The Timbers feel together as they embark on early-season test

"What you see now is a team that understands exactly what they do.”

BEAVERTON — There are drawbacks when facing four out of five games on the road.

For one, things don’t start easy for the Portland Timbers, with Saturday night’s match against Austin FC coming against one of MLS’ hottest clubs.

But Phil Neville didn’t quite see it that way on Thursday. Yes, the next month will be a challenge for a Timbers club that’s recently found its way into good form. Portland is on a three-game unbeaten streak, its roster is largely healthy and Neville has been particularly happy with the cohesion he’s seen from a young group.

And that last part is what gets him excited about this upcoming road trip.

See, Portland’s manager knew one of his biggest challenges in his second year with the club would be improving the overall togetherness of the group. The Timbers were often electric in an up-and-down 2024, but on numerous occasions during the season Neville commented on talent-versus-chemistry.

“I thought we had some brilliant individuals,” Neville said. “But maybe we didn’t have everyone pulling in the same direction.”