Portland Locks Down Eight-Year MLS Veteran
The Timbers just made a serious play to shore up their backline. Brandon Bye, a battle-tested right back with nearly a decade of MLS experience under his belt, is heading to the Pacific Northwest after spending his entire professional career with the New England Revolution.
Bye comes to Portland on a free transfer, signing a deal that runs through December 2027 with a club option extending into mid-2028. Not a bad pickup for a squad that needed defensive reinforcements after an eighth-place Western Conference finish.
From Foxborough to Rose City
The 30-year-old defender was the eighth overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, and he’s been grinding it out with the Revs ever since. Over 214 appearances in New England, Bye contributed 10 goals and 20 assists while helping the club capture the 2021 Supporters’ Shield.
Portland GM Ned Grabavoy didn’t hide his excitement about adding a player with that kind of résumé. The front office believes Bye’s experience will immediately elevate the competition in training and provide a proven option across the defensive line.
“Brandon provides us with an experienced option across our backline as we look to strengthen our defensive group ahead of next season. His ability and experience will help drive competition, and we believe he will settle in quickly with our group.”
Competition at Right Back
Juan Mosquera held down the right fullback spot for the Timbers last season, but Bye’s arrival creates a legitimate battle for minutes. That’s exactly what Portland needs after getting bounced in Round One of the playoffs by expansion side San Diego FC, following a Wild Card victory over Real Salt Lake.
Bye brings versatility, too. He can slot in at multiple positions across the back four, giving head coach the kind of tactical flexibility that every gaffer dreams about during the grind of a long season.
With nearly 215 regular-season matches in his rearview mirror and a Supporters’ Shield on his resume, Bye isn’t coming to Portland to sit on the bench. He’s here to win, and the Timbers faithful should be pumped about what that veteran presence could mean for a squad looking to make noise in 2026.
