Timbers with a stunning 6-0 victory against Sporting Kansas City

In a stunning display of team work and fun, the Portland Timbers made a resounding statement in their 6-0 win at Providence Park last night. Portland beating Sporting Kansas City, who sits at the bottom of the table, was expected, but the fashion in which the Timbers delivered, was a real treat for those in attendance.

Kristopher Velde started the night off with a stunning shot from distance in the 6th minute. He sent a rocket into the top right corner of the net from about 25 yards out after a shot pass from DaCosta, Velde celebrated with the classic baby bump, announcing that his wife is expecting.  This was his 4th, and best goal of the season.

Kevin Kelsy made it 2-0 in the 15th minute. Cole Bassett drove the ball into the box on the far side and a sneaky pass behind his back by David DaCosta placed the ball in line for Kelsy, who managed to get in behind the defenders for an easy left footed goal.

The only notable play by SKC in 20 minutes was when Lasse Berg earned the first yellow card in the 19th with a foul on DaCosta.

Portland was quick to reclaim the attention when they were awarded a free kick in the 22nd minute. Kelsy’s header missed, but Cole Bassett was there with a lightning bolt run for a one touch strike. Basset’s 1st goal in green made it 3-0!

Kansas City could not catch a break and caused an own goal in the 26th minute when Jake Davis got caught in the wrong spot. A deflection off a cross by Brandon Bye bounced back and forth in front of the goal before the ball ricocheted off Davis and made it 4-0.

The last 15 minutes of the 1st half were defined by yellow cards. Head referee, Ramy Touchan, booked José Caicedo in the 33rd for a foul on Shapi Suleymanov. Sporting earned two more yellows in the 41st and 45 +3.  Davis pulled down Antony directly in front of Phil Neville, and Jayden Reid pulled Bye down after the pass for the last notable play in the 3 minutes of stoppage time.

Phil made a half time substitution brining on Timbers legend, Diego Chara, for Caicedo due to the caution card. SKC also made a double substitution replacing forward Suleymanov with defender Ian James and midfielder Manu García with forward Calvin Harris.

Kansas City took the pitch for the 2nd half trying to make something happen. Dejan Joveljić’s shot in the 46th was the 1st save for James Pantemis. A quick one touch shot had James diving to his left to collect on the ground. Pantemis made his 2nd of 3 saves with a 2 handed punch away save on a shot by Capita Capemba in the 56th.

SKC had earned another caution card in the 53rd for their 4th of the match. Ian James blocked Antony’s shot that followed a Timber’s corner in the 54th. He also blocked a shot by Velde in the 58th.

Phil made a 4 man substitution in the 60th with the upcoming Wednesday and Sunday road matches on his mind. Bassett, Antony, DaCosta, and Fory were all changed out for like position players: Ortiz, Lassiter, Aravena, and Smith. SKC brought on Bassong for Berg Johnsen.

Aravena, who played with a controlled intensity, had a shot saved in the 68th by keeper Stephan Cleveland. He made the run from center field to the right side, beating his defender 1 on 1. It was a powerful strike that took quick skill from Cleveland to block.

Velde was fouled by Zorhan Bassong 2 minutes later and earned a free kick for Portland. Ari Lassiter was chosen for the free kick and sent a spectacular ball over the 3 man wall from the top of the arc. A text book placement and finish from Ari put goal #5 on the scoreboard for Portland.

The party was not over in Portland as the boys continued to push in the 2nd half. Kelsy found his brace in the 74th with Lassiter on the assist. Aravena controlled the midfield as he got the ball to Lassiter on the far corner of the box. With plenty of time, Ari set up a perfect cross to Kevin on the right side of the goal and the finish by Kelsy made it 6-0.

Sporting continued to struggle and another yellow card in the 76th for Capita Capemba was evidence of that. He was replaced during the pause by Stephen Afrifa. Afrifa made a quick impact and had 2 shots blocked by Ian Smith in the 82nd and 83rd minute. Kamal Miller had another save for Portland in the 84th.

Velde was looking for his brace with a shot in the 88th that missed and Kelsy almost had a (that which will not be named due to club lore) with a shot in the 88th that also missed.

The only way to make it a perfect night would be to have a shut out and that is exactly what James Pantemis deserved and earned with a big save in the 89th and another in the 90+3! The last time Portland has a clean sheet was in August, 2025.