Portland Timbers Snap Real Salt Lake’s Unbeaten StreakPortland Timbers Snap Real Salt Lake’s Unbeaten Streak In the pulsating atmosphere of Providence Park, the Portland Timbers extinguished Real Salt Lake’s impressive 10-game unbeaten streak on foreign soil with a resounding 3-0 victory on Saturday night. Felipe Mora ignited the Timbers’ onslaught with a clinical goal in the 3rd minute, assisted by Santiago Moreno. Moreno then etched his name on the scoresheet just three minutes into the second half, doubling the hosts’ advantage. Evander delivered the pass for Moreno’s strike, which was also assisted by Jonathan Rodríguez. Evander capped off the triumph in the final minute of regulation with a goal assisted by Antony Alves Santos. James Pantemis, the Timbers’ goalkeeper, was a formidable barrier, making three crucial saves to preserve his fourth clean sheet of the season. Zac MacMath, his counterpart from Real Salt Lake, recorded four saves. The victory marks a significant milestone for the Timbers, as Rodríguez, Mora, and Evander have all reached the 11-goal mark. This accomplishment is unprecedented in club history, with three players scoring over 10 goals in a single campaign. Real Salt Lake’s prolific trio of Cristian Arango, Andrés Gómez, and Diego Luna were kept at bay by Pantemis. Despite their efforts, they failed to find the back of the net. The setback ends Real Salt Lake’s impressive run of 11-2-6 in their last 19 games. However, they remain in contention for the Western Conference crown, tied for first place with Los Angeles FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Both teams will hit the road in their next fixtures. Real Salt Lake will face Los Angeles FC on Wednesday, while the Timbers will travel to face the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Felipe Mora scored in the 3rd minute, Santiago Moreno scored three minutes into the second half and the Portland Timbers ended Real Salt Lake’s club-record 10-game unbeaten streak on foreign soil with a 3-0 victory on Saturday night.
James Pantemis finished with three saves to earn his fourth clean sheet in his 11th start of the season for the Timbers (10-8-6), who handed Real Salt Lake (12-4-7) its second loss in its last 19 games. Real Salt Lake had not lost away since a 2-0 defeat to Inter Miami in the season opener.
Mora used Moreno’s 10th assist of the season to score his 11th goal and give the Timbers an early lead.
Moreno took passes from Evander and Jonathan Rodríguez and scored in the 48th minute for a 2-0 lead. Evander notched his 12th assist and Rodríguez caught his sixth on Moreno’s fifth goal of the season.
Evander capped the victory with his 11th goal of the season, following a pass from Antony Alves Santos in the final minute of regulation time. It was the fourth assist this season for Antony, who scored one goal in three starts and nine appearances last season — his first in the competition.
Zac MacMath stopped four shots for Real Salt Lake.
Rodríguez, Mora and Evander have all scored 11 goals, making it the first time in club history for the Timbers to have three players score more than 10 goals in a single season.
Portland Timbers midfielder Evander (10) pushes the ball forward as Real Salt Lake midfielder Emeka Eneli (14) gives chase during an MLS soccer match in Portland, Oregon, Saturday, July 13, 2024. Credit: AP/Sean Meagher
Pantemis held Real Salt Lake’s high-scoring trio in check. Cristian “Chicho” Arango entered the game with 17 goals and 11 assists, while Andrés Gómez had 11 goals and nine assists. Diego Luna began the day with a team-high 12 assists to go along with five goals. Luna became the first player in the league’s 29-year history to record multiple games with three assists before his 23rd birthday. He needs three more goals to give RSL its first three players with 20-plus goals in a single season.
Portland leads the all-time series with 14-9-10.
Real Salt Lake went 4-0-6 during its unbeaten run away from home. The club went 11-2-6 in its last 19 games to move into a three-way tie for first place in the Western Conference with Los Angeles FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy. All three leaders lost on Saturday.
Real Salt Lake will continue on the road to play Los Angeles FC on Wednesday, while the Timbers will travel to play Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.
Portland Timbers forward Jonathan Rodríguez (14) battles for possession of the ball against Real Salt Lake defender Andrew Brody (2) during an MLS soccer match in Portland, Oregon, Saturday, July 13, 2024. Credit: AP/Sean Meagher
_
