The Portland Timbers (4-7-4) emerged victorious for just the second time in 12 matches under the guidance of first-year manager Phil Neville. In a challenging stretch where the Timbers had conceded multiple goals in ten consecutive games, this win marked a significant turnaround. Sporting Kansas City (2-7-5) continued its struggles, extending their winless streak to eight games with this loss.
Felipe Mora opened the scoring in the 51st minute, netting his seventh goal of the season with an assist from Evander. The lead was short-lived as Sporting Kansas City's Memo Rodríguez, celebrating his 100th career start, equalized in the 63rd minute with his first goal of the season, assisted by Alan Pulido.
Evander secured the decisive goal in the 79th minute, his sixth of the season, with assists from Mora and Jonathan Rodríguez. Rodríguez’s assist, his third of the season, complemented his five goals, highlighting the Timbers as the only team with three players scoring at least five goals this season.
Sporting Kansas City’s goalkeeper Tim Melia, the club’s all-time leader in wins, saves, and shutouts, made his team-record 250th career start and surpassed 25,000 minutes played in all competitions during the match. He finished with two saves, while his teammate Andreu Fontas reached 10,000 minutes in regular-season play.
Maxime Crépeau, the Timbers' goalkeeper, recorded one save in a first half that saw no goals. Melia’s solid performance in the first half included a key save, though he couldn’t prevent the two second-half goals.
Entering the match, the all-time series between the Timbers and Sporting Kansas City was perfectly balanced at 9-9-9. The victory tipped the scale in Portland’s favor, bringing a much-needed boost to the team’s morale.
Looking ahead, the Timbers are set to face Austin FC on Wednesday, while Sporting Kansas City will host the Vancouver Whitecaps, aiming to end their winless streak.
