A smile breaks through the clouds for the Portland Timbers

It could be a tough start for the Timbers, but the Portland club is building for the long haul.

PORTLAND — Three days before the season officially kicks off and three days after the deal became official, the cloud of Evander still hung over Providence Park on Thursday.

Manager Phil Neville said he no longer views the midfielder as a son.

General Manager Ned Grabavoy said he’s not surprised the Timbers’ fanbase is divided on the $12 million sale of the 2024 MVP finalist to FC Cincinnati.

Even owner Merritt Paulson, who hadn’t spoken with media in more than a year, emerged and described the offseason as “dramatic” to the reporters assembled at Portland’s media day.

“It’s about the people who want to be here,” Paulson said. “(Ned) made a tough choice with Evander and I really commend him on that. Obviously, he’s a really terrific player, a big talent, and I get it’s going to be a tough thing for fans who watched a guy who put up the numbers he did last year.

“But he also tried to leave every window we had.”