PORTLAND, Ore. – Santiago Moreno netted an early goal in the 10th minute for the Portland Timbers on Saturday night, leading to a 1-0 victory against Sporting Kansas City. Maxime Crépeau made a significant contribution by securing his first clean sheet of the season. Crépeau, who made a total of three saves during the match, returned as the primary goalkeeper for Portland after an initial setback. Having conceded four goals in the season’s opening game, he was sidelined by an injury that allowed James Pantemis to step in. However, Pantemis has been out for the past two matches with a leg injury.
The match’s decisive moment came early when Moreno put Portland ahead. The goal was a result of David Da Costa’s precise line-drive pass, which Moreno skillfully controlled by lifting the ball into the air for himself before executing a bicycle kick from the center of the penalty area.
Sporting Kansas City struggled offensively, being held scoreless for the third time in the current season. Their last shutout loss was against Los Angeles FC, ending 2-0 on March 22.
Portland, with a record of 6-3-3, managed to bounce back after having a seven-game unbeaten streak halted in their previous match with a 4-1 defeat by San Jose. The last encounter between the Timbers and Sporting Kansas City saw Portland come out on top with a 4-2 triumph on April 13.