Which division to Portland Timbers play in? The Timbers play in the United Soccer Leagues First Division, which is one league below Major League Soccer, although the leagues have no connection to one another, and there isn't a promotion or relegation. How will that all change in 2011? At the tip of 2010, the Timbers will fold or transfer their franchise to a different metropolis, as will the Vancouver Whitecaps, who play in the same league as the Timbers, and can also have a major League Franchise in 2011. This will probably be much like what occurred to the Seattle Sounders after the 2008 season, when their franchise was transferred to Bremerton, Washington, simply west of Seattle, and re-branded themselves as the Kitsap Pumas, and play in the USL’s Premier Development League, which is a mostly newbie league two leagues under the first Division.