On December 12, 2016, the Portland Timbers announced their first roster moves for the off season by exercising options on Zarek Valentin and Ben Zemanski and declining options on Nick Besler, Neco Brett, Wade Hamilton, Chris Klute, Chris Konopka, Ben Polk, Jermaine Taylor and Andy Thoma.

On December 21, 2016, MLS announced the home opener for each team, having the Portland Timbers host Minnesota United FC as the first match of the league for the 2017 season.

On December 22, 2016, the Portland Timbers signed Costa Rican defensive midfielder David Guzmán from Deportivo Saprissa.

On January 17, 2017, the Portland Timbers selected Russell Cicerone and Romilio Hernandez in the fourth and final round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

The Timbers would shortly answer back with a goal from trialist Ordain in the 80th minute with an assist from Ben Zemanski.

On February 2, 2017, the Portland Timbers signed winger Sebastián Blanco from San Lorenzo as a Designated Player.

On February 3, 2017, the Portland Timbers signed Lawrence Olum from Sporting Kansas City and Nat Borchers announced his retirement from soccer.

On February 4, 2017, the Portland Timbers played their final match for the Desert Friendlies, taking on their main rivals, the Seattle Sounders.

Diego Chará would be sent off in the 42nd minute from an elbow to the face foul after the referee used the new experimental replay system that is being used in MLS preseason.

Shortly after in the 43rd minute, Joao Plata would score a goal from a free kick due to Chará's foul.

On February 12, 2017, the Portland Timbers continued their preseason tournament by taking on one of the newest MLS expansion clubs, Minnesota United FC.

Finally in the 84th minute Fanendo Adi would score a cheeky back heel goal, assisted by Alvas Powell and Sebastián Blanco to equalize the Timbers.

Cristian Techera would be the loan scorer for Vancouver in the 79th minute, giving Portland their first preseason victory of the 2017 season.

On February 25, 2017, the Portland Timbers traveled to Carson, California to play their final preseason match for 2017 against LA Galaxy.

Fanendo Adi would receive a brace with the first goal in the 29th minute, assisted by Diego Valeri and David Guzmán.

Daniel Steres would be the loan goal scorer for LA, giving Portland their first preseason road victory with a final score of 2–1.

On March 3, the Timbers opened the 2017 MLS Season at home against new expansion side, Minnesota United FC.

The Timbers Army sung the national anthem as tradition since the first MLS match, then raised a Bob Ross "Happy Little Trees" themed tifo.

Timber's new center back Lawrence Olum would score the first goal of the season, assisted by Vytas and Diego Valeri in the 14th minute.

Shortly after the start of the 2nd half, Valeri would score in the 47th minute, assisted by their newly acquired Designated Player, Sebastián Blanco.

Christian Ramirez, assisted by Johan Venegas, gave Minnesota United FC their first goal in Major League Soccer history.

The Timbers would start the season off strong with 3 points and a +4 goal differential, currently putting them first on the overall table after winning 5–1.

On March 12, Portland traveled to Carson, California for their first road match of the season to take on LA Galaxy.

Just before the end of the 1st half, Houston would get another goal, from Romell Quioto, assisted by Alberth Elis in the 45+2 minute of stoppage time.

In the 58th minute, the Timbers would bounce back to equalize the match with a header from Valeri, assisted by Zarek Valentin and Fanendo Adi.

In the 66th minute, the Timbers would take control of the match with a goal from David Guzmán from an fantastic pass from Darlington Nagbe who would later be credited for an assist.

The Timbers would continue their win streak with a 4–2 victory making a total 9 points (+7 goal differential) and currently hold first place overall for the 3rd consecutive week.

In the 46th minute, Julian Gressel, assisted by Jeff Larentowicz, would send the ball past Jake Gleeson a few yards into the box.

Portland would respond in the 50th minute with a header goal from Liam Ridgewell taken from a long free kick by David Guzmán.

In the 77th minute, Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla would pass the ball to the other side of the box to Ambroise Oyongo who would finish off the match with the final goal.