Portland Timbers 2
Portland Timbers 2 (T2) is the reserve affiliate team of Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers, competing in MLS Next Pro, the official reserve league and third division of the American soccer pyramid.[1][2] The club was established in October 2014 to provide a professional development pathway for young players and compete in the USL Championship's predecessor league, USL PRO, beginning play in 2015 at Merlo Field on the University of Portland campus.[3] After five seasons in the USL Championship (2015–2019), during which the team relocated home matches to Providence Park (2017–2019) and Hillsboro Stadium (2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), T2 joined the inaugural MLS Next Pro season in 2022 as one of 21 founding clubs, emphasizing player integration with the first team through shared facilities at the adidas Timbers Training Center in Beaverton, Oregon.[2][3] Since transitioning to MLS Next Pro, T2 has focused on nurturing academy talents and loan players, with home games primarily at Providence Park, the historic 25,000-seat venue shared with the senior Timbers and NWSL's Portland Thorns.[4] The team operates under the Portland Timbers' ownership group, led by Merritt Paulson, and aims to bridge the gap between youth soccer and MLS by allowing up to five first-team players to feature in matches each week.[3] Notable aspects include its role in player development, with several alumni progressing to the Portland Timbers' senior roster or other professional leagues; for instance, ahead of the 2025 season, T2 signed multiple academy products, including 15-year-old midfielder Daniel Nuñez.[5] In 2025, T2 finished the 28-match regular season with a 10–6–12 record (38 points), placing 10th in the Western Conference, beginning the schedule on March 15 against Real Monarchs.[6] While yet to claim a league title—recording an 87–45–150 overall record across USL and MLS Next Pro eras as of the end of 2025—T2 has contributed to the Timbers' broader youth ecosystem, including affiliations with Portland Timbers U23 in USL League Two.History
Inception and USL Pro debut
On October 14, 2014, the Portland Timbers announced the formation of Timbers 2 (T2), a professional reserve team set to compete in the USL Pro league starting in 2015 as an affiliate to develop young talent and provide a professional pathway for players from the Timbers' youth system.[3][7] The team was established to bridge the gap between the Timbers Academy and the Major League Soccer first team, allowing for shared resources such as access to Providence Park for select matches and integrated training opportunities to accelerate player development.[8][9] On December 18, 2014, the Timbers appointed Jay Vidovich as T2's inaugural head coach, drawing on his 21 years of experience leading Wake Forest University's men's soccer program to one of the most successful tenures in NCAA history.[10] Vidovich also served as an assistant coach for the Timbers' first team, emphasizing the club's integrated approach to talent development across levels.[11] The roster was built primarily from academy prospects, U-23 players, and trialists, with an open tryout held in February 2015 to supplement the squad.[12] T2 launched its debut season in the rebranded USL (formerly USL Pro) on March 29, 2015, securing a 3-1 victory over Real Monarchs SLC in Sandy, Utah, with forward Kharlton Belmar scoring a brace in his professional debut.[13] The team finished the regular season with an 11-2-15 record, accumulating 35 points and placing eighth in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs in a competitive field led by LA Galaxy II.[14] Belmar emerged as a standout, leading T2 with 12 goals and earning the 2015 USL Rookie of the Year award for his impact as a 22-year-old academy product.[15] Early highlights included T2's first home win on April 2, 2015, a 2-1 comeback victory against defending USL champions Sacramento Republic FC at Merlo Field, where Belmar and Steven Evans scored to complete the rally.[16] The integration of academy talents like Belmar underscored the team's developmental role, with several young players gaining valuable minutes across 28 regular-season matches while sharing facilities and staff with the senior squad.[17]USL Championship years
The USL rebranded from USL Pro to the USL ahead of the 2015 season, with Portland Timbers 2 continuing as a competing team in the league from 2016 to 2020.[18] The team experienced a mix of successes and setbacks during these years, marked by playoff appearances in some seasons and struggles with consistency in others, while serving as a key development pathway for the Portland Timbers' first team.[19] The following table summarizes Portland Timbers 2's regular season performance in the USL Championship from 2016 to 2020:| Year | Regular Season Record (W-D-L) | Western Conference Position | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 12-4-14 | 3rd | Conference finals loss |
| 2017 | 3-6-23 | 16th | Did not qualify |
| 2018 | 17-4-13 | 5th | Quarterfinals loss |
| 2019 | 10-8-16 | 9th | Did not qualify |
| 2020 | 3-0-13 | N/A (shortened season) | Did not qualify |
MLS Next Pro transition and recent seasons
On December 6, 2021, Portland Timbers 2 announced it would join the inaugural MLS Next Pro season in 2022 as part of Major League Soccer's reserve system realignment, aimed at enhancing player development pathways between academy, reserve, and first-team levels.[21] The move allowed for closer alignment with MLS rules and regulations, providing professional and affiliate status for academy graduates while offering cost efficiencies compared to previous affiliations.[22] In its debut MLS Next Pro campaign, T2 finished with a 2-4-18 record (10 points), placing 11th in the Western Conference and earning the wooden spoon as the lowest-ranked team, missing the playoffs. Additionally, Timbers 2 returned to hosting home matches at Providence Park in 2023 after playing at Hillsboro Stadium the prior year, facilitating better integration with the first-team schedule.[23] The 2023 MLS Next Pro season saw Timbers 2 finish with a 9-4-15 record, accumulating 31 points and placing 10th in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs. In 2024, the team recorded 10 wins, 8 draws, and 10 losses for 38 points, ending 9th in the West and again failing to qualify for postseason play; midway through the campaign in May, Serge Dinkota was appointed head coach on a permanent basis after serving as interim.[24] Timbers 2 improved slightly in 2025, posting a 10-6-12 record with 38 points to finish 10th in the Western Conference, once more without playoff qualification.[25] The season concluded on October 6 with a 2-1 victory over St. Louis CITY2 at Providence Park.[25] Following the campaign, the club declined Dinkota's contract option for 2026 after two seasons that yielded 76 total points.[26] A notable development in recent years has been increased opportunities for Timbers 2 players with the first team, exemplified by academy product Adolfo Enríquez earning call-ups to the Portland Timbers' roster for the 2025 Leagues Cup.[27]Identity
Name and branding
Portland Timbers 2, commonly abbreviated as T2, was established on October 14, 2014, as the reserve team for Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers, with the name specifically chosen to reflect its developmental role within the club's structure.[3] The "Timbers 2" designation draws inspiration from the original Portland Timbers franchise, which originated in 1975 as an expansion team in the North American Soccer League (NASL), honoring the city's longstanding soccer heritage tied to the lumber industry and the team's foundational identity.[28] The branding of Portland Timbers 2 closely aligns with that of its parent club, incorporating the green-and-gold color scheme synonymous with the Portland Timbers since the 1975 NASL era, to reinforce unity and shared legacy across the organization's professional and developmental squads.[28] The "T2" shorthand has been a core element of marketing and official communications from the team's inception, emphasizing its position as the second-tier affiliate and facilitating easy recognition among fans and media.[3] Since its founding, the team's name and branding have remained largely consistent, with no significant rebrands or alterations to the "Portland Timbers 2" moniker.[1] However, the transition to MLS Next Pro in 2022—following a one-year hiatus in 2021—further highlighted its role in youth development, positioning T2 as a direct pipeline from the Timbers Academy to the first team and amplifying branding around player pathways and reserve integration within Major League Soccer's ecosystem.[29] In league records and official contexts, the full name "Portland Timbers 2" is used, while supporters commonly refer to the team as "T2" or "Timbers Reserves" in casual discourse.[30]Badge and colors
The badge of Portland Timbers 2, introduced in 2014 upon the team's launch in USL Pro, features a central timber axe drawn from the parent Portland Timbers' MLS crest, enclosed within a circular border that represents unity, wholeness, and the club's pursuit of perfection.[3] Flanking the axe are green chevrons inspired by the original 1975 Timbers mark, symbolizing the layers of development within the Timbers organization and the club's ongoing growth.[3] The lettering "T2" appears below in the typeface used on the 1975 North American Soccer League-era kits, connecting the reserve team's identity to the foundational heritage of Portland's professional soccer history.[3] The axe motif itself honors Portland's logging heritage in the Pacific Northwest, where double-bitted axes were historically used by loggers to fell trees, evoking the region's timber industry roots.[31] Portland Timbers 2's primary colors—Ponderosa Green (hex #00482B), Victory Gold (hex #D69A00), and white—have remained consistent since the team's inception, mirroring the color scheme of the MLS first team to reinforce organizational unity.[32] These hues draw from Oregon's natural landscape, with green representing the lush forests and gold evoking the energy of the region's growth.[33] Adidas has served as the kit supplier for Portland Timbers 2 since 2015, aligning with its role for the parent club under MLS's global partnership.[34] The home kit is predominantly Ponderosa Green, often incorporating subtle axe motifs or chevron patterns for visual continuity with the badge, while away kits vary by season—for instance, the 2025 away design features a white base with gold accents and green detailing.[35] The 2025 kits, known as "Forever Green & Gold," celebrate the club's 50th anniversary by honoring its historical colors and legacy.[36]Facilities
Stadium
Portland Timbers 2's primary home venue is Providence Park, located in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. The stadium has a capacity of 25,218 for soccer matches and is shared with the club's Major League Soccer affiliate, the Portland Timbers. Opened in 1893 as a multi-purpose venue, Providence Park features a natural grass playing surface that supports high-quality match conditions for professional soccer. T2 has played the majority of its home games at Providence Park since the 2017 season, after debuting at Merlo Field in 2015 and 2016, and has utilized it full-time since 2023 following a temporary relocation to Hillsboro Stadium during the 2020–2022 seasons due to scheduling and operational needs.[9] To minimize conflicts with the first team's schedule, T2 home matches are typically scheduled for evening kickoffs, often under the stadium's floodlights. This arrangement allows for efficient use of the shared facility while maintaining the energetic atmosphere associated with Providence Park. Average attendance for T2 games ranges from approximately 2,000 to 3,000 spectators, reflecting the club's role as a developmental team within a passionate soccer community. The venue hosted T2's 2025 regular season finale on October 5 against St. Louis CITY2, where the team secured a 2-1 victory in front of a supportive crowd.[37][38][25] Providence Park includes dedicated supporter sections that often see spillover from the Timbers Army, the renowned fan group for the MLS team, enhancing the match-day experience with chants and energy even for T2 fixtures. The stadium's design, including its intimate seating and north-end stand, fosters a vibrant environment conducive to player development and fan engagement. Owned by the City of Portland, Providence Park operates under a long-term lease agreement with the Timbers organization, which covers maintenance, expansions, and operational costs to ensure its viability as a premier soccer venue.[39]Training facilities
The primary training facility for Portland Timbers 2 is the adidas Timbers Training Center, located at 6220 SW 112th Avenue in Beaverton, Oregon, approximately 10 minutes from Providence Park.[40] Opened in April 2012 on leased property from the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) at a cost of $6 million, the center initially featured a 6,000-square-foot indoor building with locker rooms for the first team and academy players, a weight room, hydrotherapy pool, medical training room, video analysis room, and coaching offices, alongside a natural-grass outdoor practice field available for public use.[40] Prior to the 2012 opening, Timbers teams, including reserves and academy players, conducted training sessions on fields adjacent to Providence Park and other temporary sites in the Portland area. The facility has undergone multiple expansions to support growing needs: in 2015, a 2,600-square-foot addition included enhanced locker rooms, training areas, office space, and additional field access; further investments from 2015 onward totaled around $40 million, with planned expansions to triple the indoor space to approximately 90,000 square feet by 2026.[41][42] In July 2025, the Timbers purchased the 13-acre site outright for $25 million from THPRD, enabling plans for the Portland Timbers Performance Center by 2026, which will add a second grass pitch, viewing deck, expanded offices, and spaces for youth clinics and community events.[43][44] Portland Timbers 2 has utilized the adidas Timbers Training Center for daily training since the team's inception in 2015, sharing the venue with the first team and academy for integrated development activities such as closed-door scrimmages, fitness sessions, and video analysis.[3][45] The center supports T2's routine operations, including preseason preparations and youth player pathways, with academy teams like the Discovery Senior squads conducting supplemental training there year-round.[46] During the 2020 season, amid match venue relocations to Hillsboro Stadium due to Providence Park renovations, T2 continued primary training at the Beaverton site while leveraging additional regional fields as needed.[47]Personnel
Current coaching staff
As of November 2025, the head coach position for Portland Timbers 2 remains vacant following the club's decision to decline Serge Dinkota's contract option after the 2025 MLS Next Pro season.[48] The Portland Timbers organization posted a job listing for the MLS Next Pro head coach role in late October 2025, seeking a candidate with a USSF or Canadian Pro Coaching License, indicating an ongoing search for a permanent replacement.[49] Andrés Flores serves as the primary assistant coach, having joined the staff in 2024 to support player development and tactical implementation within the Timbers' youth system.[50] Steve Reese holds the role of goalkeeping coach, focusing on specialized training for Timbers 2 netminders to align with the first team's standards.[50] The support staff includes Ian Russi as performance specialist, overseeing physical conditioning and recovery protocols, and Ethan Konoza as athletic trainer, managing injury prevention and rehabilitation efforts.[50] Additional roles, such as video analyst, remain integrated into the broader Timbers soccer operations but are not separately listed for Timbers 2 at this time. Under the 2025 interim leadership following Dinkota's tenure, the staff guided Timbers 2 to a 10-6-12 record in MLS Next Pro regular-season play, finishing outside the playoff positions while prioritizing youth integration.[51] This approach emphasized academy promotions, exemplified by defender Sawyer Jura's multiple call-ups to the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team and his short-term agreement with the Portland Timbers first team during the season.[52]Historical head coaches
Portland Timbers 2 has had five head coaches since its inception in 2015 as a USL Championship affiliate. The club's coaching history emphasizes player development within the Portland Timbers' academy system, with tenures averaging approximately two years and a primary focus on nurturing young talent for progression to the first team rather than prioritizing immediate competitive success.[26] Jay Vidovich served as the inaugural head coach from December 2014 to the end of the 2015 season. A veteran NCAA coach from Wake Forest University, Vidovich led T2 through its debut USL Championship campaign, compiling an 11–2–15 regular-season record and securing a playoff berth as the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The team advanced to the conference quarterfinals before a 1-0 defeat to LA Galaxy II.[10][53][54] Andrew Gregor took over as head coach from January 2016 to January 2017, having previously assisted Vidovich. A Portland native and former Timbers player, Gregor managed T2 for two seasons in the USL Championship, with a challenging 2017 campaign resulting in a 3–6–23 record that placed the team last in the Western Conference and out of playoff contention. His tenure prioritized integrating academy prospects into professional environments.[55][56][57][58] Cameron Knowles was appointed head coach on January 8, 2018, and held the position through the 2020 season, spanning three years amid the transition from USL Championship to a shortened COVID-impacted schedule in 2020. A former Timbers defender, Knowles guided T2 to its most successful playoff run in 2018, finishing the regular season with a 17–4–13 record for sixth place in the Western Conference before a 3-0 quarterfinal loss to Phoenix Rising FC. The 2020 Fall Season saw a 3-3-2 record in the group's stage. His leadership focused on bridging academy and first-team pathways.[59][60] After forgoing the 2021 USL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, T2 transitioned to MLS Next Pro in 2022 under Shannon Murray, who served as head coach from February 2022 to February 2024. Murray, a long-time Timbers assistant, oversaw the club's entry into the new league, managing rebuilding efforts post-hiatus with an emphasis on youth integration; T2 finished 10th in the Western Conference in 2023 with 11 wins. In 2024, the team ended 11th with 8-10-10, missing playoffs both years.[61][62][63][64][65][66] Serge Dinkota became the head coach on May 3, 2024, following an interim stint earlier that year, and led T2 through the remainder of 2024 and the full 2025 MLS Next Pro season until his contract option was declined on October 13, 2025. Under Dinkota, T2 recorded an 8-10-10 mark in 2024 (11th in the West) and a 10-6-12 finish in 2025 (10th in the West, 38 points), with no playoff appearances but continued development of academy talents like Charles Ondo, who earned first-team call-ups. His two-year tenure accumulated 76 points across 56 matches, aligning with the club's developmental priorities.[24][26][64][25][26]| Head Coach | Tenure | Key Accomplishments |
|---|---|---|
| Jay Vidovich | 2014–2015 | Inaugural season; Western Conference quarterfinals (11–2–15 regular season)[53][54] |
| Andrew Gregor | 2016–2017 | Academy integration focus; managed through transitional years (2017: 3–6–23)[56] |
| Cameron Knowles | 2018–2020 | 2018 Western Conference quarterfinals (17–4–13); 2020 shortened season (3–3–2) |
| Shannon Murray | 2022–2024 | MLS Next Pro transition; 2023 (11 wins, 10th), 2024 (8–10–10)[64][66] |
| Serge Dinkota | 2024–2025 | 2024 (8–10–10), 2025 (10–6–12); 76 points in 56 matches[26][25] |
Players
Current roster
As of November 12, 2025, following the conclusion of the 2025 MLS Next Pro season, Portland Timbers 2's active roster comprises approximately 25-30 players on MLS Next Pro and academy contracts, supplemented by loans from the Portland Timbers first team. The squad emphasizes development of young talents, with an average age of 18-25 and a focus on U.S.-based academy products to comply with limited international roster slots. Goalkeepers often include first-team loans for experience, while the outfield players blend homegrown defenders, midfielders, and forwards aimed at eventual MLS promotion.[26] In October 2025, the club announced post-season roster adjustments, exercising options on three players, retaining several under existing contracts, promoting one homegrown talent to the first team, declining one option, and releasing four players whose contracts expired. These changes position the team with a stable core for the 2026 preseason, including key contributors from the 2025 campaign such as academy product Adolfo Enríquez and Leagues Cup call-up Noah Santos. Sawyer Jura, a standout defender, signed an MLS contract with the first team effective January 2026.[26][67] The current active roster, pending additional preseason signings, is structured by position below. All listed players are confirmed retained for 2026 unless noted.Goalkeepers
| Player | Nationality | Contract Status |
|---|---|---|
Defenders
| Player | Nationality | Contract Status |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Bamford | England | Under contract |
| Nicklas Lund | Denmark | Under contract |
| Charles Ondo | Equatorial Guinea | Option exercised |
Midfielders
Forwards
| Player | Nationality | Contract Status |
|---|---|---|
| Noah Santos | USA | Option exercised |
Notable alumni
Portland Timbers 2 has served as a crucial development platform for young talent, with several former players advancing to the Portland Timbers' MLS first team or establishing careers in other professional leagues. Forward Kharlton Belmar joined T2 in 2015, where he excelled with 12 goals in 27 appearances, earning the USL Rookie of the Year award for his contributions.[15] Belmar transitioned to Major League Soccer with Sporting Kansas City ahead of the 2017 season, later continuing his career in the USL Championship with clubs including Charlotte Independence.[69] Midfielder Eryk Williamson featured prominently for T2 from 2017 to 2019, logging 34 appearances before making his MLS debut with the Timbers in 2018.[70] He became a key first-team contributor, accumulating over 90 MLS appearances, and earned six caps with the U.S. men's national team.[71] Williamson was traded to Charlotte FC in January 2025.[72] Other notable alumni include midfielder Blake Bodily, who made 35 appearances for T2 across 2015–2017, scoring four goals and providing two assists during his academy-linked tenure.[73] Bodily signed a homegrown contract with the Timbers in 2020, appearing in 12 MLS matches before moving to USL Championship sides such as San Diego Loyal and Tampa Bay Rowdies.[74] Forward Diego Gutiérrez, who progressed through the Timbers Academy and spent time on loan with T2 in 2023 (scoring seven goals in 21 appearances), debuted for the MLS first team in 2022.[75] After departing Portland, he joined USL Championship club Charleston Battery in 2024 and later Monterey Bay FC. Since T2's founding in 2015, the club has played a pivotal role in player development, with numerous individuals called up to the Timbers' MLS roster—often after gaining valuable experience through dozens of reserve-level appearances—facilitating seamless transitions to professional soccer. Examples include the 2017 signing of T2 players Victor Arboleda, Rennico Clarke, and Kendall McIntosh to first-team deals, underscoring T2's impact on the organization's talent pipeline.[76]Seasons and records
Year-by-year results
Portland Timbers 2 competed in the USL Championship from 2015 to 2020, with no season played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has competed in MLS Next Pro since the league's inaugural season in 2022. The following table summarizes their regular season records, final positions, playoff outcomes, top league scorer, and average home attendance for each year.[2][20]| Year | League | Regular season (W-D-L, pts) | Position | Playoffs | Top scorer (goals) | Avg. attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | USL | 11–2–15, 35 | 8th West | Western Conference Quarterfinals loss | Kharlton Belmar (9) | 2,500 |
| 2016 | USL | 12–4–14, 40 | 9th West | Did not qualify | Viliyan Bizhev (8) | 2,500 |
| 2017 | USL | 3–6–23, 15 | 15th West | Did not qualify | Mylan Gray (6) | 2,500 |
| 2018 | USL | 17–4–13, 55 | 5th West | Western Conference Quarterfinals loss | Erikson de Costa (12) | 2,500 |
| 2019 | USL | 10–8–16, 38 | 14th West | Did not qualify | Manuel Arteaga (15) | 1,899 |
| 2020 | USL | 3–0–13, 9 | 11th West | Did not qualify | Justin Rasmussen (4) | 0 (no fans due to COVID-19) |
| 2021 | — | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 | MLS Next Pro | 2–4–18, 10 | 11th West | Did not qualify | Blake Bodily (4) | 2,500 |
| 2023 | MLS Next Pro | 11–1–16, 34 | 10th West | Did not qualify | Florian Monzón (10) | 2,500 |
| 2024 | MLS Next Pro | 8–10–10, 34 | 9th West | Did not qualify | Kyle Linhares (7) | 2,500 |
| 2025 | MLS Next Pro | 10–8–10, 38 | 10th West | Did not qualify | Gage Guerra (11) | 2,500 |