Seattle and San Jose Earthquakes and the Canadian Victoria Riptides in a home and away round robin tournament, known as the Western Alliance Challenge Series.

The games against the Brick Men counted in the standings which determined the end of series champions.

While the Victoria Riptides opted out of the league, the Edmonton Brick Men joined the alliance, along with the Hollywood Kickers, Los Angeles Heat and San Diego Nomads.

Portland finished fourth in the standings and missed out on the alliance's first playoff, won by the San Diego Nomads.

At the end of the season, the team lost Goulet when he finished his four years at Warner Pacific College and signed with British club AFC Bournemouth.

Portland drop to the bottom of the end of year standings despite once again having the alliance's leading scorer, Scott Benedetti with 8 goals and no assists.

At the time Benedetti was between his junior and senior year playing soccer for Clive Charles at the University of Portland.

Dixon brought more than a name change, he also injected money and a higher level of professionalism into the team, bringing former Timbers great John Bain back as a player/coach.

More importantly for Portland, the WSL added three new teams, Real Santa Barbara, Arizona Condors and Sacramento Senators.

Improving from 1-11, Portland finished the year at 11-5 and tied with the Blackhawks for the North Division lead.

The Blackhawks won the division championship, and the playoff berth, based on goal differential.

Additionally, Portland placed Keller, midfielder/coach John Bain and forward Scott Benedetti on the WSL All Star team.

In February 1990, the WSL announced it had reached a merger agreement with the American Soccer League, which had teams along the east coast.

The Portland Timbers remained in the North Division, which also had the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, Seattle Storm and newly established Salt Lake Sting and Colorado Foxes.

Kasey Keller had also moved on after playing in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and then signing with British club Millwall and Scott Benedetti had transferred to Seattle.

Leading scorer Top Goalkeeper First Team All Star This is a complete list of seasons for the WSL/APSL club.