The stage is set. Tacoma Defiance is hosting the Portland Timbers on Tuesday in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT at Starfire Stadium (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, CBS Sports, and Paramount+.
U.S. OPEN CUP: The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination tournament comprised of team’s that are affiliated with USSF sanctioned leagues. Founded in 1914, the competition is the oldest operating soccer competition in the country.
HOW THEY GOT HERE:
Defiance: Defeated Oakland Roots 2-1 in the 3rd Round with goals from Peter Kingston and Osaze De Rosario.
Timbers: The Portland side had byes for the first three rounds. This will be their first fixture of the Open Cup.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: The winner will take on the victors of Sacramento Republic-San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16.
FIRST-EVER MEETING: While the Sounders-Timbers rivalry dates all the way back to 1975, this will be the first-ever matchup between the Timbers First Team & MLS NEXT Pro’s Tacoma Defiance.
OUTSTANDING OFFENSE: Defiance has already racked up 22 goals in MLS NEXT Pro competition in 2025, making them the highest-scoring team in the league.
DOMINANT DE ROSARIO: Defiance forward Osaze De Rosario currently leads MLS NEXT Pro with eight goals to show for so far this season. He was named MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month in April after tallying five goals in four consecutive league matches.
UNBEATEN AT HOME: Defiance has yet to lose at Starfire Stadium in 2025, heading into Tuesday’s match on a 6-match unbeaten streak at home. Their only two losses this year have come from road matches against Ventura County and LAFC 2.
LAST ONE STANDING: Of the 10 MLS NEXT Pro clubs who participated in the 2025 Open Cup competition, Tacoma Defiance is the only team remaining after the first three rounds.
SUCCESS ON BOTH SIDES: Tacoma currently sits in first place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Western Conference with 15 points and a 5-0-2 record. The Timbers are 3rd in the West in MLS with 18 points and a 5-3-3 record.
BACK AFTER A BREAK: The last time the Timbers competed in the US Soccer santioned competition was in 2023. Portland advanced to the Round of 32 before falling to Real Salt Lake, 4-3 at Providence Park.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Felipe Mora
The center forward currently leads the Timbers in goals scored (5) in 2025 after 11 MLS regular season matches. He ranks third on the Timbers all-time scorer list with a total of 43 goals. He climbed to the third place position on April 19 after recording a brace in the team’s 3-3 draw against LAFC.
