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Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance Prediction: Key Stats and Tips

Portland Timbers II welcome Tacoma Defiance to Providence Park on 31 May 2026 in a Pacific Division clash that could reshape the MLS Next Pro playoff picture. With both clubs already deeply familiar foes, this rivalry fixture arrives at a point in the campaign where every point has major implications for the standings.

Portland Timbers II sit on 20 points from 11 matches and are ranked 2nd in the Pacific Division, while also holding 5th place in the Eastern Conference grouping with the same tally and a goal difference of -1. That position currently aligns with a “Promotion - MLS Next Pro (Play Offs: 1/8-finals)” description, underlining how important it is for them to keep banking results at home.

Tacoma Defiance, meanwhile, are chasing from behind. They are 6th in the Pacific Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference group, with 14 points from 12 games and a goal difference of -5. The visitors have shown flashes of strong attacking form recently, but their defensive record and away numbers keep them under pressure coming into Providence Park.

Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance Key Stats

  • Portland Timbers II have 20 points from 11 league matches with 14 goals for and 15 against, holding 2nd place in the Pacific Division.
  • Across their last five MLS Next Pro meetings listed, Portland Timbers II and Tacoma Defiance have each enjoyed spells of dominance, with Portland winning 2-1 at Providence Park on 25 August 2025 and Tacoma recording a 5-2 home win on 9 September 2024.
  • Portland Timbers II average 1.4 goals scored per match and 1.6 conceded this season, while Tacoma Defiance average 1.3 scored and 1.6 conceded.

Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance — Tale of the Tape

  • Position: 2 vs 6 (Pacific Division)
  • Points: 20 vs 14
  • Goals For: 14 vs 13
  • Goals Against: 15 vs 18
  • Clean Sheets: Portland Timbers II 4 vs Tacoma Defiance 3

The standings underline Portland Timbers II’s slightly stronger overall profile. With 20 points from 11 matches and 14 goals scored, they have been more effective at turning performances into results than Tacoma Defiance, who sit on 14 points from 12 games with 13 goals scored. Portland’s negative goal difference of -1 (14 for, 15 against) shows they are far from watertight, but they are finding ways to win.

Tacoma Defiance’s -5 goal difference (13 for, 18 against) reflects a side that can score but is often undermined by its defensive record, particularly away from home where they have conceded 11 goals in 5 matches. Both teams concede an average of 1.6 goals per game in league play, but Portland’s extra points and slightly better balance between attack and defence give them a small edge coming into this fixture.

Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance Key Matchups

Colin Griffith vs Tacoma Defiance Back Line

Colin Griffith stands out as Portland Timbers II’s headline name across the league’s top scorers, top assists, top yellow cards and top red cards lists. The 21-year-old forward has made 1 league appearance this season. While he has yet to register a goal or an assist in that outing, his presence across multiple statistical leaderboards indicates how central he is to Portland’s attacking identity and discipline profile, having collected 0 yellow and 0 red cards so far.

For Tacoma Defiance, there is no single attacker or defender highlighted in the top scorers, assists or cards datasets, which places the focus on their collective defensive unit rather than an individual matchup. How Tacoma’s back line handles Griffith’s movement and physicality, particularly given Portland’s 1.4 goals-per-game output and four clean sheets at the other end, will be critical to the visitors’ chances of taking anything from Providence Park.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

This rivalry has been fiercely contested in MLS Next Pro, with both sides trading heavy wins and tight contests in recent seasons. The recent history suggests neither team can take this fixture lightly, especially with home advantage often proving decisive.

  • 25 August 2025: Portland Timbers II 2-1 Tacoma Defiance (MLS Next Pro, Regular Season - 32)
  • 28 July 2025: Tacoma Defiance 1-2 Portland Timbers II (MLS Next Pro, Regular Season - 26)
  • 19 May 2025: Portland Timbers II 2-1 Tacoma Defiance (MLS Next Pro, Regular Season - 13)
  • 9 September 2024: Tacoma Defiance 5-2 Portland Timbers II (MLS Next Pro, Regular Season - 35)
  • 1 July 2024: Tacoma Defiance 1-0 Portland Timbers II (MLS Next Pro, Regular Season - 22)

Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance Prediction

Evidence from the season points to a tight, tactical game with a slight edge for the hosts. Portland Timbers II have been inconsistent in patches, but their league record and head-to-head dominance in 2025 — winning all three meetings that year — align with the probability split that gives them a strong chance of avoiding defeat. The prediction metrics rate Portland’s win or draw outcome at 45% each for home win and draw, with only 10% allocated to a Tacoma victory.

Both teams average around 1.3–1.4 goals scored and 1.6 conceded per match, suggesting a contest where chances will come but neither side is likely to run away with it. With the advice leaning towards a “double chance: Portland Timbers II or draw” and both teams’ goal expectations flagged under 2.5, a low-scoring home-favoured result fits the statistical pattern. Expect Portland’s slightly superior defensive solidity and their clean-sheet record to tilt a close rivalry encounter in their favour.

Predicted Score: Portland Timbers II 1-0 Tacoma Defiance

Portland Timbers II League Form

LWWLW

Tacoma Defiance League Form

WWLWW

Portland Timbers II Possible Starting Lineup

H. Sulte; B. Alex, C. Ferguson, Charles Ondo, C. Tommy; C. Cruthers, V. Enriquez, Lucas Fernandez-Kim, M. Kissel; Colin Griffith, Andrew Guerra.

Portland Timbers II have depth across the pitch, with multiple options in every line. In goal, H. Sulte is one of three keepers available, while defenders such as B. Alex, C. Ferguson and Charles Ondo offer flexibility across the back line. In midfield, the likes of C. Cruthers, V. Enriquez and Lucas Fernandez-Kim can provide energy and ball progression, complemented by M. Kissel and others. Up front, Colin Griffith and Andrew Guerra headline a young attacking group that also includes B. Barjolo and several teenage forwards, giving Portland the tools to press high and attack in numbers at Providence Park.

Tacoma Defiance Possible Starting Lineup

M. Anchor; Kevin Bonilla, Andrew Brown, C. Baker, Mark O'Neill; P. Kingston, X. Gnaulati, Daniel Robles; Y. Tsukanome, R. Jauregui, S. Gomez.

Tacoma Defiance travel with a large and versatile squad. At the back, defenders such as Kevin Bonilla, Andrew Brown and Mark O'Neill give the visitors options to set up in either a back four or a more conservative shape. The midfield unit, featuring P. Kingston, X. Gnaulati and Daniel Robles, can mix work rate with technical quality, while in attack players like Y. Tsukanome, R. Jauregui and S. Gomez bring pace and direct running. With several teenagers also in the group, Tacoma have the legs to press, but their challenge will be maintaining defensive concentration over 90 minutes given their 1.6 goals conceded per game.

Portland Timbers II Team News

No significant absences reported.

Tacoma Defiance Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Portland Timbers II:

  • None reported.

Tacoma Defiance:

  • None reported.

Betting Tips: Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

  • Result Tip: Back Portland Timbers II in the double chance (home or draw). The prediction metrics give 45% for a home win and 45% for a draw, with only 10% for an away victory, and Portland also have the better points tally and recent head-to-head record.
  • Goals Tip: Under 2.5 total goals. Both sides average around 1.3–1.4 goals scored and 1.6 conceded, and the goal projections for this fixture are set below 2.5 for both teams, indicating a strong statistical case for a low-scoring contest.
  • Value Tip: Portland Timbers II to keep a clean sheet. They have 4 clean sheets this season compared to Tacoma’s 3, and Tacoma have failed to score in 4 league matches. With the hosts favoured in the win-or-draw market, backing Portland to shut out their rivals offers potential value.

How to Watch Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance

Broadcast coverage varies by region. General guide:

  • Spain: Movistar LaLiga
  • UK: Premier Sports
  • Australia: beIN Sports
  • India: FanCode
  • MENA: beIN Sports
  • South America: ESPN / Disney+
  • Africa: SuperSport

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

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