Minnesota United FC at Portland Timbers Preview
MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC at Portland Timbers Preview

Published on September 4, 2026 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Minnesota United returns to the road on Saturday, traveling to Providence Park to face the Portland Timbers in the second meeting between the Western Conference sides this season. Coming off a dramatic draw against Orlando City SC at Allianz Field last weekend, the Loons will look to continue their recent attacking form and build on a stretch that has seen them score eight goals across their last two matches.

The Loons enter Saturday's contest following last week's dramatic 3-3 draw against Orlando City SC. After falling behind 2-0, Minnesota responded with three goals in a five-minute span to take the lead late in the second half. Marcus Caldeira began the comeback in the 71st minute, redirecting Kelvin Yeboah's attempt into the back of the net for his second goal in as many matches. Anthony Markanich then headed Joaquín Pereyra's corner three minutes later before Yeboah completed the turnaround with a bicycle kick in the 76th minute. Orlando ultimately found an equalizer in the third minute of second-half stoppage time to split the points.

Portland enters the matchup following a 2-1 home loss to Austin FC on Saturday. Austin opened the scoring through Facundo Torres in the 25th minute before the Timbers found a late equalizer when Antony converted from the penalty spot in the 89th minute. Portland was unable to hold onto the result, as Oleksandr Svatok scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to give Austin all three points.

Saturday's contest will mark the second regular-season meeting between Minnesota and Portland in 2026. The Loons earned a 2-0 victory at Allianz Field on April 18, with Tomás Chancalay opening the scoring in the 16th minute before Kelvin Yeboah doubled the advantage in the 60th. With both sides looking to strengthen their position in the Western Conference, Minnesota will aim to carry its recent attacking momentum on the road and complete the regular-season sweep of Portland, while the Timbers will look to respond from Saturday's defeat and continue their strong stretch of performances at Providence Park.

Head Coach Cameron Knowles

Forward Maurice Malone

Head Coach Cameron Knowles on the team's recent attacking form heading into the match against Portland Timbers...

"Our group's taken a lot of confidence from the last two games. We were saying that, over the course of the games that preceded that, we created a number of good chances and just hadn't been able to put them away. And so to score eight goals in the last two games, I think our group is hungry for more. And they know that we can score goals in different ways, whether that's set pieces, whether that's transition or open play. So, I think we're well prepared going into the game."

PLAYER STATUS REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

Bongokuhle Hlongwane - Knee (Out) Peter Stroud - Lower Extremity (Out)

QUESTIONABLE:

None

MINNESOTA UNITED FC @ PORTLAND TIMBERS

Providence Park | Portland, Oregon

9.5.2026 | MLS Regular Season | Match 23

9:30 p.m. CT (Apple TV; MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN)

2026 Regular-Season Record (W-L-D)

MIN: 7-7-8 (29 pts. | 5-4-2 on the road)

POR: 8-10-4 (28 pts. | 6-3-2 at home)

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 4, 2026


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