Portland Timbers v New England Revolution: Neville eyes response to 'unacceptable' Toronto defeat

Phil Neville described the Portland Timbers' 3-0 defeat to Toronto FC as "one of the poorest performances of his managerial career", and he is eyeing a response this weekend. 

Neville watched on as strikes from Alonso Coello, Tyrese Spicer and an Ian Smith own-goal sealed the win for Toronto, who were without a win in their last four league games. 

It was a damaging blow for the Timbers, who had gone unbeaten in their last three MLS fixtures and were looking to close the gap at the Western Conference summit. 

They find themselves fourth in the division, nine points behind leaders San Diego FC, and welcome the New England Revolution to Providence Park up next. 

"I think in life, sometimes you have to be honest, and I have to take accountability for that performance," Neville said. "I would say it was one of the poorest performances of my whole managerial career, from the first minute until the last minute.

"I thought it was totally unacceptable. I thought it was men versus boys. The qualities we had shown in the first half of the season were not there. I think that was a massive kick up the backside for that group of players.

"Unacceptable from every single player bar two of three that came out with any kind of, not going to say positive, but standing in the group. It was the poorest performance since I came to this football club, and we have to get back to work as quickly as possible."

New England, meanwhile, produced a stunning comeback in their last league fixture, coming from three goals down to draw 3-3 with the Colorado Rapids. 

After Ted Ku-DiPietro had put the Rapids three goals in front, Sam Vines' own-goal gave New England hope before two goals in six minutes late on sealed a share of the spoils. 

It's a result that leaves the Revolution 11th in the Eastern Conference, and while impressed by the turnaround, head coach Caleb Porter insisted there was room to improve.

"Most teams down 3-0 would probably think the game is done, and I am proud that the group refused to lose when, with 25 minutes to go, we managed to claw three goals back," Porter said. 

"Obviously disappointed in the three defensive plays. I thought we came out in a positive way, but then we gave away the first two real chances they had in transition, so that part was not good enough. For me, it's our rest defence. We need to be in better shape.

"For sure, that part of it will be something we need to reflect on, but the story is the comeback. I have been in this league for over 100 games and I have never had a team come from three goals down to get a point."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portland Timbers – David da Costa

It proved to be a difficult day for Portland against Toronto, with talisman and MLS All-Star Da Costa being held to zero shots and one chance created in that defeat.

The Timbers have won six of their nine MLS matches this season when Da Costa has a goal contribution (D2 L1) and twice in the 10 matches he hasn't had one (D4 L4).

NE Revolution – Carles Gil

Gil's late penalty sparked the Revolution's revival as they rescued a point against the Rapids, stepping up to score his penalty before Maximiliano Urruti netted the equaliser. 

Since the beginning of the 2021 season, Gil has scored all 12 of his spot-kicks in the regular season, the most penalty attempts with a miss by any MLS player in that time. 

MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN

Eight of the 11 all-time meetings between the Timbers and Revolution have been draws (Portland W2, New England W1), including all five matches since 2016. In the post-shootout era (since 2000), only one MLS fixture has had six consecutive draws (New England vs. Chicago Fire, 2021-24).

But Portland are favoured here despite having zero shots on target in their defeat at Toronto, with their first shot of any kind not coming until the second half. It was the Timbers' fifth MLS match ever with zero shots on goal and their first since August 2023 at Houston.

New England, meanwhile, overcame a three-goal deficit to draw with Colorado on Saturday. Prior to that match, the Revolution had lost all 90 of their all-time MLS matches when trailing by at least three goals (incl. playoffs).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Portland Timbers – 50.2%

Draw – 25.2%

NE Revolution – 24.6%