Seattle Sounders v Portland Timbers: The only option is hard work, claims Neville

Portland Timbers head coach Phil Neville believes hard work is the only solution as he aims to steer his team into the playoffs.

The Timbers twice conceded the lead in a thrilling 2-2 draw with FC Dallas last time out.

That result delayed the Timbers clinching a playoff spot, but Neville's team have the chance to get the job done when they face their rivals, the Seattle Sounders, on Saturday.

Should Portland avoid defeat, then they will guarantee themselves a postseason place.

And though Neville conceded his team still have lots to improve on, he feels the solution is a simple one. 

"We lacked experience in the end to see out the game, but you come away from it and think we’re so close," he told reporters.

"I’m super positive. We’ve just got to keep believing in what we’re doing. I’ve spoken to the team, I’ve spoken to the technical staff and I think in life you only have one option, in any circumstance, and that is to work even harder.

"We are incredibly blessed and lucky. We’ve got a group of players willing to run through a brick wall for me, for the other players.

"We have to get out on the training pitch, work even harder, keep tweaking, keep improving the little details – seeing out games, taking our chances, playing the extra pass. These are things we’re going to improve as a team."

The Sounders, meanwhile, head into the clash with their postseason berth already ensured following a draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders - Albert Rusnak

Rusnak scored and provided an assist for the Sounders in their 2-2 draw with Vancouver last time out.

With seven assists in MLS this season, Rusnak leads the way for Seattle.

Portland Timbers - Kristoffer Velde

Velde was involved in 11 of Portland’s 24 shots against Dallas (seven shots, four chances created).

Indeed, Velde has been involved in 34 shots in his first six career MLS matches (23 shots, 11 chances created), 12 more than any other Timbers player since he made his debut in late August.

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE WIN

Portland have won just one of their last 11 away matches in all competitions (D4 L6), though three of their last four away from home have ended in draws.

The Timbers have managed just four goals over those 11 matches.

Seattle, meanwhile, have lost only one of their last 19 regular-season home matches dating back to September 2024 (W10 D8).

The Sounders have scored and conceded at least twice in each of their last five home matches, tied for the second-longest such streak in MLS history.

However, Portland have lost just one of their last 10 meetings with the Sounders (W5 D4), though four of the last six matches have ended in draws (one win each).

Prior to the last six matches, only three of the previous 32 meetings between Seattle and Portland in all competitions ended level.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders - 57.7%

Draw - 22%

Portland Timbers - 20.3%