MLS Match Preview: St. Louis City SC (3-12-6) vs. Portland Timbers (9-5-6)

The MLS Week 22 fixture between St. Louis City SC and Portland Timbers kicks off on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Missouri. Scheduled for 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT, this Western Conference clash features a struggling St. Louis side desperate to halt a losing skid against a surging Portland squad aiming to solidify their top-four position.

Team Form & Standings

St. Louis City SC

Position: 28th in MLS (15 points from 21 matches)

Last 5 Matches: L–L–L–D–L

Home Record: 2W–4D–4L

Goals Scored: 21 Goals Conceded: 34

St. Louis is on the brink of equaling their longest losing streak in club history. Despite a more attacking approach under interim coach David Critchley, results remain elusive. They’ve scored multiple goals in 3 of their last 4 matches but have just 1 win in their last 17 MLS games. The defense has collapsed again, with 13 goals conceded in the last 5 matches.

Portland Timbers

Position: 9th in Western Conference (33 points from 20 matches)

Last 5 Matches: W–L–D–W–W

Away Record: 3W–2D–4L

Goals Scored: 30 Goals Conceded: 28

Portland is trending upward under Phil Neville, earning points in 4 of their last 5 matches. While their home form is elite, they’ve struggled on the road, going goalless in 3 straight away games. A win in St. Louis would mark their fourth road victory of the season, surpassing their 2024 total.

Predicted Lineups & Key Players

St. Louis City SC

Predicted XI: Bürki; Totland, Hiebert, Yaro, Zalinsky; Wallem; Teuchert, Pompeu, Ostrak, Becher; Klauss
Key Absences: Nilsson, Durkin, Baumgartl (knee), Lowen, Kessler (hamstring), Morales (upper body), Alm (hip)
Player to Watch: João Klauss – 6 goals in his last 6 matches; finally rediscovering his DP form

Portland Timbers

Predicted XI: Crepeau; Zuparic, Surman, K. Miller; Mosquera, Ortiz, Paredes, Smith; Moreno, Costa; Mora
Key Absences: Rodriguez, Lassiter, Antony (lower body), McGraw (back)
Player to Watch: David Costa – scored vs New England; emerging as a creative force in midfield

Tactical Matchup & Betting Trends

St. Louis Strengths: Set-piece threat, Klauss’s hot streak, Hartel’s final-third creativity

Portland Strengths: Midfield control, defensive shape, Da Costa’s playmaking

Betting Tip: St. Louis has dropped points in 3 home games after scoring first, while Portland is unbeaten away vs St. Louis in MLS regular season, conceding just 2 goals in those matches.