Timbers notebook: Portland begins second half with Rodriguez out, Neville suspended and Eric Miller playing for Pride
News and notes from Portland's Wednesday media availability.
BEAVERTON — It isn’t typically the assistant coach’s job to give bad news about injuries, but seeing as Dave van den Bergh has a bit of a different role this week — more on that later — and considering that Apple TV let the cat out of the bag during Sunday’s broadcast of Portland’s 2-1 win over St. Louis, the Timbers’ assistant figured it was time to be upfront about Jonathan Rodriguez.
“I think everybody kind of heard the announcement on the Apple broadcast last Sunday,” Van den Bergh said. “It doesn’t look great for Jona this season. We haven’t had an official report out yet, but it’ll be a miracle if we see Jona back on the field this season.”
It’s a blow of a headline for the Timbers. It’s also one that doesn’t feel entirely unexpected.
The Timbers’ leading goal scorer in 2024 has played just 154 minutes in six MLS appearances in 2025 and hasn’t taken the pitch with the club since playing 59 minutes against San Jose in the Open Cup on May 20 — where manager Phil Neville said afterwards that Rodriguez was really only fit to play 20 to 30 minutes.
He’s scored one goal — on a penalty — and often looked rigid on the pitch as he attempted to return from a knee injury that forced him to miss the first seven matches of the season. And while no, the Timbers aren’t happy to lose the services of a 16-goal scorer who was expected to shoulder the offensive load in 2025 following the departure of Evander, having some closure does present some positives for Portland.