Portland Timbers have made their best start to an MLS season, but Phil Neville is adamant there is still a lot of room for improvement ahead of their trip to San Jose Earthquakes.

The Timbers have racked up 18 points so far this season, losing just twice as they sit second in the Western Conference behind the Vancouver Whitecaps.

They extended their unbeaten streak to seven matches, recording a big 4-2 win over MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy last weekend.

Neville will not rest on his laurels, though, as he continues to demand improvements from Portland.

"We're a young team with phenomenal talent, with great energy, with incredible courage to play," Neville said. "With young players, we've just got to keep their feet on the ground and keep moving forward.

"Some of our counter-attacking play [against the Galaxy] was sensational. The courage to play was really good.

"The spirit of everybody from one to 20 was so good. And we're a team that's continuing to learn and improve. There's still so much to go."

San Jose have eight points fewer than Portland, sitting 11th in the West, having won just three of their games.

Since brushing aside D.C. United 6-1 on April 6, the 'Quakes have lost their last three to Los Angeles FC, Sporting Kansas City and Columbus Crew.

Head coach Bruce Arena highlighted their struggles in front of goal as the reason for their recent losses, but remains optimistic they can turn their luck around.

"Every team has things to work on," he said. "Obviously, we think we could have done a little better by finishing off our chances.

"Finishing is always an issue, but we're getting better. We're disappointed in the loss [to Columbus], but I'm pleased with the progress the team is making."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Josef Martinez

Josef Martinez has contributed to a goal in each of his last four regular-season matches, though he looked to have suffered a hamstring injury last time out.

The only Earthquakes player to record a goal contribution in five straight league games since 2019 is Cristian Espinoza (six straight) in April-May 2023.

Portland Timbers – Antony

Antony recorded assists on three of Portland's four goals last Sunday, becoming the fourth player in club history, and the first since Yimmi Chara in 2020, to record three assists in a single regular-season match.

MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN

Portland have won four straight meetings with San Jose, the longest winning streak by either team in the MLS era of the series (39 meetings since Portland joined MLS). The Timbers have won 20 of the last 29 encounters (D4 L5).

Portland's 4-2 win over the LA Galaxy was the fifth time in the last six matches that they have scored at least three goals, netting 17 times over that span. The Timbers have scored 11 times over a span of three matches in a single regular season for the first time in club history.

Meanwhile, San Jose have lost six of its last eight matches, including the last three in a row (W1 D1).

The 'Quakes have lost 31 of their 44 regular-season matches since the start of last year, the second team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) to lose 31 times in a span of 44 matches (FC Cincinnati in 2020-22).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 26.6%

Draw – 23.7%

Portland Timbers – 49.7%