The U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 welcomes Major League Soccer teams into the competition, while one MLS NEXT Pro club fights for the domestic title. Tacoma Defiance is set to face the Portland Timbers in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32.
While Cascadia matchups in MLS comprise the top league's three northwestern teams — Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, and Vancouver Whitecaps — the Sounders' affiliate, Tacoma Defiance, get in on the Cascadia action in this exciting cup tie.
The Defiance, facing the Timbers' first team for the first time in its history, could equal New York City FC II's Round of 16 run from 2024 with a win and join them as the MLS NEXT Pro team with the longest cup run.
Tacoma Defiance vs. Portland Timbers: Where to Watch
Tuesday 10 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+
Starfire Sports Complex
Tacoma Defiance enter the Round of 32 after notching a 2-1 win over Oakland Roots. The club defeated Spokane Velocity and Washington AC in previous rounds.
The Defiance are off to a Western Conference-leading start to the MLS NEXT Pro season. They enter the Round of 32 matchup coming off three straight wins in league play, and 10 goals scored across those three games.
The Timbers enter the matchup and the Open Cup competition with similarly positive results, lying third in the Western Conference after 11 games. Forward Felipe Mora leads the team in scoring with five goals in 2025. He climbed into third-place on the club's all-time scoring list with his April 19 goal against LAFC in a 3-3 draw.
Player to Watch: Osaze De Rosario
Osaze De Rosario has contributed tremendously to Tacoma Defiance's offensive surge to start the season. The son of MLS legend Dwayne De Rosario, a cup match against an MLS club could be a unique opportunity for the 23-year-old to make own his name known. He leads MLS NEXT Pro in scoring with eight goals in only five matches played. De Rosario recently locked up MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month for April.
He's not alone in leading the attack. Fellow Defiance forward Yu Tsukanome is right behind De Rosario on the MLS NEXT Pro scoring charts with seven goals and two assists.
