PRESEASON RECAP | Timbers roar back to defeat Chicago Fire 4-3 in Coachella Valley Invitational

Mora tallies brace as Portland scores four second-half goals

INDIO, Calif. – Felipe Mora tallied a brace – including scoring a stoppage-time game-winner – as the Portland Timbers came from behind to explode for four second-half goals in a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Fire in the 2026 Coachella Valley Invitational Saturday morning at the Empire Polo Club.

Antony and Gage Guerra joined Mora on the scoresheet as the Timbers closed out their 2026 preseason, presented by Old Trapper Beef Jerky.

MATCH REPLAY

Tournament Takeaways

The Timbers scored six goals at the Coachella Valley Invitational from four different players (Felipe Mora – 2, Kristoffer Velde – 2, Antony – 1, Gage Guerra – 1). Mora notched a brace in today’s match and Velde registered a brace against the San Jose Earthquakes (Feb. 11). Antony led the team in goal contributions with three (1g, 2a), tallying a goal and an assist in today’s match and an assist against San Jose (Feb. 11). Gage Guerra also recorded a goal and an assist today against the Chicago Fire.

Goalkeeper James Pantemis started two of the three preseason matches for Portland, keeping a clean sheet in his first appearance against D.C. United on Feb. 7. Portland’s three newest signings, Cole Bassett, Alex Bonetig and Brandon Bye, all debuted for the Green and Gold at the Coachella Valley Invitational, starting two matches each.

2026 MLS Campaign

Next up, Portland will open its 2026 MLS campaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, playing host to Eastern Conference opponent Columbus Crew at Providence Park on Black Excellence Night (7:30pm PT, TICKETS). The 2026 campaign marks the Timbers’ 16th MLS campaign, and third being led by Head Coach Phil Neville.

Goal-Scoring Plays

CHI – Robin Lod (Chris Mueller), 41st minute: Chris Mueller laid a pass off to Robin Lod at the top of the box. Lod took one touch and finished a shot into the lower-right corner of the net. 

POR – Antony (Gage Guerra), 47th minute: From the right sideline, Gage Guerra slipped a through ball past the Chicago defense and into the path of Antony, who dribbled into the box and slotted a low shot to the far corner of the goal. 

POR – Gage Guerra, 56th minute: Gage Guerra pounced on a rebounded shot in the box and headed it into the back of the net. 

CHI – Chris Mueller, 62nd minute: Chris Mueller received the ball with his back to goal in the box, turned and placed a right footed shot into the far post corner of the net. 

POR – Felipe Mora (Antony), 75th minute: Antony collected the ball near the endline and played a pinpoint pass back across the box for Felipe Mora to take one touch and fire a volley inside of the of post. 

CHI – Maren Hailie-Sellassie (Robin Lod), 87th minute: Robin Lod controlled the ball in a crowded box and played it off for Maren Hailie-Sellassie, who finished a first-time strike. 

POR – Felipe Mora (Ariel Lasster), 90+1 minute: Ariel Lassiter delivered a Portland corner kick into the middle of the box and Felipe Mora headed it right on frame.

Next Game

The Timbers will open their 2026 MLS campaign at Providence Park on Saturday, February 21, at 7:30pm PT, hosting Eastern Conference opponent Columbus Crew. All matches this season will be available to watch on Apple TV, with local radio broadcasts available on 105.1 FM/1080 AM The Fan (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

2026 Coachella Valley Invitational - Portland Timbers vs. Chicago Fire FC

Feb. 14, 2026 – Empire Polo Club (Indio, Calif.)

Scoring Summary:
CHI: Lod (Mueller), 41
POR: Antony (Guerra), 47
POR: Guerra, 56
CHI: Mueller, 62
POR: Mora (Antony), 75
CHI: Hailie-Selassie (Lod), 87
POR: Mora (Lassiter), 90+1

Misconduct Summary:
CHI: Barroso (caution), 30

Lineup
POR: GK Pantemis, D Bye (Jura, 77), D Surman, D Bonetig (K. Miller, 70), D Fory, M Bassett, M Chara (Ortiz, 70), M Lassiter (Mora, 46), M Velde, M Antony (Lassiter, 77), F Kelsy (Guerra, 46)

Subs: GK Muse, GK Joseph, GK Sulte, D Ondo, D Smith, M Fernandez-Kim, M Izoita, M Nuñez, M VanVoorhis, M Santos