This article needs additional citations for verification .(February 2022) |
2022 season | |||
---|---|---|---|
President | Merritt Paulson | ||
Head coach | Giovanni Savarese | ||
Stadium | Providence Park Portland, Oregon (Capacity: 25,218) | ||
Major League Soccer | Conference: 8th Overall: 15th | ||
MLS Cup Playoffs | Did not qualify | ||
U.S. Open Cup | Round of 32 | ||
Cascadia Cup | 1st | ||
Highest home attendance | 24,534 (4/3 v. LAG) | ||
Lowest home attendance | 22,228 (5/22 v. PHI) | ||
Average home league attendance | 23,341 | ||
Biggest win | POR 7–2 SKC (5/14) | ||
Biggest defeat | DAL 4–1 POR (3/19) | ||
| |||
The 2022 Portland Timbers season was the club's 36th season of existence and the 12th season for the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The season covers the period from the end of the Timbers' last match in MLS Cup 2021 to the team's end of the season in October 2022.
The Timbers finished fourth in the Western Conference in the 2021 MLS season, advancing to the MLS Cup Final (which they hosted) where they lost on penalties to New York City FC.
Most of the season focused on fan discontent, with many supporters withholding season ticket pledges and attendance lagging—partially due to the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-cutting, but also due to a large-scale abuse scandal coming from the NWSL and sister club Portland Thorns, which directly impacted the Timbers organization.
After a report commissioned by U.S. Soccer dropped on October 3, even more fan pressure began to mount. The report named the three men at the helm of the Timbers/Thorns organization as part of the problems brought about in the scandal: club owner Merritt Paulson, Timbers GM Gavin Wilkinson (who also held the same role for the Thorns until stepping aside in 2021), and president Mike Golub. The report cited Wilkinson's treatment of a former Thorns player and endorsement of disgraced ex-coach Paul Riley—who was accused of sexual abuse by multiple players—as well as Golub's sexually inappropriate conduct toward another former Thorns coach and Paulson's failure to act upon these accusations. [1] [2] The report led to Paulson stating he would recuse himself, Wilkinson and Golub of Thorns duties. On October 5, the club fired both Wilkinson and Golub, [3] with Ned Grabavoy assuming Timbers roster decisions in the interim.
The Timbers were in position at the final matchday to qualify for the playoffs, but held off qualification to the final matchday due to losing at home against Los Angeles FC (which helped LAFC clinch the Supporters' Shield). They were eliminated by Real Salt Lake in the last game of the season following a 3–1 defeat at America First Field, finishing the season on 46 points, one fewer than RSL. [4]
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (January 2022) |
No. | Name | Nat | Positions | Since | Date of birth (Age) | Signed from | Games | Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Goalkeepers | ||||||||
26 | Hunter Sulte (HG) | GK | 2019 | April 25, 2002 | Portland Timbers 2 | |||
31 | Aljaž Ivačič | GK | 2019 | December 29, 1993 | NK Olimpija Ljubljana | |||
Defenders | ||||||||
Midfielders | ||||||||
Date | Position | Player | Previous club | TAM | GAM | Notes | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 25, 2022 | GK | Justin Vom Steeg | LA Galaxy II | [6] | |||
February 1, 2022 | DF | David Ayala | Estudiantes | [7] | |||
February 17, 2022 | MF | Justin Rasmussen | Grand Canyon Antelopes | 2022 MLS SuperDraft pick | [8] | ||
February 25, 2022 | FW | Diego Gutierrez | Creighton | 2021 MLS SuperDraft pick | [9] |
Date | Position | Player | Destination club | TAM | GAM | Notes | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 21, 2022 | GK | Jeff Attinella | N/A | N/A | N/A | Retired | [10] |
December 13, 2021 | MF | Jorge Gonzales | Louisville City FC | N/A | N/A | Declined Option | [11] |
December 13, 2021 | DF/MF | Ismaila Jome | Portland Timbers 2 | N/A | N/A | Declined Option | [11] |
December 13, 2021 | MF | Manny Perez | Louisville City FC | N/A | N/A | Declined Option | [11] |
January 20, 2022 | MF | Diego Valeri | Club Atlético Lanús | N/A | N/A | Mutual Agreement | [12] |
February 10, 2022 | ST / W | Andy Polo | Club Universitario de Deportes | N/A | N/A | Contract Terminated [A] | [13] |
Round | Position | Player | College | Other club | Notes | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 (27) | Justin Rasmussen | DF | Grand Canyon | Orange County SC U-23 | [15] | |
2 (55) | Julian Bravo | DF | Santa Clara | FC Golden State | [15] | |
3 (83) | Sivert Haugli | DF | Virginia Tech | Des Moines Menace | [15] |
The Timbers began their preseason on January 18, 2022. [16] On January 26, 2022, the Timbers announced that the club will host a Preseason Tournament. [17]
January 26 Desert Showcase | Seattle Sounders FC | 0–0 | Portland Timbers | Tucson, Arizona |
6:00 PM PST | Report | Stadium: Kino Sports Complex | ||
Note: This match was originally scheduled to have the Sounders competing with Real Salt Lake but RSL opted out of the match, citing scheduling conflicts and technical considerations. Real Salt Lake will instead compete later in February in another tournament hosted by the Timbers. [18] [17] |
February 3 | Portland Timbers | 2–2 | Sporting Kansas City | Chandler, Arizona |
10:00 AM PST | Quinn 51' McGraw 79' Mora 90+1' | POR Report SKC Tweet | Isimat-Mirin 18' Russell 34' Ndenbe 48' Freeman 57' Hernández 90' | Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex at Wild Horse Pass |
February 13 | Portland Timbers | 1–0 | Minnesota United FC | Portland, Oregon |
12:00 PM PST | Moreno 5' | Report | Stadium: Providence Park |
February 16 | Portland Timbers | 1–3 | Viking FK | Portland, Oregon |
7:30 PM PST |
| Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 7,169 |
February 19 | Portland Timbers | 3–0 | Real Salt Lake | Portland, Oregon |
5:00 PM PST | Paredes 72' Niezgoda 74' (pen.) Tuiloma 90+2' | Report | Stadium: Providence Park |
Win Draw Loss Upcoming fixture
Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | Minnesota United FC | 34 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 48 | 51 | −3 | 48 | Qualification for the first round |
7 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 43 | 45 | −2 | 47 | |
8 | Portland Timbers | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 53 | 53 | 0 | 46 | |
9 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC [lower-alpha 1] | 34 | 12 | 15 | 7 | 40 | 57 | −17 | 43 | Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions League [lower-alpha 2] |
10 | Colorado Rapids | 34 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 46 | 57 | −11 | 43 |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
13 | Orlando City SC (U) | 34 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 44 | 53 | −9 | 48 | Qualification for the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League [lower-alpha 1] |
14 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 43 | 45 | −2 | 47 | |
15 | Portland Timbers | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 53 | 53 | 0 | 46 | |
16 | Columbus Crew | 34 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 46 | 41 | +5 | 46 | |
17 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC [lower-alpha 2] (V) | 34 | 12 | 15 | 7 | 40 | 57 | −17 | 43 | Qualification for the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League [lower-alpha 3] |
All matches are in Pacific time [19]
February 261 | Portland Timbers | 2–2 | New England Revolution | Portland Oregon |
4:30 PM PT | Van Rankin 22' Asprilla 28', 60' Tuiloma 53' Y. Chará 78' Bravo 84' | Report | Bye 41' Lletget 63' McNamara 70' Polster 76' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 23,411 Referee: Chris Penso |
March 62 | Los Angeles FC | 1–1 | Portland Timbers | Los Angeles, California |
7:00 PM PT |
| Report | Stadium: Banc of California Stadium Attendance: 22,102 Referee: Ismail Elfath |
March 123 | Portland Timbers | 1–0 | Austin FC | Portland Oregon |
7:30 PM PT | Report |
| Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 22,795 Referee: Joseph Dickerson |
March 194 | FC Dallas | 4–1 | Portland Timbers | Frisco, Texas |
5:30 PM PT | Ferreira 26', 30', 36' Velasco 44' Nanu 76' Arriola 77' | Report | Niezgoda 61' | Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Texas) Attendance: 19,096 Referee: Allen Chapman |
March 275 | Portland Timbers | 1–1 | Orlando City SC | Portland, Oregon |
1:00 PM PT | Bravo 65' Van Rankin 71' 76' Paredes 80', 81' Bodily 90+4' | Report | Urso 52' Michel 90+4' Jansson 90+5' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 22,948 Referee: Marcos de Oliviera |
April 36 | Portland Timbers | 1–3 | LA Galaxy | Portland, Oregon |
1:00 PM PT | Bonilla 45+3' Blanco 48' Tuiloma 51' D. Chará 90+2' | Report | Hernández 9', 59', 57' Tuiloma 16' (o.g.) Raveloson 45+4' DePuy 48' Delgado 50' 61' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 24,534 Referee: Nima Saghafi |
April 9 7 Cascadia Cup | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2–3 | Portland Timbers | Vancouver, British Columbia |
7:00 PM (PDT) | Dájome 76', 88' Gauld 90+6' (pen.) | Report | Mabiala 6' Van Rankin 17' Asprilla 42' (pen.), 43' Niezgoda 60' Y. Chará 78' Bravo 90+3' | Stadium: BC Place Attendance: 16,772 Referee: Silviu Petrescu |
April 168 | Houston Dynamo | 0–0 | Portland Timbers | Houston, Texas |
5:00 PM CDT | Hadebe 26' 75' | Report | Paredes 16' Blanco 26' Y. Chará 49' Tuiloma 81' | Stadium: PNC Stadium Attendance: 13,650 Referee: Rosendo Mendoza |
April 239 | Portland Timbers | 0–0 | Real Salt Lake | Portland, Oregon |
7:00 PM PDT | Bravo 77' Mabiala 86' Paredes 90+' | Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 24,206 Referee: Chris Penso |
April 3010 | Colorado Rapids | 2–0 | Portland Timbers | Commerce City, Colorado |
6:00 PM PDT | Max 17' Rubio 30', 45+3' 63' Abubakar 38' Beitashour 46' Trusty 66' Yarbrough 90+3' Kaye 90+5' | Report | Williamson 29' Mabiala 29' Ivačič 66' Van Rankin 73' | Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park Attendance: 14,038 Referee: Armando Villareal |
May 711 | New York Red Bulls | 1–1 | Portland Timbers | Harrison, New Jersey |
4:00 PM PDT | Long 67' Cásseres Jr. 90+2' | Report | Williamson 46' Niezgoda 53' | Stadium: Red Bull Arena Attendance: 17,107 Referee: Joseph Dickerson |
May 1412 | Portland Timbers | 7–2 | Sporting Kansas City | Portland, Oregon |
7:00 PM PDT | Tuiloma 12', 72' Blanco 46', 52' Fogaça 56', 69' Van Rankin 64' 74' D. Chará 86' Loría 88' Moreno 90+2' | Report | Espinoza 18' Voloder 35' 78' Russell 57' Tzionis 75' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 23,503 Referee: Victor Rivas |
May 1813 | San Jose Earthquakes | 3–2 | Portland Timbers | San Jose, California |
7:30 PM PDT | Yueill 31' Monteiro 44', 80' Remedi 59' M. Lopez 66' | Report | Paredes 18' Župarić 35' Tuiloma 56' Rasmussen 70' Williamson 90+5' | Stadium: PayPal Park Attendance: 11,788 Referee: Lukasz Szpala |
May 2214 | Portland Timbers | 0–2 | Philadelphia Union | Portland, Oregon |
7:00 PM PDT | D. Chará 43' | Report | Gazdag 5' Harriel 18' Santos 48' Carranza 81' Burke 85' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 22,288 Referee: Allen Chapman |
May 2815 | Inter Miami CF | 2–1 | Portland Timbers | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
8:00PM EDT | Duke 14' Campana 27' Taylor 59' Callender 88' Higuaín 90+1' | Report | Paredes 27' Mabiala 35' Župarić 64' Tuiloma 78' | Stadium: DRV PNK Stadium Attendance: 11,161 Referee: Chris Penso |
June 1816 | LA Galaxy | 1–1 | Portland Timbers | Carson, California |
2:00PM PDT | DePuy 37' Grandsir 58' Joveljić 88', 89' | Report | Mabiala 10' Chará 38' Fogaça 76' | Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park Attendance: 21,414 Referee: Joe Dickerson |
June 2517 | Portland Timbers | 3–0 | Colorado Rapids | Portland, Oregon |
7:30 PM PDT | Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 23,448 Referee: Rosendo Mendoza |
June 2918 | Portland Timbers | 2–1 | Houston Dynamo FC | Portland, Oregon |
7:30 PM PDT | Blanco 17' Župarić 27' Moreno 34' (pen.), 36', 42' Tuiloma 54' 75' Williamson 72' | Report | Rodríguez 21' Zeca 34' Hadebe 44' Quintero 65' Vera 69' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 22,932 Referee: Lukasz Szpala |
July 319 | Nashville SC | 2–2 | Portland Timbers | Nashville, Tennessee |
5:30 PM PDT | Davis 18' Mukhtar 57' Zimmerman 77' | Report | Ayala 28' McGraw 51' Asprilla 64' (pen.) Niezgoda 69' | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 28,387 Referee: Armando Villarreal |
July 920 Cascadia Cup | Seattle Sounders FC | 0–3 | Portland Timbers | Seattle, Washington |
1:30 PM PDT | Ragen 45+2' 46' Roldan 70' Tolo 81' | Report | Williamson 6' Niezgoda 24' Y. Chará 57' Moreno 82' (pen.) Asprilla 85', 85' D. Chará 87' | Stadium: Lumen Field Attendance: 47,722 Referee: Chris Penso |
July 1721 | Portland Timbers | 1–1 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Portland, Oregon |
7:30 PM (PDT) | Van Rankin 44' Mora 82' (pen.) Župarić 84' Blanco 90' | Report | White 32' Cavallini 46' Raposo 48' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 24,337 Referee: Ramy Touchan |
July 2322 | Portland Timbers | 2–1 | San Jose Earthquakes | Portland, Oregon |
7:30 PM PDT | Van Rankin 39' Y. Chará 40' Bravo 41' Niezgoda 53' Asprilla 67', 71' | Report | Kikanovic 42' Nathan 49' Remedi 53' Yueill 78' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 23,795 Referee: Jon Freemon |
July 3023 | Minnesota United FC | 4–4 | Portland Timbers | St. Paul, Minnesota |
12:00 PM PDT | Fragapane 9' Hlongwane 21' Amarilla 41', 69' Boxall 53' Arriaga 72' Benítez 75' Reynoso 90' Lod 90+3' | Report | Blanco 1', 50' D. Chará 18' Niezgoda 53' Y. Chara 62' Lawrence 65' (o.g.) Ayala 73' Asprilla 83' | Stadium: Allianz Field Attendance: 19,792 Referee: Victor Rivas |
August 324 | Portland Timbers | 1–1 | Nashville SC | Portland, Oregon |
7:30 PM PDT | Moreno 27' McGraw 90' | Report | Bunbury 20', 67' Zimmerman 45+1' Mukhtar 59' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 23,101 Referee: Silviu Petrescu |
August 625 | Portland Timbers | 1–1 | FC Dallas | Portland, Oregon |
7:30PM PDT | Asprilla 24' Williamson 78' Loria 90+6', 90+6' | Report | Twumasi 74' Hedges 90+5' Chará 90+10' (o.g.) | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 24,114 Referee: Ted Unkel |
August 1326 | Toronto FC | 3–1 | Portland Timbers | Toronto, Ontario |
4:30 PM PDT | MacNaughton 14' Osorio 41', 68' Mavinga 67' Insigne 79' Bernardeschi 85', 87' | Report | Van Rankin 73' | Stadium: BMO Field Attendance: 28,598 Referee: Nima Saghafi |
August 2127 | Sporting Kansas City | 4–1 | Portland Timbers | Kansas City, Kansas |
4:55 PM PDT | Agada 31', 75' Fontàs 40' Thommy 42' Sweat 78' | Report | McGraw 57' D. Chará 86' Blanco 90' | Stadium: Children's Mercy Park Attendance: 17,348 Referee: Armando Villarreal |
August 2628 Cascadia Cup | Portland Timbers | 2–1 | Seattle Sounders FC | Portland, Oregon |
7:00 PM PDT | Blanco 11' Asprilla 41' Williamson 45+2' Blanco 51' McGraw 78' | Report | Gómez 8' Lodeiro 20' Leyva 23' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 25,218 Referee: Geoff Gamble |
August 3129 | Austin FC | 1–2 | Portland Timbers | Austin, Texas |
6:00 PM PDT | Urruti 30' Perreira 45+5' Ring 65' Driussi 79' | Report | Tuiloma 16' Župarić 42' Williamson 67' McGraw 73' | Stadium: Q2 Stadium Attendance: 20,738 Referee: Chris Penso |
September 430 | Portland Timbers | 2–1 | Atlanta United FC | Portland, Oregon |
2:30 PM PDT | Moreno 38' (pen.) Asprilla 78', 82' (pen.) | Report | Martínez 88' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 24,438 Referee: Jon Freemon |
September 1031 | Portland Timbers | 1–0 | Minnesota United FC | Portland, Oregon |
7:00 PM CDT | Bravo 43' Asprilla 61' McGraw 85' | Report | Lawrence 88' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 25,019 Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. |
September 1832 | Columbus Crew | 1–1 | Portland Timbers | Columbus, OH |
4:30 PDT | Morris 10' Molino 36' Hernández 90+3' | Report | Chara 25' Tuiloma 45' Mabiala 66' Moreno 71' Moreno 90+5' | Stadium: Lower.com Field Attendance: 20,421 Referee: Victor Rivas |
October 233 | Portland Timbers | 1–2 | Los Angeles FC | Portland, Oregon |
12:00 PM PDT | Paredes 48' Župarić 63' Asprilla 81' | Report | Vela 51' Segura 57' Murillo 90+1' Bouanga 90+5' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 25,218 Referee: Ismail Elfath |
October 934 | Real Salt Lake | 3–1 | Portland Timbers | Sandy, Utah |
2:00 PM PDT | Savarino 19' Rubin 48', 67' Hidalgo 82' | Report | Ayala 27' Asprilla 87' Blanco 88' | Stadium: America First Field Attendance: 21,333 Referee: Armando Villarreal |
Win Draw Loss Upcoming fixture
The list is sorted by shirt number when total goals are equal.
Rnk | Pos | No. | Player | MLS | MLS Cup Playoffs | Champions League | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Timbers Army is an independent supporters group of Portland Timbers, a soccer club in Major League Soccer—the top tier of the United States soccer pyramid. Its members are known for their loud, enthusiastic support and the raucous atmosphere they create at Timbers games. Centered in section 107 of Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, the Army has grown steadily over the years to encompass much of the north end of the stadium.
Gavin Wilkinson is a former New Zealand footballer who served as general manager and President of Soccer for the Portland Timbers from 2009 to 2022.
Henry Merritt Paulson III is an American businessman who is the minority owner of Peregrine Sports, LLC, which owns the operating rights to the Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team. He and his company also founded and formerly owned Portland Thorns FC, a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team; both clubs are based in Portland, Oregon.
The Portland Timbers are an American professional men's soccer club based in Portland, Oregon. The Timbers compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The Timbers have played their home games at Providence Park since 2011, when the team began play as an expansion team in the league.
The 2017 Portland Timbers season was the 31st season in their existence and the 7th season for the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The season covers the period from November 16, 2016 to the end of MLS Cup Playoffs.
The 2019 Real Salt Lake season was the team's 15th year of existence, and their 15th consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top division of the American soccer pyramid.
The 2019 LA Galaxy season was the club's twenty-fourth season in existence, their twenty-fourth in Major League Soccer.
The 2020 Real Salt Lake season was the team's 16th year of existence, and their 16th consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top division of the American soccer pyramid.
The 2020 LA Galaxy season was the club's twenty-fifth season of existence, their twenty-fifth in Major League Soccer.
The 2020 season was the San Jose Earthquakes' 38th year of existence, their 23rd season in Major League Soccer and their 13th consecutive season in the top-flight of American soccer.
The 2021 LA Galaxy season was the club's 26th season of existence, and their 26th in Major League Soccer, the top-tier of the American soccer pyramid. LA Galaxy played its home matches at the stadium Dignity Health Sports Park in the LA suburb of Carson, California. The Galaxy attempted to make the playoffs after failing to qualify in 2020, but were ultimately unsuccessful.
The 2021 Colorado Rapids season was the club's twenty-sixth season of existence and their twenty-sixth consecutive season in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of American soccer.
The 2021 Real Salt Lake season was the team's 17th year of existence, and their 17th consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top division of the American soccer pyramid. RSL entered the 2021 season looking to rebound from a tumultuous 2020 season, having finished near the bottom of the table and endured the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic continued to have a significant impact on MLS in 2021, causing the season's start to be delayed to mid-April instead of the traditional first weekend in March, a reworked schedule that focused heavily on intra-conference play to reduce travel, and stadiums at reduced capacity. The state of Utah allowed RSL to open the season with Rio Tinto Stadium at 50% capacity. The 2021 Major League Soccer season began on April 16, 2021, though RSL did not begin their season until the following week, April 24, having had a bye in the opening weekend due to the odd number of teams in MLS in 2021.
The 2021 Sporting Kansas City season was the twenty-sixth season of the team's existence in Major League Soccer and the eleventh year played under the Sporting Kansas City moniker. The season began on April 17.
The 2021 Portland Timbers season was the club's 35th season of existence and the 11th season for the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The season covers the period from the end of the Timber's last match in MLS or MLS Playoffs in 2020 to their final match in MLS Cup Plays on December 11, 2021.
The 2021 Minnesota United FC season was the club's twelfth season of existence, and fifth in Major League Soccer. Their season began on April 16, 2021 where they lost to the Seattle Sounders FC 4-0 in Seattle. The club will play its home matches at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The club reached the MLS Cup Playoffs for a third consecutive year, but lost in their first match to the Portland Timbers.
The 2022 LA Galaxy season was the club's 27th season of existence, and their 27th in Major League Soccer, the top-tier of the American soccer pyramid. LA Galaxy played its home matches at Dignity Health Sports Park in the LA suburb of Carson, California. The Galaxy attempted to make the playoffs after failing to qualify in 2021, also attempted to win their MLS leading 6th MLS Cup, and make their first appearance in the MLS Cup since 2014.
The 2022 Real Salt Lake season was the team's 18th year of existence, and their 18th consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top division of the American soccer pyramid. On December 13, 2021, RSL hired Pablo Mastroeni to be the sixth manager in club history, removing the interim tag he had held since taking over for Freddy Juarez on August 27, 2021.
The 2022 season was Seattle Sounders FC's 14th in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of American club soccer. It was the 39th season played by a professional team bearing the Sounders name. The team was under the management of Brian Schmetzer in his sixth full MLS season as head coach of the Sounders.
The 2022 Sporting Kansas City season was the 27th season of the team's existence in Major League Soccer and the 12th year played under the Sporting Kansas City moniker.