MLS Cup Finalists Portland Timbers Now 80-1 Odds to Win MLS Cup: Is There Value?

• The Portland Timbers are an MLS-worst 0-5-1
• The Timbers were MLS Cup finalists in 2018
• The odds on Portland winning the 2019 MLS Cup have jumped to +8000

If Portland keeps falling and the Timbers Army isn’t there to see it, does it still matter? Of course it does.

Off to an 0-5-1 start, the chances of the Timbers and their rabid fanbase returning to the MLS Cup are lengthening signficantly.

Across the leading sportsbooks, the chances of Portland repeating as Western Conference champions are slim. Portland’s MLS Cup odds have jumped to +8000.

2019 MSL Cup Odds

*Odds taken on April 15, 2019. Click the link in the table for more options. 

As recently as March 28, the Timbers were listed at +1800 to win the 2019 MLS Cup.

Timbers are MLS Road Kill

Entering the 2019 MLS season, the Timbers knew the potential for a slow start would be ripe.

While Providence Park grows, the concourses are getting an upgrade of their own, too. #RCTID pic.twitter.com/XGyhFhQVuL

— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) April 15, 2019

Due to construction at Providence Park, their home stadium, the Timbers are playing an MLS-record 12 consecutive games on the road to begin the season.

They will close with 11 of their last 12 games on their home pitch but by then, will it be too late to salvage their season?

Last year, Portland opened with five straight road games during another Providence Park renovation project. The Timbers went 0-3-2, but posted a 15-match unbeaten run once they got back on home turf.

Despite a 3-6 close to the regular season, Portland, the fifth seed in the West, charged all the way to the MLS Cup before falling 2-0 to Atlanta United.

Do They Have a Snowball’s Chance?

The season began ominously. Portland recorded a season-opening 3-3 draw against the still-winless Colorado Rapids in a snowstorm and minus-9 temperatures. It was the coldest game in MLS history.

🏆 | MLS 2019

⚽️ Colorado Rapids x Portland Timbers
❄️ -9 graus pic.twitter.com/nBJ3oZnhBv

— Futmais | Menino Fut (@futtmais) March 5, 2019

Since then, it’s been a steady downhill dive for Portland. The Timbers have lost five in a row, scoring three goals while allowing 15.

There was a 3-0 loss to MLS first-year expansion side FC Cincinnati. The San Jose Earthquakes also blanked Portland 3-0 for their only victory so far this season.

Tasty Snack or Throwing Shade?

From the sublime to the ridiculous, Portland was also gripped by Popcorngate.

Left out of the side for the Timbers’ trip to San Jose, forward Lucas Melano posted a photo on his Instagram. It showed a bowl of popcorn with the Timbers game on TV in the background.

Melano wasn’t injured, wasn’t in the 18 and posted a pic of popcorn right after the match. Please advise if this is shade! @TA_Threat #RCTID pic.twitter.com/rUwCHdDrw0

— Spooky Soto 👻 (@LindsayAdaire) April 7, 2019

Eating popcorn is a popular social media meme when someone gets satisfaction from sitting and watching drama encompass others.

Don’t Bet on Better Days Ahead

After an inconsistent season resulted in an MLS Cup appearance, Portland GM Gavin Wilkinson and coach Giovanni Savarese put too much faith in the roster. Only four minor changes were made in the offseason. Consistent scorer Fanendo Adi was dealt to Cincinnati.

Am told that the Portland #Timbers have reached a deal with #Necaxa to sign Argentine Brian Fernandez. Necaxa wants to keep him through playoffs. Key to them being in third place. Portland wants him now. #MLS

— Roger Gonzalez (@RGonzalezCBS) April 15, 2019

The last time they were this bad was 2012, when they finished second-last in the West.

The Timbers have fallen. And they won’t get up.