredible for years how badly the Timbers struggle with the Brian White/Preston Judd-archetype of striker. The ease at which they always seem to find the right spots in the box, with little-to-no contest, is mind-boggling. Killed by simple movement. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Halftime: Earthquakes 3 - 0 Timbers Pretty clinical first half from San Jose, Portland’s backline has been all over the place. The attack hasn’t been much better. Velde being double/triple-teamed whenever he gets the ball, Da Costa misfiring. What are we drinking? #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

45+2’ Kamal Miller wins the ball in a challenge against Judd and the call goes against him. Don’t agree with that call. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

45’ Kamal Miller with an unforced giveaway to San Jose, who nearly score a fourth through Costa unmarked at the far post. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

42’ David da Costa has gotten himself into some great positions tonight, but the decisive final action has eluded him. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

40’ Velde hacked down by Roberts on the counter, and the San Jose man earns yellow. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

San Jose are forcing Portland to play back to their defenders, who are then forced to boot it long. Nobody is winning second balls, and the Earthquakes are just ruthless in the final third. Commentary team just said “It feels like Portland’s a man down” and I agree. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

29’ 3-0 Earthquakes, Judd again. This one’s getting out of hand. Kamal Miller trying to rally the troops but the hosts are dominating the Timbers. Fory all over the place against Munie, and Eric Miller in no-man’s-land as the cross comes in for Judd. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

24’ 2-0 Quakes, Löwen. LeRoux latches onto a ball, plays it to Löwen, and the DP roofs his shot past Pantemis on the left peg. Failed clearance on the challenge, and Eric Miller couldn’t get across quickly enough. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

22’ Werner takes aim from distance and Pantemis does well to parry the bouncing strike wide. At the other end Velde chops a backheel into Da Costa’s path, but his left-footed shot is right at the ‘keeper. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

19’ What an excellent backwards header from Reid Roberts to his ‘keeper to deny Lassiter a certain goal. Da Costa clipped a wonderful ball toward him in the box, just about dealt with by San Jose. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

17’ Munie rakes the top of Velde’s foot with his studs while Portland’s attacker was shielding the ball. That one hurts so bad. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

13’ Janssen with a good turn and shot in the box while holding off the defender. Edwards equal to it down low. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

11’ Lassiter cuts inside and takes Portland’s first shot of the night from distance. Edwards Jr. able to hold. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

7’ Sloppy giveaway from Lassiter in Portland’s defensive third pounced on by Costa, who slips Werner into the box, and his cross is turned away by Fory. A minute later Löwen nearly scores off of a San Jose corner. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

4’ 1-0 Earthquakes, Preston Judd. Cross from Löwen to the forward at the back post, who has Hernandez facing the wrong way as he loops a header back over James Pantemis. Timbers down early. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

A live look at the Western Conference table: A win would put the Timbers back above the play-in line and within 1pt of Colorado in 7th. Eight teams fighting for the final 3 spots. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

First choice front 6 with Chara at the base of midfield, Fory, Kamal & Eric Miller at CB, Hernandez at RB in front of Pantemis. Izoita on the bench after inking first-team deal this week. Aravena available following his hip injury, too. Thoughts? #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I’ll be bringing y’all Timbers @ San Jose live coverage, then switch to @stumptownfooty.bsky.social when the Thorns game finishes ~1 hour from kickoff, lots of absences, and just 2 road wins on the season for Portland, who have taken just 4pts from their last 5 games — What could go wrong? #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

“It’s going to be crucial to get clean sheets and points away,” says Diego Chara on what needs to happen during the remaining eight matches of the season. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

“I think talking about the attacking side today, we missed a little bit of quality at the end,” says Diego Chara. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

“I think it’s very clear what we are missing and what we should have addressed,” says Marti Cifuentes regarding attacking reinforcements in the summer transfer window. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

“It’s a pity that Vinny [Janssen] got this hamstring injury in the last weeks,” says Cifuentes. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

“Very disappointing night. We started really well the first 15 minutes, but then we concede the goal. It’s a combination of mistakes. Then you are chasing a result,” says Marti Cifuentes. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

2 minutes before Atlanta’s opener I turned to @tysonalger.bsky.social and said “The Timbers have started pretty well, have controlled the ball, and had chances to score. Which means they’re going to give away a braindead goal in first half stoppage time.” Didn’t even take that long. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Pool reporter q’s are going to remain pointless until PRO actually start giving real answers to them. It’s always some version of “The decision was made because the decision was made.” There’s zero accountability from the organization or MLS for them continuing to get it wrong.

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The Timbers are obviously facing an extremely uphill battle missing six starting-level players tonight, and with another two on the bench. Three changes to your backline is rarely a recipe for success, surprised Cole/Kris/Finn weren’t rested too. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Kristoffer Velde has quickly taken Dario Zuparic’s spot as most electric Timbers interview. He’s a straight shooter who wears his heart, and other adjectives (accurate or not), on his sleeve. Really enjoyed listening to him speak tonight about the edge he plays with. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

As Kristoffer Velde was leaving the press conference I told him my sister’s birthday is also 9/9/99, and he says that in his hometown there is another Kristoffer Velde who was also born on the same day as him. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

“It’s not a secret that I love Kris, even from my time in Norway,” says Martí Cifuentes. “He’s quite powerful, fantastic in 1v1s. Technically good in small spaces and the power to attack the big spaces.” #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

“We were a little bit like a boxer who gets dazed,” says Martí Cifuentes on conceding a goal 35 second into the match followed by losing David da Costa to a concussion. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

“S-T-L” the chant from the away supporters at full time, in case anybody didn’t know the abbreviation for St. Louis. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Looks like Diego Chara is about to come on. Da Costa does not look happy. #RCTID

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Alex Barnes @alex-barnes.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Da Costa just took a rocket of a clearance directly to the face. Trainer and independent concussion doctor immediately waved on. #RCTID

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