Timbers2 Falls Short in Season Opener Against Real Monarchs

Portland Timbers2 kicked off their 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season with a hard-fought battle at Providence Park, but despite a promising start, they fell 3-2 to the visiting Real Monarchs. A stunning free-kick goal from Alex Moreno gave T2 an early advantage, but the Monarchs responded with three unanswered goals. A late effort from Timbers Academy player Bryce VanVoorhis reignited Portland’s hopes, but the home side was ultimately unable to complete the comeback.

Academy Talent Takes Center Stage

A bright spot in T2’s season opener was the contribution of homegrown talent. Both goals for Portland came from Timbers Academy products, highlighting the club’s commitment to developing young players. Moreno, a standout midfielder who signed with T2 ahead of the 2024 season, opened the scoring in the 19th minute with an expertly placed free kick. VanVoorhis, still an active member of the Timbers Academy, made his mark in the 84th minute, scoring his first professional goal with a well-taken finish inside the box.

Beyond the goal scorers, the match saw several Timbers Academy graduates making their professional debuts. Ricardo Bautista, Kai Carlson, Eric Izoita, and Jacob Izoita all earned their first minutes in MLS NEXT Pro, demonstrating Portland’s reliance on homegrown development. MLS SuperDraft pick Gage Guerra also made his professional debut, adding another layer of excitement for the club’s future.

Breakdown of Key Moments

First Half:

• 19’ – Alex Moreno’s Free Kick (POR 1-0): Moreno curled a brilliant free kick from outside the box, beating the Real Monarchs’ wall and tucking the ball just under the crossbar.
• 32’ – Aiden Hezarkhani Levels for Monarchs (1-1): Omar Marquez played a precise pass from midfield to Hezarkhani, who cut inside and launched a shot into the top-left corner.
• 35’ – Owen Anderson Puts Monarchs Ahead (1-2): Hezarkhani turned provider, sending a well-placed cross to Anderson, who converted with a clinical one-touch finish inside the box.

Second Half:

• 78’ – Hezarkhani Strikes Again (1-3): Marquez once again played a decisive role, threading a through ball to Hezarkhani, who calmly slotted home his second goal of the night.
• 84’ – VanVoorhis Pulls One Back (2-3): Receiving a diagonal ball inside the penalty area, VanVoorhis controlled the pass under pressure and fired a composed shot into the near post, marking his professional debut with a goal.

Match Analysis and Takeaways

While the result was not what Portland hoped for, there were several positives to take away. The influence of the Timbers Academy was undeniable, with two homegrown players scoring and multiple academy graduates making their debuts. The presence of young talent suggests that T2 is on the right path in fostering player development for the senior team.

However, defensive lapses proved costly. After taking the lead, Portland struggled to maintain control, allowing the Monarchs to capitalize on key moments. Hezarkhani and Marquez proved a dangerous duo for the visitors, orchestrating all three of Salt Lake’s goals.

Despite the loss, T2 showed resilience. They pressed aggressively in the final minutes, with VanVoorhis' goal reigniting hope. If they can tighten their defensive structure and maintain attacking fluidity, Portland has the potential to build on this performance in upcoming matches.

What’s Next for Timbers2?

Portland will look to bounce back quickly as they prepare to host Town FC at Providence Park on Wednesday, March 26. The match, set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV and MLSNEXTPro.com.

With young talent continuing to make strides, T2 will aim to convert promising performances into positive results in the matches ahead.