How to watch today's Portland Timbers vs Columbus Crew Major League Soccer game: Live stream, TV channel, and start time

The 2026 MLS season is officially here, and you won’t want to miss the clash between the Portland Timbers and the Columbus Crew. For the 2026 season, Major League Soccer has made a major shift: every match is now included with a standard Apple TV subscription at no extra cost, removing the need for a separate MLS Season Pass.

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you are travelling abroad or just want to access your usual streaming services from a different part of the world, you may run into geo-restrictions. This is where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) comes in handy.

A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure, encrypted connection online. By virtually changing your location to a country where the game is being broadcast, you can bypass blackout restrictions and watch your favourite team live. Click here for a step-by-step guide or, alternatively, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports.

The 2026 MLS season opener at Providence Park serves as a collision between two storied franchises entering pivotal new chapters. The Portland Timbers, led by head coach Phil Neville in his third season, are looking to move past consecutive early playoff exits with a refreshed roster featuring high-profile arrivals like Cole Bassett and Brandon Bye. However, they must navigate the start of the campaign without David Da Costa (recovering from shoulder surgery) and the leadership of departed mainstays like Maxime Crépeau and Dario Župarić. Meanwhile, the Columbus Crew arrive in the Rose City under the guidance of new manager Henrik Rydström, who takes the reins from Wilfried Nancy. The Crew are transitioning into a post-Darlington Nagbe era following the legendary captain's retirement, leaning on a new tactical "evolution" and a DP trio of Diego Rossi, Dániel Gazdag, and Wessam Abou Ali to spoil Portland’s 100th-anniversary stadium celebrations.

Portland Timbers vs Columbus Crew kick-off time

Today's game between Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew will kick-off at 22 Feb 2026, 03:30.

Getty Images

Team news & squads

Providence Park will see two drastically different lineups from the last time these sides met, as both clubs navigate significant offseason transitions. Portland Timbers head coach Phil Neville begins his third year at the helm without several long-time stalwarts; the club recently waived star forward Jonathan Rodríguez and saw the departures of goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau and defender Dario Župarić. The Timbers will also be shorthanded due to a wave of early-season absences, including David Da Costa (recovering from shoulder surgery), Zac McGraw (back injury), and Omir Fernandez (foot injury), while Juan Mosquera serves a carry-over suspension. This opens the door for high-profile debutants like midfielder Cole Bassett and defender Brandon Bye to immediately anchor the starting XI.

The Columbus Crew enter a new era under manager Henrik Rydström, who takes over following Wilfried Nancy’s departure. The biggest story for the Crew is the absence of legendary captain Darlington Nagbe, who retired at the end of last season, leaving a leadership void now filled by new captain Sean Zawadzki. To bolster the midfield, the Crew made a massive splash just days before kickoff by signing former Barcelona and Everton midfielder Andre Gomes on a free transfer. While it remains to be seen if Gomes is match-fit for a start, the Crew's attack remains lethal with Diego Rossi, Dániel Gazdag, and Wessam Abou Ali all healthy and ready to lead the line in this 2026 opener.

Form

Head-to-Head Record

The historical record between these two sides leans in favor of the Portland Timbers, who hold an all-time advantage of 7 wins, 3 losses, and 4 draws against the Crew. Recent history has continued this trend, with Portland remaining undefeated in their last five encounters (3 wins, 2 draws). Their most recent meeting in April 2024 was a back-and-forth 2-2 thriller at Lower.com Field, while their last clash at Providence Park in July 2023 saw the Timbers edge out a 3-2 victory.

Perhaps the most iconic chapter of this matchup remains the 2015 MLS Cup Final, where Portland secured their first championship with a 2-1 win in Columbus. While both rosters have seen massive turnover since that historic night, and even since their draw last year, the Timbers have proven to be a difficult puzzle for the Crew to solve, especially in the deafening atmosphere of the Rose City.

Standings

Step-by-step VPN guide to watch Portland Timbers vs Columbus Crew today

NordVPN

1. Download & Install: Sign up to ExpressVPN or another reputable VPN service (check out GOAL's guide here) and download the app on your device.
2. Connect to a Server: Open the app and select a server location where the match is being shown (e.g. if you are in the UK but want to watch a US stream, connect to a US server).
3. Clear Cache: Sometimes your browser holds onto your old location. Clear your cookies or refresh your browser to ensure the change takes effect.
4. Start Streaming: Go to your broadcaster's website and app and enjoy the game.

How to watch on the Big Screen

Watching on your phone or laptop is fine, but live sports belongs on the big screen. Here is how to get the VPN working on your TV:

• Smart TVs & Fire Stick: Most Android-based TVs and devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast with Google TV have native VPN apps. Simply search for your VPN provider in the app store on your TV, log in, and connect just like you would on your phone.
• Apple TV, Roku & Consoles: These devices often don't support direct VPN apps. The easiest workaround is to use Smart DNS (usually found in your VPN account settings) or Mirror/Cast the stream from your VPN-connected phone or laptop to your TV.