The Portland Timbers have signed Paraguayan midfielder Matias Rojas to bolster their playoff push, with Head Coach Phil Neville praising his invaluable experience. The Timbers face a tough test against Western Conference leaders San Diego FC, who are in excellent form. Key players to watch include San Diego’s Anders Dreyer and Portland’s Kevin Kelsy. Statistical analysis favors San Diego, but Portland will look to Rojas to spark their attack and secure a crucial victory.
The Portland Timbers have bolstered their squad with the acquisition of Paraguayan midfielder Matias Rojas, a move head coach Phil Neville believes will be “invaluable” as they push for a playoff berth. The Timbers are gearing up for a challenging encounter against Western Conference leaders, San Diego FC, marking the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
Rojas, a seasoned professional with over 200 career appearances for clubs including Corinthians, Inter Miami, and River Plate, brings a wealth of experience and attacking prowess to the Timbers. His impressive record of 69 direct goal contributions – 47 goals and 22 assists – speaks volumes about his impact on the pitch. During his time with Inter Miami, he showcased his abilities with nine goals and three assists in just 20 appearances.
Currently holding sixth place in the Western Conference, six points ahead of 10th-placed Real Salt Lake, the Timbers are keen to solidify their playoff position. Neville expressed his delight at securing Rojas’s signature, stating, “Matias is a player we’ve been watching closely over the last 12 months and are thrilled to welcome into the team. The amount of experience he brings from some of the world’s top clubs and competitions is invaluable. Technically and tactically, he’s a top-quality player with excellent ability on the ball. We expect him to raise the standard and be a massive addition to our playoff push.”
Timbers General Manager Ned Grabavoy echoed Neville’s sentiments, emphasizing Rojas’s potential to elevate the team’s performance. “We believe Matias can raise the overall level of the team, and he has shown the ability to provide special moments. These attributes will be leaned on as we strive to finish the season as strong as possible. He provides us with another quality option, and his level of experience both outside and within MLS speaks for itself.”
Showdown in SoCal ☀️
: Nature Unites
: https://t.co/TGuOp0T5sf pic.twitter.com/S6qDfAYPEe— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) August 21, 2025
However, the Timbers face a stern test against San Diego FC, who are enjoying a remarkable run of form. Mikey Varas’s side has won their last three matches, establishing a five-point lead at the top of the Western Conference. Their recent 2-1 victory against the San Jose Earthquakes showcased their resilience, with a late turnaround securing the win.
Key Players to Watch
San Diego FC – Anders Dreyer: The Danish forward has been a revelation in his debut MLS season, amassing an impressive 13 goals and 14 assists in 27 league games. Dreyer has been directly involved in a goal in each of San Diego’s last three MLS matches, demonstrating his consistent threat. His ability to both score and create opportunities makes him a pivotal player for San Diego.
Portland Timbers – Kevin Kelsy: The Venezuelan forward has emerged as Portland’s primary attacking outlet, finding the net seven times in MLS this season. Kelsy recently scored a brace against Cincinnati, adding to his two-goal performance in April. Another multi-goal game would see him become the first Timbers player since Brian Fernandez in 2019 to achieve three such feats in a single regular season.
The statistics favor San Diego FC, with Opta giving them a 45.3% win probability compared to Portland’s 27.8%. A draw is predicted with a 26.9% chance. Portland’s recent road form has been concerning, scoring only two goals in their last six away matches and securing just one win in that span. San Diego, on the other hand, have become specialists in late goals, scoring a league-leading 13 goals after the 80th minute this season.
Despite Portland’s two wins in California this season (against LA Galaxy and LAFC), they have never won three games in the state in a single MLS season. This match represents a significant challenge for the Timbers, who will need to overcome their recent struggles and contain San Diego’s potent attack to secure a positive result. The arrival of Matias Rojas provides a much-needed boost, but it remains to be seen whether he can immediately integrate into the team and make a decisive impact.
