Pantemis brings World Cup motivation into Timbers-Whitecaps match
With Canada hosting matches this summer, the Timbers goalkeeper is pushing for one of three roster spots.
For the record, James Pantemis thinks the Americans got lucky.
He’s a bit biased, though.
The Timbers starting goalkeeper is one of a handful of Canadian players on Portland’s roster who enjoyed bantering with their American teammates throughout the men’s hockey tournament of the Winter Olympics.
Pantemis is from Montreal, played hockey until he was 12 and clearly showcases his bona fides in acknowledging Sidney Crosby as a top-five player of all-time. He thought Canada had the better roster going in — and still does, even after the USA’s overtime win for gold.
“Definitely a sour taste with losing to the U.S.,” Pantemis said. “I backed Canada to the end. I still back Canada to the end. I still think it was very unlucky. But hopefully we can flip the script when we get another chance to play the U.S. and get the bragging rights back.”
Pantemis has been feeling patriotic as of late — it’s hard not to be in this sort of year. He was thrilled with Canada’s 21 medals and felt swept up in the same national spirit that only comes around every so often.
“It’s always special,” he said. “You want to relate to them and in a way you feel more Canadian when you see someone on that podium or you’re cheering for a speed skater to cross the line first or a skier to land their jump.
“Or in a hockey sense, make sure you win gold.”
It’s also why Pantemis is taking the coming months so seriously. This summer doesn’t just bring the World Cup, it brings the World Cup on Pantemis’ home turf. Along with the U.S. and Mexico, Canada is hosting matches in Vancouver and Toronto.
As a host nation, the Canadian men have already qualified — marking the country’s second consecutive Cup after qualifying four years ago in Qatar. Pantemis was on that roster and understands the opportunity — and responsibility — awaiting the Canadians this summer.
“The country rallies around national athletes and I think that’s something we got a taste of when we went to Qatar,” he said. “Now the fact that we have the opportunity to host a World Cup in our country and to obviously compete and inspire a younger generation that watches us and wants to be in our shoes one day … it’s an honor to feel that every time I wear the badge and crest on my chest.”
Pantemis’ route to the World Cup isn’t set. Canada will take three keepers with it into the tournament. Two of those are likely to be Dayne St. Clair and Max Crepeau — now with Orlando after Pantemis won the starting job in Portland in 2025.
That third spot, however, is up for grabs. And Pantemis, who was called up for Canada’s 10-day training camp in January, has time to prove himself.
With Crepeau gone, there’s no longer any 1A and 1B to Portland’s lineup. At 28, Pantemis is the guy, and he’s coming off a 2025 season that saw him rank in MLS’ 96th percentile in saves per 90 minutes. Last month, he made a brilliant diving save to keep Portland alive early in a 3-2 season-opening win over Columbus. Last week, his eight stops on 10 shots against Colorado was one of the few things that kept the Timbers’ 2-0 loss close.
Saturday, he faces a Vancouver Whitecaps side that’s scored a lot of goals against the Timbers over the last two seasons. With Canadian eyes watching, Pantemis could put quite the stamp on his resume if it helps the Timbers put an end to that trend.
“I have a lot of goals personally. I have a lot of goals for the team,” Pantemis said. “It’s not hard for me to find motivation.”
— Tyson Alger, The I-5 Corridor