Episodes

  • Gopher Broke State of Mind - Portland Timbers at Minnesota United

    Gopher Broke State of Mind - Portland Timbers at Minnesota United
    Apr 22 2026

    It's Timbers Time! This week, with Matt adventuring in Europe, Chris sails solo with a quick hitting pod going over the error-strewn loss in Minnesota, as the Timbers go for broke and leave empty handed, if points do in fact manifest in the hand metaphorically. There's at least hope in one young player’s development and intrigue in asking what it would take to get us to buy into Phil-osophy?…. RCTID!


    This episode's talking points include:

    • An intelligent and tactically nuanced press conference (not by Phil Neville)

    • Relief at Juan Mosquera’s injury news

    • Big problems in defensive transition remain

    • How five consecutive errors led to the opening Minnesota goal

    • The shocking percentage of goals the Timbers have conceded from outside the box

    • How Antony’s unwillingness to use his left foot is creating so many problems

    • Seeing the long diagonal ball in transition as a recent pattern for opposition goals

    • How despite extremely aggressive and risky defensive positioning in the second half the team create barely a chance against a set defence

    • Finn’s on ball development is a bright spark in a struggling team

    • What would it take for us to buy into Phil-osophy?

    • Velde’s acting woes

    • T2 update

    • San Diego (A) preview


    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Introduction

    (1:16) Minnesota (A) - Pre-Game Press Conferences

    (3:29) Minnesota (A) - Starting XI & Formation Analysis

    (5:01) Minnesota (A) - First Half Analysis

    (11:29) Minnesota (A) - Second Half Analysis

    (15:33) Minnesota (A) - Post Game - Moment and Man of the Match

    (16:45) Minnesota (A) - Phil’s Post-Game Press Conference

    (17:57) Listener Question - What would it take for us to buy into Phil-sophy?

    (21:37) Timbers News, T2 Update, MLS News

    (23:14) San Diego (A) Preview


    Listener Topics and Questions!

    Thanks for listening and please do send us your questions or topics for analysis for the next episode: ⁠⁠⁠timberstimepod@gmail.com or DM us on IG: timberstimepod
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    24 mins
  • The Consolation of Phil-osophy - Portland Timbers vs LAFC

    The Consolation of Phil-osophy - Portland Timbers vs LAFC
    Apr 14 2026

    It's Timbers Time! This week Chris and Matt discuss a big win as the Timbers snatch a goal at the death to take three points from Western Conference leaders LAFC. We are impressed with our new midfield duo, discuss how much confidence can be taken from this victory with the opposition rotating heavily due to CCL, and ask whether Phil’s tactics (or lack thereof) leave us at the vicissitudes of fortune, or just the varying soccer IQ of the players on the pitch… RCTID!


    This episode's talking points include:

    • LAFC’s surprising lineup and tactics

    • Comparing Caicedo to previous Timbers defensive midfielders

    • How more technical players in the lineup helped us play out of the back, negate the press and ultimately create the opening goal

    • LAFC exploiting the same direct ball weakness we saw against Vancouver

    • Velde continues his”bully ball” and prime sh*thousery to entertaining effect

    • Mora’s “secretive” performance

    • Fory gets mad at his early sub, does the team have a tantrum problem?

    • Did LAFC risk playing this game with rookies because the Shield doesn’t matter?

    • The drama of the last minute VAR call and late late winner

    • The “vicissitudes of fortune” and what to make of Phil’s late game tactics

    • How deserved was this victory?

    • Did Velde’s more central positioning in this game marginalize Da Costa’s influence?

    • Phil expected Caicedo to go to a bigger club!

    • The irony of Phil’s post game comments of “not thinking everything’s against you”

    • The Apple TV Commentator’s subtle critique of the coaching

    • Ned gives Phil 14 games to prove himself and again talks about a third DP

    • The 107ist IG post doesn’t go down well with the fans

    • Is Neymar moving to… OHIO?

    • Minnesota (A) preview

    Content Warning: Filthier mouthed than than usual, some f bombs


    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Introduction

    (1:55) LAFC (H) - Phil’s Pre-Game Press Conference

    (3:04) LAFC (H) - Starting XI & Formation Analysis

    (7:23) LAFC (H) - First Half Analysis

    (24:17) LAFC (H) - Second Half Analysis

    (49:32) LAFC (H) - Post Game - Moment and Man of the Match

    (56:06) LAFC (H) - Phil’s Post Game Press Conference

    (59:52) Is the Team’s “Fabric” a Problem?

    (1:01:59) Ned Speaks to the Press - Gives Phil 14 Games To Prove Himself

    (1:04:40) Ned Speaks to the Press - A Potential 3 DP Roster - Are We Going for a DP Striker?

    (1:05:38) Timbers News - 107IST Instagram Post Goes Down Like a Lead Balloon

    (1:10:43) MLS News - Is Nemar going to…OHIO?

    (1:12:09) Minnesota (A) Preview


    Listener Topics and Questions!


    Thanks for listening and please do send us your questions or topics for analysis for the next episode: ⁠⁠⁠timberstimepod@gmail.com or DM us on IG: timberstimepod
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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Bottle Royale - Portland Timbers at Vancouver Whitecaps

    Bottle Royale - Portland Timbers at Vancouver Whitecaps
    Apr 8 2026
    It's Timbers Time! This week Chris and Matt do a deep dive into the frantic, rollercoaster of a game north of the border where the Timbers crashed to a late 3-2 defeat. There is a LOT to talk about in this game from goal of the season contenders to calamitous errors and bizarre tactical decisions and we really get into it! Then we talk about our desire for team accountability as passionate fans and the role of the media, getting into some ethical questions… Socrates would be proud. The philosopher, not the magnificently hirsute Brazilian international from the 80s, though maybe he’d give it a listen too. Plus Phil kindly confirms our abductive reasoning about his trend chasing coaching from last episode and Chris’s eagle eye spots something amusing in Phil’s home interior decor… RCTID!This episode's talking points include:Phil eschews tactical pragmatism and keeps a high lineCaicedo’s assured debutBreaking down the calamitous first goal - who’s to blame?Timbers counter attack vs high press systems risk/rewardMosquera’s Zidane impression - Goal of the Season already?How did Laborda not get sent off?Chara breaks the MLS yellow card record and why he isn’t a “dirty” playerIs the handball penalty just bad luck? Are handball rules fair?Where are the defensive substitutions?Phil’s continuing failures in situational coachingDo some good individual performances offer hope for the future?The meaning and ethics of “grilling” a coachThe importance of the independent press as a conduit for fan accountabilityThe dangers of the rise of “In-House” journalismPhil blames the ref and tries to create a “siege mentality” in the locker roomPhil confirms our fears about his trend-chasing management stylePhil’s amusing interior decor LAFC (H) PreviewContent Warning: Moderate swears, a single F bomb from Matt, the potty mouthTimestamps:(0:00) Introduction(2:00) Vancouver (A) - Starting XI & Formation Analysis(5:00) Vancouver (A) - First Half Analysis(31:59) Vancouver (A) - Second Half Analysis(56:48) Vancouver (A) - Post Game - Moment and Man of the Match(1:00:04) The Jaguars Incident and Press Conference Journalistic Ethics (1:08:11) Listener Question - What Qualifies as a Coach Getting “Grilled”?(1:11:45) The Timbers Media Landscape and the Importance of an Independent Press(1:23:13) Listener Question - Do Press Risk Access if they “Grill” or Speak Honestly”?(1:25:22) Vancouver (A) - Phil’s Press Conference Psychology and Siege Mentality(1:29:31) Tactics Follow Up - Phil Confirms Our Suspicions of Trend Chasing(1:34:34) Timbers News! MLS News!(1:37:17) LAFC (H) PreviewContent Links:When empathy replaces inquiry: Why ethics still matter in sports journalismhttps://www.quillmag.com/2026/01/14/when-empathy-replaces-inquiry-why-ethics-still-matter-in-sports-journalism/Sports Newsrooms Versus In-House Media: Cheerleading and Critical Reporting in News and Match Coveragehttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21674795211043105“Part of the Team”: In-House Sports Reporters Navigating the Journalistic PeripheryFans suffer as football clubs show journalists the red cardhttps://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/26/football-clubs-ban-journalists-newcastle-unitedSoccer reporter banned for doing journalismhttps://nwu.org/soccer-reporter-banned-for-doing-journalism/Phil Neville on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan & Tim Howardhttps://youtu.be/XX3I9ZLoFoEListener Topics and Questions!Thanks for listening and please do send us your questions or topics for analysis for the next episode:Email Us : ⁠⁠⁠timberstimepod@gmail.com DM us on IG: timberstimepod
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    1 hr and 41 mins
  • Galaxy Brain? Is Phil A Good Coach? - Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy

    Galaxy Brain? Is Phil A Good Coach? - Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy
    Mar 25 2026
    It's Timbers Time! This week Chris and Matt break down the eventful 1-1 tie with the LA Galaxy discussing the bright start, early red card, and tactical adjustments, one of which Phil pretended never happened…. Plus a deep dive on Phil’s coaching ability, assessing his performance (or lack thereof) in eight different categories from motivational ability to tactical identity and situational coachingThis episode's talking points include:How sustainable was our fast and exciting start for future games?Breaking down Kamal’s red card and was taking Kelsy off a bad decision?Phil’s positional shift that cost us the goal, that he later pretends he didn’t do!How a deep 4 back bunker then secured a point quite comfortablyVelde’s wild and shady bilingual press conference tells a lot of blunt truthsCoaching Special - Is Phil a Good Coach? Do the Team Look Fit, Organized and Motivated?Does Phil Have a Clear Tactical Identity or is he Chasing Tactical Trends?Quantifying differences between MLS and the EPL that should influence tactical identityIs a lack of tactical structure one of Phil’s biggest coaching failures?How evident the Timbers’ poor offensive rotations are compared to other teamsAn alarming statistic about the team’s defenseHow the team’s poor secondary press is leading to counter attacksIs the reward of the high press worth the risk?Vancouver (A) PreviewContent Warning: Moderate swearsTimestamps:(0:00) Introduction(2:07) LA Galaxy (H) - Starting XI & Formation Analysis(4:48) LA Galaxy (H) - First Half Analysis(22:13) LA Galaxy (H) - Second Half Analysis(28:24) LA Galaxy (H) - Post Game - Moment and Man of the Match(31:07) LA Galaxy (H) - Phil’s Press Conference(33:10) LA Galaxy (H) - Velde’’s Press Conference (36:22) Phil Neville and a Coaching Special - Introduction(39:09) Assessing Phil Neville - Performance vs Roster Spend and Player Assessment(42:53) Assessing Phil Neville - Is the Team Motivated, Fit, Focused and Playing Hard?(46:09) Assessing Phil Neville - Offensive and Defensive Set Pieces(49:29) Assessing Phil Neville - Substitution Patterns, Situational Coaching and Tactical Flexibility (55:28) Assessing Phil Neville - Tactical Identity, Meta Tactics and Following Trends(59:48) Assessing Phil Neville - Quantifying Why MLS Needs Different Tactics to the EPL(1:02:49) Assessing Phil Neville - Structural vs Organic Styles of Play and Soccer IQ(1:05:59) Assessing Phil Neville - Are the Timbers a Well Organized and Well Drilled Team?(1:07:26) Assessing Phil Neville - How Wing Turnovers are Emblematic of Poor Offensive Coaching(1:11:17) Assessing Phil Neville - The Team’s Long Term xG Conceded is Alarming(1:13:59) Assessing Phil Neville - The Ideal Press Vs The Timbers’ Press(1:20:12) Assessing Phil Neville - The Mess That Is The Secondary Press(1:22:23) Assessing Phil Neville - Is The Press Worth The Risk? Is it Working?(1:25:25) Assessing Phil Neville - Conclusion - Is Phil A Good Coach?(1:28:26) Call for Listener Topic Suggestions!(1:28:50) Timbers News! New Signings! MLS News(1:33:18) Vancouver (A) PreviewContent Links:Timbers pressing data from 2025: https://soccerment.com/mls-2025-data-driven-insights-from-the-first-5-rounds/The physical demands of Major League Soccer (including EPL comparison) : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12551844/Velde for Olympiacos vs PAOK including positional rotations to support a winger in posession: https://youtu.be/tHxl-JNxM6YWhat a highly structured and organized press looks like in MLS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAOawmYLOIYListener Topics and Questions:Thanks for listening and please do send us your questions or topics for analysis for the next episode :⁠⁠⁠timberstimepod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • Neville, Neville, They Broke Your Press - Portland Timbers at Houston Dynamo

    Neville, Neville, They Broke Your Press - Portland Timbers at Houston Dynamo
    Mar 18 2026

    It's Timbers Time! In this episode we analyse the heartbreaking injury time loss to Houston. Lots to talk about tactically in this one from formation and positional changes, Velde finally scoring in regular season play despite a penalty miss, and more issues with the press. Plus an Academy special! We break down the production of the Timbers youth team system since they joined MLS, how do they match up to other teams that joined MLS around the same time? How about other franchises with limited catchment areas? We get stuck into the data with surprising results and wrap up with an LA Galaxy preview.


    This episode's talking points include:

    - Finding the positives in a third defeat in a row

    - What went wrong for the Houston winner?

    - Should DaCosta play the 8 more regularly?

    - How suited is Guerra to playing as a solo striker?

    - Is Pantemis’ lack of confidence becoming a problem? Do we need to think about a replacement GK?

    - Velde misses a pen but finally scores in the regular season! Will this be the confidence boost he needs to start a run of good form?

    - Pressure on Phil after 3 straight losses, are his press conference excuses valid?

    - Does dominating possession mean you controlled the game?

    - Academy Special! We do a deep dive into the Timbers academy production since the club joined MLS in 2011

    - What are the TImbers worse at than lowly Chivas USA?

    - What CBA / Roster Rules limit Eric Izoita’s appearances for the Timbers?

    - How much of a problem is Jimer Fory’s disciplinary record?

    - Galaxy (H) Preview


    Content Warning: Moderate swears


    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Introduction

    (1:23) Houston (A) - Starting XI & Formation Analysis

    (2:59) Houston (A) - First Half Analysis

    (13:56) Houston (A) - Second Half Analysis

    (31:40) Houston (A) -Post Game - Moment and Man of the Match

    (33:20) Houston (A) - Post Game - Should DaCosta Play the 8 More Regularly?

    (35:45) Houston (A) - Post Game - Gage Guerra as a Solo Striker

    (38:20) Houston (A) - Post Game - Form and Confidence Worries for Pantemis

    (40:50) Houston (A) - Post Game - Final Thoughts and a few Positives

    (41:54) Houston (A) - Phil’s Press Conferences -

    (48:35) Academy Special!

    (59:27) Roster Rules / CBA and Eric Izoita

    (1:03:01) Listener Question - Is Jimer Fory’s Timbers Future in Question due to his Disciplinary Record?

    (1:05:12) Timbers News! New Signings! MLS News!

    (1:10:34) Galaxy (H) Preview


    Thanks for listening and please do send us your questions for the next episode:⁠⁠⁠timberstimepod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Ned's Atomic Dumpster Fire - Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps

    Ned's Atomic Dumpster Fire - Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps
    Mar 11 2026

    It's Timbers Time! In this episode we break down the 4-1 defeat to Vancouver, talk about new faces including young academy star Eric Izoita and new signings Caicedo and Aravena. We focus mostly though on our GM Special - what makes a good GM and does Ned earn that accolade? We continue our dive into the Timbers roster spend history assessing the team’s history of DP signings and all of Ned’s pickups since he took over as GM in 2022.


    This episode's talking points include:

    - Izoita’s Dream Debut!

    - A New DMid! We assess the signing of Caicedo

    - GM Special! What makes a good GM?

    - The Mess and the Press vs Vancouver

    - Dissecting Phil’s Post Game Press Conference

    - Rating the Timbers DP signings since 2011

    - Ned’s signings as GM

    - Hit, Miss or Maybe?

    - Criticizing Ned’s Strategic Approach

    - T2 Scouting Report!

    - Houston (A) Preview


    Content Warning: Moderate swears. Gold stars to us for not “effing and blinding” at this terrible performance, frankly.

    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Introduction

    (1:43) Vancouver (H) - Starting XI & Formation Analysis

    (4:27) Vancouver (H) - Tifo Shoutout

    (5:09) Vancouver (H) - First Half Analysis

    (14:25) Vancouver (H) - Second Half Analysis

    (25:23) Vancouver (H) - Moment and Man of the Match

    (27:06) Vancouver (H) - Phil’s Press Conference

    (30:40) Listener Question! Kelsy vs Guerra

    (35:11) GM Special! What makes a good GM?

    (38:45) GM Special! Timbers All Time DP Signings

    (56:43) GM Special! Ned’s Signings - Hit or Miss?

    (1:01:06) Criticizing Ned’s Strategic Approach

    (1:08:15) T2 Scouting Report!

    (1:11:19) Timbers News! New Signings! MLS News!

    (1:17:48) Houston (A) Preview


    Thanks for listening and please do send us your questions for the next episode: ⁠⁠⁠timberstimepod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • Altitude Sickness - Portland Timbers at Colorado Rapids

    Altitude Sickness - Portland Timbers at Colorado Rapids
    Mar 5 2026

    In this episode we break down the 2-0 defeat to Colorado, there's a lot to learn from this one! We also dissect a decade of Timbers transfer spending data, tackle this week's news and look forward to the upcoming Cascadia Cup game against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

    This episode's talking points include:

    - What happened to the press?

    - Pantemis vs Steffen goalkeeping performances

    - How Colorado exploited the Timbers' man marking system

    - Analysis of Set Piece defending breakdowns

    - Was Fory's red justified?

    - How much do we miss having a true number 10?

    - The Timbers net transfer spend since the MLS Cup Season has some big surprises

    - Does our transfer spend history explain our pivot to younger DPs?

    - Expectations for Vancouver at home next week


    Content Warning: Moderate swears


    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Introduction

    (1:15) Colorado (A) - Formation Analysis

    (3:51) Colorado (A) - First Half Analysis

    (18:43) Colorado (A) - Second Half Analysis

    (37:07) Colorado (A) - Timbers' Man of the Match

    (40:53) Colorado (A) - Tactics Takeaways

    (44:25) Front Office Special! A Decade of Net Transfer Spend

    (57:02) Timbers News!

    (1:01:14) Vancouver at Home Preview


    Thanks for listening and please do send us your questions for the next episode!

    ⁠⁠timberstimepod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • The Home Opener - Portland Timbers vs Columbus Crew

    The Home Opener - Portland Timbers vs Columbus Crew
    Feb 26 2026

    In our second episode we breakdown the big win in the home opener, do a deep dive on a decade of front office spending levels, and talk fan fest DP number 9 speculation!

    Thanks to everyone who tuned into our first episode season preview, we were blown away by the number of listeners! Truly appreciated.

    Content Warning: A couple of S bombs

    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Introduction

    (2:49) Timbers vs Crew - Formation Analysis

    (4:50) Timbers vs Crew - First Half Analysis

    (18:58) Timbers vs Crew - Second Half Analysis

    (25:01) Timbers vs Crew - Moment and Man of the Match

    (27:45) Timbers vs Crew - Notable Player Performances

    (33:39) Timbers vs Crew - Tactics Breakdown

    (37:10) Fan Fest! What we Learned

    (52:51) Front Office Special! Ownership and Investment Breakdown

    (1:07:20) Colorado (A) Preview

    New mics are hooked up; audio should be much better outside of us still waiting for our pop filters, causing the odd plosive issue.

    Thanks for listening and please do send us your questions for the next episode:

    ⁠timberstimepod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 13 mins