'We’ll evaluate those things when we get through this first 14-game stretch': GM Ned Grabavoy on Portland's struggles
"We have not met expectations and standards," says the Timbers' GM.
Calls for his job weren’t about to stop Portland Timbers manager Phil Neville from appreciating a little bit of well-timed dark humor.
For those needing a refresher, the Timbers were leading Vancouver late on Saturday, then were tied late, then lost by the end — a turn of events so sharp that a Vancouver media member asked Neville about the status of his job after Portland’s 1-4-1 start.
Meeting with local media for the first time since on Tuesday, Neville was asked about the team’s vibe after such a dismal weekend. And as the coach began to speak, a dump truck at a neighboring construction site decided it was time to loudly expel its load.
“That’s how it feels,” Neville said. “That was the moment that summed up my life.”
Neville was in a good mood. He was joking. And the Timbers largely looked relaxed as they began preparations for Saturday’s home match against LAFC. The coach still believes his team showed progress on Saturday, and he continues to preach that once the club has time to acclimate after injuries and roster turnover, the Timbers can be good.
There are still 28 matches to play, after all.
But Portland’s poor start has been very real. The team sits at the bottom of the Western Conference, with a fan base that has grown increasingly vocal about the club’s direction. And while it can’t all be chalked up to injuries — or calls made by officials — Timbers general manager Ned Grabavoy spoke of patience Tuesday when asked about Neville.
There are eight games until the league takes a two-month pause for the World Cup, Grabavoy said, which gives the club a natural checkpoint for evaluation.
“Despite the injuries, despite some of the questionable and bad calls that we’ve had over the last couple of weeks that have put us in a bad position, we have not met expectations and standards for where we want to be and the position that we want and need to be in the table,” Grabavoy said. “Coaching staff is aware of that. Players are aware of that. Ultimately, it’s my job to continue to support and be committed to them, and I also want to give them the opportunity through this first 14 games to really have the full group together as well and correct and find the answers and solutions that we need to better position ourselves in the table, to get results, to pick up points. Those things need to happen.
“Everyone is being assessed. Everyone is being monitored. We’ll continue to do that and we’ll have time to make decisions if we need to. We’ll evaluate those things when we get through this first 14-game stretch.”
Unfortunately for the Timbers, they are currently in the teeth of that schedule. Saturday’s loss came against the No. 2 team in the Western Conference. Next up is LAFC, a team that has yet to allow a goal this season. A week later, Portland travels to Minneapolis to face Minnesota, another playoff contender. Then comes San Diego, the team that eliminated Portland from the 2025 playoffs.
“I’ve always found throughout my life that these are the situations that I tend to really enjoy and really thrive in,” Neville said. “You go back on all experiences and you trust yourself and believe in yourself.
“My players are giving absolutely everything and I just need to give a little bit more.”
— Tyson Alger, The I-5 Corridor