MLS Match Preview: Portland Timbers (10-8-7) vs. FC Cincinnati (15-7-4)

Venue: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Kickoff: 7:30 PM PT / 10:30 PM ET
Broadcast: MLS Season Pass (Apple TV+)

Match Context

This inter-conference battle features two playoff-bound sides with contrasting styles. FC Cincinnati, second in the East with 49 points, travels west to face a resilient Portland Timbers squad sitting sixth in the West with 38 points. Cincinnati leads the league in away wins (8), while Portland has dropped just one of its last eight home matches. Both teams are coming off mixed form—Portland has two wins in its last five, while Cincinnati has lost two of its last three and failed to score in back-to-back matches.

Key Players to Watch

Portland Timbers

Evander – 7 goals, 15 assists; one of MLS’s most creative midfielders

Antony Alves – 5 goals, 6 assists; explosive winger with pace and flair

David Costa – 6 goals, 4 assists; clinical in transition

FC Cincinnati

Luciano Acosta – 10 goals, 12 assists; MVP candidate and elite playmaker

Aaron Boupendza – 8 goals; physical striker with aerial threat

Miles Robinson – Defensive leader anchoring Cincinnati’s back line

Team Form & Stats

Team	Record	Goals For	Goals Against	Last 5 Matches
Portland Timbers	10-8-7	33	34	L-W-D-W-L
FC Cincinnati	15-7-4	39	32	L-W-W-D-L

Cincinnati has not scored in its last 2 matches

Portland has conceded in 7 straight home games

Both teams average over 1.3 goals per match

Tactical Breakdown

Portland plays a fluid 3-4-3 with Evander pulling strings from midfield and Alves stretching defenses wide.

Cincinnati uses a compact 3-5-2, relying on Acosta’s creativity and Boupendza’s finishing.

Expect Portland to press high and target Cincinnati’s wingbacks, while the visitors will look to counter through Acosta and Lucho’s vertical passing.