The Timbers are in search of their sixth Cascadia Cup (fourth in MLS era).
There's more than just three regular-season points on the line when Portland face either Seattle or Vancouver. It's civic pride, bragging rights, and most importantly, three Cascadia Cup points up for grabs.
This Sunday at Providence Park, the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC square off for the first time in 2024 (1:45pm PT, TICKETS, free on MLS Season Pass, FOX) with both clubs in serious need for a result in the regional competition.
But first, what is the Cascadia Cup?
A supporters-created regional competition, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver all take part in the Cascadia Cup. First contested in 2004, the competition spans two levels of the U.S. Soccer landscape with it being active during the three clubs' USL eras. After Seattle entered MLS in 2009, Vancouver and Portland continued the competition between the two. When they too joined MLS in 2011, it brought back the three-club rivalry.
Since then, the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps are tied for total cups with seven each. Seattle has the slight edge with five MLS-era Cascadia Cups to the Whitecaps' four. The Portland Timbers have five total Cups to their name (three of them coming in MLS), having last won it in 2022.
So far in 2024, the Vancouver Whitecaps have taken the early lead, handing both Seattle (on the road) and Portland (at BC Place) a loss. Sunday is the first of three meetings between Portland and Seattle, and with each having two more games with Vancouver throughout the season, the race for the Cascadia Cup is still very much open.
2024 Cascadia Cup Standings
Club | GP | Pts. | W | L | D | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vancouver | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +3 |
Portland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 |
Seattle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -2 |
The Timbers host Seattle this Sunday and then again on Aug. 31 before ending the regular season at Lumen Field on Oct. 19. With one match against Vancouver in the books, Portland get one home match versus the Whitecaps on June 22 and then again at BC Place on Sep. 28. There are still 15 points available for the Timbers in their fight for their sixth Cascadia Cup.
