When you're evaluating the most fun MLS soccer site names to say out loud, Stumptown Footy is inarguably among them. Also, if you're looking for Portland Timbers intel, they're a great place to start ... which is why we turned to the site's Sam Svilar to answer our burning questions about The Other Weird City Soccer Team heading into tonight's match.
Also, this Instagram picture from the club, apropos of nothing, is hilarious:
What’s going on with Jonathan Rodriguez, and in his absence, how have the other attackers (particularly Felipe Mora and Antony) been doing?
For the longest time, we weren't really sure either! He was injured most of preseason, and then returned to Uruguay to work out visa issues. The good news is that it sounds like (according to [Timbers] head coach Phil Neville) that's close to being sorted, and he is anticipated to return to training within the next week. Neville expects him to "return to the field" by the end of the month, so he appears to be on track to make his 2025 debut soon.
That being said, his return isn't super urgent. Antony has gotten off to a hot start with three goals in two games (four total on the year), and if he can consistently show that final product — the biggest knock on his game so far — then he could be a valuable contributor this year. Felipe Mora is starting to wake up as well, with two goals in the past three games, and his hold-up play is proving especially valuable to help bring Antony or Santiago Moreno into the play. Six goals in two games for Portland is nothing to sneeze at, but the question is if that pace is sustainable.
David da Costa’s new to the league — what percentage of his powers do you see him at now compared to where he’ll be at the end of the season?
I would say he's at like 50-60%, and trending upwards. Da Costa is very willing to combine with his fellow attackers, not being afraid to drift into the midfield to collect the ball. He is also a willing dribbler from basically anywhere, and appears more ready to ride a challenge than his predecessor at the number 10 position. His biggest growth area is building chemistry with his teammates, and learning their tendencies so he can find them with that final pass. Too often he'll zig when others will zag, but I expect that to develop as the season goes on. He won't hit Evander heights, but I wouldn't be shocked if he is in the 10g/10a range by season's end.
I agree that his seat would have been warm — but it's stayed cool so far. I think the entire city was ready to grab the torches and pitchforks after that 4-1 opening day debacle of a loss, but Neville's squad has buttoned it up and showed that they might be more gritty than last year. They're already off to a better start through six games than last year, so things are tentatively trending up.
As long as the side keeps getting results, the fans will be on his side. Timbers GM Ned Grabavoy has a bit of a higher opinion of him than the fans in my opinion, so it would take a big collapse and this team missing out on the postseason entirely (or another wild card round exit) for temperatures to turn. And for what it's worth, none of those outcomes are out of the question in 2025.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. You can comment here if you’re a subscriber, or reach out via Bluesky.
When you're evaluating the most fun MLS soccer site names to say out loud, Stumptown Footy is inarguably among them. Also, if you're looking for Portland Timbers intel, they're a great place to start ... which is why we turned to the site's Sam Svilar to answer our burning questions about The Other Weird City Soccer Team heading into tonight's match.
Also, this Instagram picture from the club, apropos of nothing, is hilarious:
What’s going on with Jonathan Rodriguez, and in his absence, how have the other attackers (particularly Felipe Mora and Antony) been doing?
For the longest time, we weren't really sure either! He was injured most of preseason, and then returned to Uruguay to work out visa issues. The good news is that it sounds like (according to [Timbers] head coach Phil Neville) that's close to being sorted, and he is anticipated to return to training within the next week. Neville expects him to "return to the field" by the end of the month, so he appears to be on track to make his 2025 debut soon.
That being said, his return isn't super urgent. Antony has gotten off to a hot start with three goals in two games (four total on the year), and if he can consistently show that final product — the biggest knock on his game so far — then he could be a valuable contributor this year. Felipe Mora is starting to wake up as well, with two goals in the past three games, and his hold-up play is proving especially valuable to help bring Antony or Santiago Moreno into the play. Six goals in two games for Portland is nothing to sneeze at, but the question is if that pace is sustainable.
David da Costa’s new to the league — what percentage of his powers do you see him at now compared to where he’ll be at the end of the season?
I would say he's at like 50-60%, and trending upwards. Da Costa is very willing to combine with his fellow attackers, not being afraid to drift into the midfield to collect the ball. He is also a willing dribbler from basically anywhere, and appears more ready to ride a challenge than his predecessor at the number 10 position. His biggest growth area is building chemistry with his teammates, and learning their tendencies so he can find them with that final pass. Too often he'll zig when others will zag, but I expect that to develop as the season goes on. He won't hit Evander heights, but I wouldn't be shocked if he is in the 10g/10a range by season's end.
We figured Phil Neville might be on the proverbial hot seat early were the Timbers to have a bad start, but given that it’s been pretty good, what’s the front office and fan opinion of him?
I agree that his seat would have been warm — but it's stayed cool so far. I think the entire city was ready to grab the torches and pitchforks after that 4-1 opening day debacle of a loss, but Neville's squad has buttoned it up and showed that they might be more gritty than last year. They're already off to a better start through six games than last year, so things are tentatively trending up.
As long as the side keeps getting results, the fans will be on his side. Timbers GM Ned Grabavoy has a bit of a higher opinion of him than the fans in my opinion, so it would take a big collapse and this team missing out on the postseason entirely (or another wild card round exit) for temperatures to turn. And for what it's worth, none of those outcomes are out of the question in 2025.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. You can comment here if you’re a subscriber, or reach out via Bluesky.
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