While the Portland Timbers MLS season has been over for about a month now, the news is still trucking along. The Timbers signed their homegrown 'keeper to an extension, and also unveiled a new jersey sponsor. Plus: the offseason officially begins.
Bank of America to be Portland's new front-of-jersey sponsor, Tillamook sails over to the sleeve
Pour out one glass of your finest Tillamook sharp cheddar fondue folks – there's a new front of jersey sponsor in town.
The Timbers announced today a multiyear partnership to make Bank of America that new front-of-jersey sponsor for the team. It marks the first time that the financial institution will be featured on a professional sports jersey, and it will become the fourth sponsor to be shown on the front of Portland's kits.
"We’re proud to welcome Bank of America to the Timbers family, and together we are committed to making meaningful impact in our community,” said Heather Davis, CEO of the Portland Timbers. “Bank of America’s investment goes beyond the Timbers; it’s an investment in the city of Portland. This partnership will provide valuable resources and opportunities for youth in sports, local small businesses, public schools and more."
Those opportunities Davis mentioned are part of BofA's "Soccer with Us" campaign, which consists of community-focus initiatives to promote equity by making soccer more inclusive and accessible in the Oregon and Southwest Washington communities.
Some of those initiatives include the development of community futsal courts, 50 free youth soccer camps at Providence Park and in the community, scholarships to PTFC Camps, and $200,000 worth of soccer equipment donated to local schools and community groups.
The partnership and community engagement will also result in some matchday impacts, including a new "First Match Access Pass" which will provide 100 tickets per game to individuals who have never been to a match, with the intention of introducing low-income families, local youth organizations, and new residents to the game, and “Game Changers of Tomorrow”, which will identify 20 students to be given a VIP experience at a Timbers match and receive an educational grant.
The Timbers hosted a soccer clinic at Peninsula Elementary School in North Portland to kickoff the new partnership, with Timbers owner Merritt Paulson, Timbers head coach Phil Neville, goalkeeper Trey Muse, announcer Jake Zivin, and Timbers legend Diego Valeri in attendance.
Don't worry cheese-lovers, Tillamook isn't leaving either. The local creamery is transitioning to the sleeve of the jerseys, replacing TikTok as the new sleeve sponsor.
My take (that no one asked for)? Anything to invest in the community and grow the game is good! I'm glad that Bank of America is leaning in and trying to take advantage of its new position of prominence with the Timbers. For the club, after the DaBella debacle of a few years ago, this kind of partnership is sure to provide some financial security and a boost to the club in the years to come.
Aesthetically, the new logo looks... fine. It's a little big for me, and the stripes featured on the BofA logo plus the Adidas stripes makes for some stripey clutter all over the shirt. But I'm not going to lose sleep over a sponsor. The new 2026 away kits that they will adorn on the other hand... we'll see when those jerseys drop, presumably soon after the start of the new year.
You can read all about the new partnership and full list of initiatives here.
Timbers homegrown goalkeeper Hunter Sulte inks new deal with the club
Alaskan-born Hunter Sulte will remain the presumed future of the club at goalkeeper, as he has been signed to a new multi-year deal through the 2027-28 MLS season )the first full season after the MLS calendar change), with the club holding an option for the 2028-29 season.
After signing for the club as a homegrown player in 2020, Sulte has made three first team appearances. He's spent most of his time in town with Timbers2, but the past two years have seen him sent out on loan with USL side Indy Eleven. While in Indy, Sulte anchored their backline in goal and recorded 18 clean sheets over two years. He also was a key part of their run to the semifinals of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup, posting two clean sheets in four appearances.
Sulte, now 23, will join a goalkeeper room which features James Pantemis and Trey Muse. With Pants the presumed number one, Sulte will likely be battling it out with Muse (once a Sounders homegrown player, by the way) for the backup job.
If we've learned anything about Phil Neville, it's that he loves competition among his players for all places and all positions. So keep an eye on that backup battle – especially with the bevy of games and competitions Portland has in store next year.
You can read the press release about Sulte's new deal here.
Key 2026 MLS offseason dates
MLS Cup has officially been hoisted (by Lionel Messi) and the last of the awards have been awarded (MVP, also to Lionel Messi). Which means that we are officially off and running with the start of the 2026 MLS offseason.
There is always a confusing stew of Superdrafts, re-entry drafts, and dates to keep in mind during the bleak midwinter. So let's run through them and attempt to explain them:
Wednesday, December 10: Free Agency Opens
Teams can officially begin wining, dining, and signing free agents on December 10. The full list of free agents can be viewed here, and there is always some value to be found even beyond the biggest names. Timbers GM Ned Grabavoy has not been shy about signing free agents, so don't expect the Timbers to stay quiet. Additionally, there are a handful of Timbers players out of contract and eligible for free agency, chief among them Dario Zuparic. We'll see if he stays in green & gold, or where he and other as of now former players will be playing soon.
Thursday, December 11: Re-Entry Draft (Stage 1)
I did mention there would be drafts! This draft is essentially for almost of the players who are out of contract but not eligible for MLS free agency (need to be at least 22 with at least one year of service in MLS), and will be done in reverse finish order from 2025. In stage 1 any player picked that has a contract option that was declined has to have it picked up by their new club. So stage 2 is usually more popping (if you can even, uh, say that).
Friday, December 12: Waiver Draft
Any player who does not meet either the re-entry or free agency requirements has a chance to be selected in a draft that will be conducted in, you guessed it, reverse finish order from the 2025 season.
Wednesday, December 17: Re-Entry Draft (Stage 2)
Where the real party* starts with the re-entry draft. Teams that pick players here can offer brand new restructured contracts to whomever they select, and there is sometimes a hidden gem or two to be found.
*If you really do see the re-entry draft as a party, congratulations: you might an MLS GM!
Thursday, December 18: MLS SuperDraft
The annual college draft is still here, and it is still super. MLS teams will have their chances to pick from the best of the men's college ranks to bolster their squads (or, in reality, probably their MLS Next Pro squads). This has actually been a relevant draft for the Timbers recently, with two contributors from 2025 coming via the draft in the form of Ian Smith and Gage Guerra. Neville isn't afraid to through rookies out there, so keep an eye on who Portland picks on draft day.
