On Feburary 2nd, 2017, Sebastián Blanco signed with the Portland Timbers as a Designated Player. He arrived from San Lorenzo, also previously playing for Lanus and West Brom. The Argentine attacking midfielder also scored a goal for his country in two caps between 2009-2010. On April 29th against FC Dallas, Fanendo Adi's errant touch fell to Blanco, who turned inside and scored his first MLS goal. In June, he put Rapids midfielder Michael Arias on the turf before smashing one in the top right corner. Later in the summer, Blanco scored a match-winner on a combination with Jeremy Ebobisse. On October 15th, he notched his first brace. The first half of the brace soared in from distance off a Valeri layoff. Later in the match, Blanco showcased an absurd dribbling display as he took on four DC United defenders and tapped it into an empty net. Portland won the Western Conference with 53 points, beating the Sounders in a tiebreaker. Their run did not last long, as Houston upset them in their first aggregate series. Blanco finished his debut season with 8 goals and 8 assists. He made a team-high 33 appearances as well.
In 2018, the Timbers finished with more points than they did the previous season, yet finished in fifth rather than first. In the first fixture of the season, Blanco megged David Bingham to score in a 2-1 loss at the Galaxy. Two weeks later, he scored one of his signature left footed curler into the top left corner against FC Dallas. He has scored many goals in this exact manner during his MLS career. In the following match, Chicago allowed a 5'6 Blanco to score a rising header. Towards the end of the season, in October, Blanco lit up Real Salt Lake two games in a row. On the 6th, he scored a worm burner and a perfect weak-foot curler in a 4-1 win. Blanco scored twice and assisted one. On the 21st, Blanco scored again and assisted in a 3-0 win over RSL. In the playoffs, Blanco scored a crucial goal against Seattle in leg one, but more work was to be done in the second. Back in Seattle, he scored an even more massive goal for the Timbers as they advanced in the bracket. In the Western Conference Final, Blanco scored easily one of the best goals of his career in another important spot against SKC. He cut inside before absolutely smashing a knuckleball into the top right corner from 30 yards out. Portland advanced to MLS Cup, but that Atlanta United team would not be denied the trophy. Blanco finished with 10 goals and 11 assists, with another 3 goals in the playoffs.
In 2019, it was more of the same from the Argentine maestro. He scored in the season's first match again, this time another header in a Colorado winter wonderland. Blanco was dishing out assists all season long, tying his 2018 count of 11 helpers. His goal scoring numbers were the lowest in his first three years, but it was still a successful season. On August 18th against Atlanta, Blanco had already hit the 100-match mark for the Timbers. This time around, they finished 6th place in the West. They were unable to fend off Real Salt Lake in the first round, ending their 2019 playoff run before it started.
While 2020 was an off year for just about everyone in the world, Sebastián Blanco and the Portland Timbers were living life lavishly. In the MLS Is Back Tournament, it was clear from the start that Portland was in it to win it. Blanco helped defeat NYCFC to send his team to the semis, scoring a curling equalizer. In the semis, Blanco scored again, this time the match-winner, in headed fashion at the back post. Portland proceeded to the MLS Is Back Tournament final against Orlando City. Sebastián Blanco and his squad hoisted the trophy proudly after winning the match 2-1. Back in MLS play, Portland finished third, tied for first but losing out on tiebreakers. Blanco tragically tore his ACL in September, forcing him to miss the next 26 matches his team played.
Blanco's return in 2021 was played extremely careful and slow. He returned on June 19th, playing 10 minutes. He made seven more sub appearances before finally starting again on August 15th. In that match, he of course scored his first goal since the injury, in the Cascadia Cup no less. His deflected goal made it 2-1 Seattle, but the Timbers actually ended up getting thrashed 6-2. Two weeks later, Portland and Blanco got their revenge. Blanco's tap in was enough to win the match, they defeated the Sounders 2-0 on this occasion. The Timbers finished fourth in the Western Conference once again. Blanco had 7 goals and assists a piece in 2021. In the final two matches of the regular season, Blanco scored three times, foreshadowing his upcoming playoff performance. With their first playoff match against Minnesota tied at one, Blanco struck. Just for good luck, Blanco smashed another one in from downtown Portland to advance the Timbers in the playoffs. Portland marched to MLS Cup again, but lost in the big game once again. NYCFC got the best of them in penalties.
In April of 2022, Blanco hit 10,000 minutes played for the Timbers, cementing himself as an icon in the club's young history. It was another productive season for him, scoring 7 goals for the third straight year, upping his assist total to 8. On May 14th, a wild match broke out at Providence Park. It was 1-0 Timbers at halftime, but things changed drastically. Less than 30 seconds into the second half, Blanco scored to make it two. Five minutes later, Blanco made it 3-0 Portland. Once the 90 had passed, the Timbers found themselves celebrating a unique 7-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City. Blanco had two assists as well. On July 30th, it was a brace for Blanco versus Minnesota United. Blanco hit the side netting in just 13 seconds of play. Down 3-1 in the second half, Blanco scored a first-time finish in the bottom right corner of Dayne St. Clair. The match ended in a wild 4-4 draw. For the first time in Sebastian Blanco's Portland Timbers career, the club missed out on the playoffs. One point separated them from the seventh place playoff spot.
Here in 2023, the Timbers are exactly one point out of a playoff spot. It's been an ugly season for Portland for the most part, likely some of that can be attributed to Blanco's lack of involvement. He's struggled with knee problems this season, missing 12 games of the season. When he has played, it's been small substitute appearances, he's logged just 269 minutes. Blanco has started one match. Though, he has scored once on the season, and an important one at that. On July 15th, Blanco smashed a match-winner against the dangerous Columbus Crew into the upper 90. While Blanco has not played a whole lot of minutes lately, hopefully he can get more involved in the Timbers' final 2023 playoff push. Sebastián Blanco comes in at #85 on the list.
YEAR | CLUB | MINUTES | GOALS | ASSISTS |
2023 | POR | 269* | 1* | 1* |
2022 | POR | 1,829 | 7 | 8 |
2021 | POR | 1,182 | 7 | 7 |
2020 | POR | 665 | 2 | 5 |
2019 | POR | 2,511 | 6 | 11 |
2018 | POR | 2,564 | 10 | 11 |
2017 | POR | 2,783 | 8 | 8 |
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