Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance Prediction: Key Stats and Insights

Portland Timbers II welcome Tacoma Defiance to Providence Park in MLS Next Pro Group Stage action on 31 May 2026, with both sides eyeing a key result in the Pacific Division race. The hosts sit high in the divisional standings and are also well-placed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, while Tacoma arrive with improving form and a recent uptick in results.

Portland Timbers II come into this clash ranked 2nd in the Pacific Division with 20 points from 11 matches, boasting six wins and no draws but also five defeats. Their overall goal difference of -1 (14 scored, 15 conceded) underlines how tight their games have been, and their home record at Providence Park is mixed, with three wins and four losses from seven. Every point matters as they also occupy 5th place in the Eastern Conference with the same 20-point tally and a description indicating they are currently in the MLS Next Pro Play Offs 1/8-finals zone.

Tacoma Defiance, meanwhile, are 6th in the Pacific Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference, both positions coming with 14 points from 12 matches and a goal difference of -5 (13 for, 18 against). Despite the negative differential, their recent league form string of WWLWW suggests momentum is shifting in their favour. With both teams familiar foes and often involved in high-stakes regional encounters, this fixture shapes up as one of the standout MLS Next Pro games of the weekend for those looking for Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance predictions and betting insight.

Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance Key Stats

• Portland Timbers II have taken 20 points from 11 league matches (6 wins, 0 draws, 5 losses) with 14 goals for and 15 against.
• In their last five MLS Next Pro meetings listed, Portland Timbers II and Tacoma Defiance have each won twice, with one draw between them.
• Both sides average around 1.3–1.4 goals scored per match this season, with Portland Timbers II at 1.4 and Tacoma Defiance at 1.3 in league play.

Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 2 vs 6
• Points: 20 vs 14
• Goals For: 14 vs 13
• Goals Against: 15 vs 18
• Clean Sheets: 4 vs 3

The standings paint a picture of a Portland Timbers II side that has been more effective across its 11 matches, converting six of them into wins and pushing themselves into 2nd place in the Pacific Division. Their 14 goals scored and 15 conceded in league play highlight a team that walks a fine line between attacking ambition and defensive vulnerability, but their points tally of 20 keeps them firmly in the playoff frame, as reflected by their 5th-place ranking and playoff qualification description in the Eastern Conference grouping.

Tacoma Defiance trail by six points and sit 6th in the Pacific Division with 14 points from 12 matches. Their 13 goals scored and 18 conceded show a similar scoring output to Portland but with slightly more defensive issues. However, their league form string of WWLWW indicates an upward trend, and their 11th place in the Eastern Conference suggests they are still within striking distance of climbing the table if they can sustain recent performances. With both teams conceding at a rate of 1.6 goals per game in the broader statistical profile, this matchup could hinge on which defence holds its nerve at key moments.

Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance Key Matchups

Colin Griffith vs Tacoma Defensive Unit

Portland Timbers II’s most prominent attacking reference in the current MLS Next Pro season data is Colin Griffith. The 21-year-old attacker has made 1 appearance and is also listed as the team’s top contributor across goals, assists, yellow cards and red cards categories, even though he is yet to register a goal or assist. His presence up front, combined with Portland’s average of 1.4 goals per match and their tendency to strike heavily between minutes 46 and 75, puts the onus on Tacoma Defiance’s back line to stay organised through the middle phases of the game.

Tacoma’s defensive metrics show 19 goals conceded in 12 league fixtures, an average of 1.6 per match, with particular vulnerability between minutes 61 and 90 where they concede a high share of their goals. If Griffith can occupy defenders and help Portland exploit those late-game windows, the hosts will feel confident about creating the kind of chances that have already yielded six league wins.

Midfield Battle: Portland’s Engine Room vs Tacoma’s Creators

With no individual Tacoma player standing out in the top scorers or assists lists, the contest may be decided by how each midfield unit controls tempo and territory. Portland Timbers II’s attacking pattern shows a strong output between minutes 46 and 75, while Tacoma Defiance’s goals for are most frequent in the 46–60 minute range as well. Both sides, therefore, tend to come alive after half-time, suggesting that whoever wins the midfield duels in that period could tilt the balance.

Portland’s midfielders, drawn from a deep squad featuring players like C. Cruthers, V. Enriquez and Lucas Fernandez-Kim, will look to limit Tacoma’s transitions and keep the visitors from exploiting their own productive 46–60 window. Conversely, Tacoma’s mix of midfielders such as X. Gnaulati, P. Kingston and Daniel Robles will aim to disrupt Portland’s rhythm and feed a young, mobile attacking line that averages 1.3 goals per match.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

This is one of MLS Next Pro’s most established regional matchups, with a long run of recent meetings. The last ten listed encounters show a finely balanced rivalry with momentum swings for both sides. Across the five most recent clashes cited below, each team has two wins and there has been one draw, underlining how little separates them when they meet.

• 25 August 2025: Portland Timbers II 2-1 Tacoma Defiance (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 32)
• 28 July 2025: Tacoma Defiance 1-2 Portland Timbers II (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 26)
• 19 May 2025: Portland Timbers II 2-1 Tacoma Defiance (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 13)
• 9 September 2024: Tacoma Defiance 5-2 Portland Timbers II (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 35)
• 1 July 2024: Tacoma Defiance 1-0 Portland Timbers II (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 22)

Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance Prediction

Recent form, league position and the predictive metrics all lean slightly towards Portland Timbers II, but with a significant caveat. The probability breakdown gives Portland a 45% chance of victory, the draw also at 45%, and Tacoma just 10%, which strongly suggests a home win or stalemate scenario rather than an away upset. Portland’s strong record in the latest head-to-head clashes, particularly the three straight wins recorded in 2025, reinforces that edge.

At the same time, Tacoma Defiance arrive with an impressive WWLWW league form line and an attacking output of 10 goals in their last five, averaging 2 per game. Both teams concede at around 1.6 goals per match in their wider statistical profile, and the under/over splits show that while many games have stayed under 2.5 goals, both have the capacity to open up. With the official goals projection fields not giving explicit score values and the advice centred on a double chance for Portland Timbers II or draw, the most reasonable expectation is a tight, low-scoring contest shaded by the hosts’ greater consistency and home advantage.

Predicted Score: Portland Timbers II 1-0 Tacoma Defiance

Portland Timbers II League Form

LWWLW

Tacoma Defiance League Form

WWLWW

Portland Timbers II Possible Starting Lineup

M. Deisenhofer (GK); B. Alex, C. Ferguson, Charles Ondo, N. Lund (Defenders); C. Cruthers, V. Enriquez, Lucas Fernandez-Kim, M. Kissel, N. Zendejas (Midfielders); Colin Griffith (Forward).

Portland Timbers II have a deep and youthful squad, particularly in defence and midfield, where players like B. Alex, C. Ferguson and Charles Ondo provide options across the back line. In midfield, the likes of C. Cruthers, V. Enriquez and Lucas Fernandez-Kim can give the team energy and balance, supporting Colin Griffith as the focal point in attack. With four clean sheets recorded across home and away fixtures this season, a compact defensive shape and disciplined pressing at Providence Park are likely priorities, especially given Tacoma’s strong recent scoring run.

Tacoma Defiance Possible Starting Lineup

M. Anchor (GK); Kevin Bonilla, Andrew Brown, S. Hawkins, Mark O'Neill (Defenders); X. Gnaulati, P. Kingston, Daniel Robles, N. Petković (Midfielders); R. Jauregui, Y. Tsukanome (Forwards).

Tacoma Defiance also possess a broad squad, with several defensive options such as Kevin Bonilla, Andrew Brown and S. Hawkins, and a midfield core including X. Gnaulati, P. Kingston and Daniel Robles. Up front, attackers like R. Jauregui and Y. Tsukanome give them mobility and a goal threat that has produced 15 league goals so far. With three clean sheets this season, Tacoma have shown they can be solid at the back, but their away record of 11 goals conceded in five matches suggests they may opt for a slightly more cautious setup, looking to hit Portland in transition.

Portland Timbers II Team News

No significant absences reported.

Tacoma Defiance Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Portland Timbers II:

• None reported.

Tacoma Defiance:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back Portland Timbers II in the double chance market (home win or draw). The prediction metrics give Portland and the draw a combined 90% probability (45% each), with Tacoma at just 10%. Portland’s superior league position and strong recent head-to-head record at Providence Park support a conservative but solid angle on the hosts avoiding defeat. (No odds data available.)
• Goals Tip: Consider under 3.5 goals. Both teams average around 1.3–1.4 goals scored per match and 1.6 conceded, and the under/over splits show far more matches landing under higher goal thresholds. Portland, for example, have been under 3.5 goals in 9 of 11 league games, while Tacoma have also tended to stay below that line. The predictive guidance also points to a relatively tight encounter. (No odds data available.)
• Value Tip: Portland Timbers II to win with a one-goal margin. Their three most recent wins over Tacoma in 2025 were all by a single goal (2-1, 2-1, 2-1), and their overall goal difference of -1 suggests they are involved in narrow contests. With Tacoma in good form but still defensively fragile away from home, a Portland victory by a single goal looks a logical higher-risk, higher-reward angle. (No odds data available.)

How to Watch Portland Timbers II vs Tacoma Defiance

Broadcast coverage varies by region. General guide:

• Spain: Movistar LaLiga
• UK: Premier Sports
• Australia: beIN Sports
• India: FanCode
• MENA: beIN Sports
• South America: ESPN / Disney+
• Africa: SuperSport

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.