Portland Timbers head coach Phil Neville has called on his side to "raise the levels" in game two of their MLS Cup playoff series against San Diego FC.

The Timbers lost game one 2-1 at Snapdragon Stadium, with goals from Onni Valakari and Anders Dreyer enough for San Diego to take the lead in the best-of-three series.

Neville's team will also be without Jimer Fory for their home leg after the midfielder received two yellow cards in quick succession during the first encounter. 

Portland must win at Providence Park on Saturday to stay in the playoffs, and Neville has urged his side to match the energy from the home supporters.

"I think the belief in the team is no different than it was before [last] weekend," said Neville.

"I think we take a lot of positives from the [last] game and a lot of learnings from the game as well. We scored three goals against RSL to get through and I think we're going to need to score probably two or three goals to get through [San Diego] in this game.

"We want to take it to a third match. I think on Saturday, we’re going to need commitment from every single player, every single staff member and every single supporter.

"One thing I would say is that our supporters never let us down. One thing that gives me goosebumps about this football club and makes me proud to work for this football club is that on Saturday, I think [the supporters] are going to raise the roof and we need to raise the levels with them as well."

After also beating the Timbers 4-0 on the road on Decision Day, San Diego have won each of their last matches and have scored 10 goals across those games.

San Diego also recorded the best away record in the Western Conference during the regular season, winning 37 points from 17 matches, seven more points than any other side.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portland Timbers – Felipe Mora

Felipe Mora has scored four career playoff goals, with only Diego Valeri (six) and Sebastian Blanco (five) scoring more in Timbers' MLS Cup playoff history.

All four of Mora's playoff goals have come in home matches, with the Timbers earning two wins and a draw in those games.

San Diego FC – Anders Dreyer

Dreyer recorded a brace on his last trip to Providence Park, his fifth multi-goal road game of the 2025 season.

His five away MLS matches with multiple goals are tied for the most in a single season in MLS history (regular season + playoffs), along with Lionel Messi (2025) and Mamadou Diallo (2000).

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

After San Diego clinched victory in 90 minutes in game one, the Opta supercomputer predicts game two will be decided on penalties.

San Diego finished the regular season unbeaten in their last 10 away games. The only two longer streaks in MLS history within the same season (regular season and playoffs) are Los Angeles FC’s 11-game run earlier this season and a 12-game streak by FC Dallas in 2010.

Despite the game one loss, Portland have won four (D1 L2) of their last seven playoff matches. The Timbers haven't dropped back-to-back postseason meetings to the same opponent since the 2013 Western Conference Final against Real Salt Lake.

San Diego have shut out Portland in two of their three meetings this season, including at Providence Park on Decision Day. The Timbers haven't been shut out by the same opponent twice in the same season across all competitions since Sporting Kansas City in 2018.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Portland Timbers – 36.8%

Draw – 26.3%

San Diego FC – 36.9%